EP Review - Friends In High Places Vol. 1 - The Cabin Fever EP by Carpetface

 

Friends In High Places Vol. 1

The Cabin Fever EP

By

Carpetface

 

As you will know from my previous reviews for Carpetface, he currently involved in a number of projects. The latest of those to be released is The Cabin Fever EP.

Here he is joined by French producer Djar One, who produced and provided cuts for the project, to bring you the first in the “Friends in High Places” EP series. This first EP in the series is a brutally honest look at life in lockdown, from the viewpoint of a single father who is struggling to keep it together whilst missing the fun times and the funerals of friends and loved ones, all the time stuck in an isolated cabin.

Although the focus is such a painful subject-matter, there is plenty of innuendo-laden London slang and kind of tongue-twisting lyrical dexterity, filthy mockery, and pure Hip Hop guts you have come to feel deeply from Carpetface. The end result promises to be a deceptively enjoyable experience on a true to life rollercoaster.

 

So, let me take you track by track through this EP and with a total of seven tracks and two bonus remixes, this is more of a mini album…

It’s to open the cabin door and to immerse yourself in Cabin Fever and you are immediately up to your neck in jazzy loops, funky scratching and what at first glance is a light-hearted vibe, and to a point it is but, on a deeper note this track is like an over view of what goes on in the mind when you are being made to stay in one place not truly knowing what’s happening beyond those four walls and with your only outlet is to jot it all down or lose it. The boom bap beats hit hard on Bat Soup, a heavy track that takes you into the nightmare world and here Carpetface expertly draws you into that nightmare dream world but, in a way, you can nod ya head to while soaking up the visions of real world and the dream world and not knowing which is which until he wakes.

If you were feeling uneasy from the last track, then Secret Formula draws you deeper into that strange unreal dream world with funky beats and an almost nightmarish jazzy piano to tug at your frayed nerves, and as such this one is unrelenting and very much in-your-face with Carpetface and Djar One dragging you deeper into a surreal world that further muddies the water of what is reality. With the waters muddied we travel deep into the subject of racism with Def Definition (No One Can Breathe), As soon as the melodic jazzy intro starts you get an immediate feel for what this track is focused on and as you are about to drift away, you’re brought back to reality by the voice of former US President Trump and his outrageous ‘This is a great day’ speech regarding the death of George Floyd. Djar One’s beat hits and we get this hit of Hip Hop on the Jazz tip. The sort of beat that puts you in a chilled state of mind that will easily make you more receptive to the lyrical message you are about to receive, Racism, hate crimes and the inexcusable treatment of minorities the world over, how so many have failed to understand the true meaning behind movements such as Black Lives Matter and the failure of governments to address, suitably acknowledge the situation and even attempt to begin to redress the balance.

Angering Management (Raid Mix) sees Djar One bringing a slick head nod beat over a weird electronic type loop that has your head feeling like you’re having marbles poured over your brain from the inside out, cap that off with Carpetface’s relentless flow that hits hard against those elitist people and groups, their sickening behaviour and how they see and treat the working classes, the unemployed, the unemployable and the sick and this one will leave you questioning everything, if weren’t already. From the anger of the previous track, we slide into a chilled jazzy vibe on PEN=SWORD. The sung into has you wondering what’s to come but, fear not Carpetface drops some slick vocals that minds you the Pen is far for of a potent weapon than any sword. A person wielding a sword can wound, maim, kill, or chose to be the lenient one but, the person wielding the pen cannot only be the difference between life and death but, they can command nations, bring suffering or relief to thousands, or choose to entertain and inform the masses. The pen can turn brother against brother or bring peace to the entire planet. How you use the pen will dictate how history will remember you. The final track of the EP Done & Dusted (Fuck 2020), brings a far more light-hearted musical vibe with a slight sleighbell infusion that will have nodding and even swaying along but, the message here is still as hard and poignant then everything that has gone before and sums up this year perfectly. What more can you say?

There are also two remixes here for your listening pleasure. The first remix is the Angering Management (Empty Club Mix) and this one ups the pace and see’s Djar One adding that kinda vibe that makes you wanna bounce to this as Carpetface’s message seeps into your unconscious.

The second is Secret Formula (Zoot Remix) which chills out the musical vibe of the original with Djar One switching it up with Jazzy sax vibe and thins really adds another element as you can kick back, close your eyes, and really visualize the message here in.

So, overall, The Cabin Fever Ep perfectly encapsulates the experience of being locked down under a veil of fear. Regardless of your thoughts on the origins of the pandemic and how various governments have handled that situation and the other situations that have arisen during these times, the feeling of being told you cannot leave your own home and see loved ones, friends and so on has been a truly surreal and mentally challenging time for us all.

Over those times of lock down and pandemic restrictions we have seen so much happen from the ridiculous panic buying situations to racism and the suffering and loss of those we loved. As a father I  truly understand the emotions contained within this release. The pandemic has separated our household from loved ones, and we have experienced the loss of friends and those closest to us.

What is a key aspect of this release is that The Cabin Fever EP shows Carpetface has true understanding of the effect the events of this year has had on the mental health of everyone? Whilst it has been awful to see the pain, suffering and death of those to the virus, it has been equally, if not more so, to understand the secret pain people have been through whilst being unable to access services and people who are important to their survival and it has added a depth of pain to many when those in pain have chosen to leave this world.

The Cabin Fever EP is an entertaining and bleak look at 2020. Not your average listening material but, then 2020 has not been your average year and sometimes we need to take a long hard look at the world and people around us. Everyone has had it tough this year, some more than others and what I see Carpetface brings us on this EP is something that everyone can relate to on some level and asks us to look back at the year and the challenges we have all faced and then, as we walk forward, to never forget these times but, to use these experiences to make the future a brighter place for everyone, especially those who find it hard to open up, only together can we achieve this.

Djar One’s production and cuts really provide the perfect back drop for Carpetface. There are times that musically he matches the exact tone of what Carpetface is putting across verbally, while at other times he creates a musical sound scape that is almost a complete juxtaposition to the dark brooding lyrical content. These two always work so well together and complementing each other’s style with aplomb.  

Also, a shout needs to go out to #Jrt for the nightmarish cover art which must surely match the dark visions created by struggles created during 2020.

 

The Cabin Fever EP is out now on NEWBIAS /Beats House Records.

Check the Bandcamp link below to get your copy the The Cabin Fever EP and all links to connect with Carpetface and Djar One.

On that Note,

I’m outta here, Peace…

Steve

Bandcamp Download Link:

https://carpetface.bandcamp.com/album/friends-in-high-places-vol-1-the-cabin-fever-ep-prod-cuts-djar-one

Agent Invasion & Creatures of the Night by Double Agents - Single Review & Top-Secret Intelligence

 

Agent Invasion / Creatures of the Night

By

Double Agents

Single Review and Top-Secret Intelligence

 

Now you might not think that Hip Hop would be the place you would find covert operations and espionage But, with The tenth chapter in the Seven Deadly Sins series, Burning Anger/Britcore Rawmance have stepped in the shadowy side of the Hip Hop underground to unleash the a new force in Hip Hop, the Double Agents.

The Double Agents are four people you might know, on the outside as mild mannered artists from England, Germany and Australia who are at the top of their game, bringing some incredible Hip Hop releases to your shelves and delighting more at shows across Europe and beyond.

During that time, these four guys have been gathering Hip Hop knowledge and secrets from all over the world and not only that, they have lived and breathed essence and the core values of Hip Hop and their knowledge and dedication is second to none from very birth of culture to the present day. All this information they have gathered has been kept under wraps until the time was right to release it, and that time begins now.

So, say hello to the Double Agents:

The incredible Duo of Whirlwind D & Specifik from the UK, German Producer Frankie Roar, and the insane emcee Kid Lyrical from down under. Together these four have dropped their first single to draw on all this Top-Secret Hip-Hop knowledge, Agent Invasion and Creatures of the Night.

Not knowing if this single was going to Self-Destruct in 5 seconds, I found a dark place away from windows, prying eyes, and ears, I slipped on my headphones keyed up the two tracks and pressed play…

The intro of Agent Invasion draws you in with heavy brass tones and a verbal dictation that references the fires of the past, something that put me in mind of the Bronx in New York where Hip Hop grew from the desolate urban wastelands and the fires of gang culture But, you are quickly transported to the future as Frankie Roars Pounding production hits and Whirlwind D, Specifik and Kid Lyrical take us on and a vivid audible ride into the shadows detailing, in no uncertain terms, how they operate and what they are here to do. The Double Agents are here to slip from the shadows and deliver a crushing blow to the enemies of the culture, then slip back from whence they came, leaving only the enemies woes as any evidence they were there.

Creatures of the Night see’s us draw into the shadows, the murky world where the Agents dwell. A place where stealth, poise and dedication to the cause are paramount, and there is no room to hesitate in the execution of your duty. Whirlwind D and Kid Lyrical handle the deadly lyrical duties, which dazzle and confuse the enemy, then Specifik puts down the mic and steps behind the turntables to cut down their opponents like a hot knife through butter. Frankie Roar’s production creates a dark and sinister vibe, the perfect backdrop and makes it known that if you inhabit the shadows in the underground and you’re an enemy of Hip Hop, beware because the Double Agents with be there and they are ruthless…

I was relived that these files did not self-destruct, and I was even more glad I was not an enemy of the Double Agents. Why had they chosen me to listen and report on their first public mission? I don’t know the answer to that but, as a drank a stiff drink which I cradled in still shaking hands, I mused on what I had just heard and those thoughts came thick and fast.

Frankie Roar’s production is slick and can change the vibe of the track to suit the situation in one deft move leaving their enemies confused and never able to anticipate their next move. He also arranged, mixed, and mastered both tracks showing that his experience leaves no room for error and there is no way anyone can infiltrate such a tight group.

Whirlwind D brings a wealth of lyrical experience and an unrivalled depth of knowledge. He delivers this with a deadly calmness that will strike fear into even the most fearless of emcees. Like a lyrical ninja he walks the shadows ready to deliver a lyrical death blow which you will not see coming but, you will understand every moment once it hits.

Kid Lyrical has a hardcore, almost insane style in his delivery. Stepping from the shadows directly into your face, he delivers his mind numbing style in an unapologetic nature, not giving a damn if you survive or not but, if you do survive, you awake realising he has stolen the very soul from the core of your being.

Specifik is the multitalented member of the group. On one hand he can drop a lyrical delivery, from a concealed holster, something you were not expecting leaving you dazed and confused. Then, as you stumble blindly wondering what just happened his unrelenting volley from the 1’s and 2’s slices through your consciousness like cold steel of a Ninjatō.

At the back of my mind was a worrying thought, the Double Agents have a far-reaching circle of associates which includes Mr.TIBBZ who handles design and who also had the original concept behind Creatures of the Night. There is also Todhart and everyone at Burning Anger/Britcore Rawmance who have provided a way for the Double Agents to release this incredible and important work. It begs you ask yourself, what next, where, when and with whom will they strike next?

As the thoughts began to subside and my hands stopped trembling a deep realisation came over me which was both reassuring and troubling, these four guys coming together form a lethal crew like no other. As a single unit they are more than able to take on and complete the kind of complex missions it might take a whole clan to complete, and as I finally closed my eyes and welcomed the oblivion of sleep my dreams were haunted by the notion that you can be scared or you can be excited but, either way the Double Agents are here and there is no one and nothing to stop them.

Even in sleep I was not free from the reach of the agents. I dreamt of what I would ask them should I ever meet them, and as questions floated through my unconscious awareness, the Double Agents answered. Was it even a dream or had they put something in my drink?

Let tell you what happened…

Firstly, I wondered if it always a plan to do something special for SDS 010?

To be honest it all started when we all received invitations from a secret organisation to assemble for something momentous – no other detail was given. Having been shown the contents of a briefcase that had been smuggled through at least 3 continents and via a network of criminal organisations, we all knew we had a common shared purpose. As for SDS 010, well this was in fact the case code for our first mission behind enemy lines. In fact, a series of coincidences occurred in a short space of time associated with this coding. Not only was it the case code, but also an input key for a server linked with organised crime and of course the cat. number of our record with Britcore Rawmance. This is no coincidence…watch this space.

I then mused further on how the Double Agents come together or how were they selected?

I think I have answered this question above however each agent was selected for specific skills. Franky Roar was enlisted due to his ability to crack any code and move stealth-like through the dark web producing dope beats, whilst Whirlwind D was chosen for his safe cracking and bomb disposal skills as well as razor sharp lines. Specifik is a known master of martial arts and can single-handedly take down even the most heavily armed gangsters (and sucker MCs and DJs) with nothing but a 1mm diamond stylus and his bare hands. Finally, Kid Lyrical is a skilled expert of deception and can move from place to place unseen whilst spitting lyrical venom.

Something critical was wondering just what is the Double Agent’s Modus Operandi?

I’m afraid we can’t reveal too much as we are sworn to secrecy and it would endanger yourself as well as anyone else reading this text. What we can say is that Double Agents are engaged in all-levels of international espionage. The hip hop aspect is simply a front, much like early pioneers such as Paul Winley Records whose hip-hop labels were a front for more covert activities. Whilst we embrace this ‘front’ with impeccable skill and a love for all the elements of the culture, we are embedded in the darkest corners of the underground world-wide.

I speculated if the agents would be working exclusively for burning Anger/Britcore or will they lend their talents further afield?

This is a topic that hasn’t been discussed at this stage, mainly because of our on-going operations against political dictators across the world however what is certain is that this marks only the first chapter. We already have a number of operations waiting to go hot and as soon as we are called upon the DA Crew will be representing with more killer beats and rhymes.

Finally, I had to ask, what is the Agents next mission or is that top secret?

We may have said too much already and as indicated before, we wouldn’t want to endanger you and your readers. What I can do at this stage is to offer you a vision: Double Agents skills and proficiencies alongside a blueprint firmly rooted in the benchmark set by artists such as Kobalt 60 and Hardnoise, wrapped into a web of intrigue…

On waking from what was either a dream or a drug induced coma, I wondered just where this was all going. Would I ever be the same person again and had I and indeed Infinite Sounds now been drawn into an underground world of covert ops and Top-Secret Review missions. Only time would tell…

Agent Invasion / Creatures of the Night is available now. Check out the covert links below.

This is Steve,

Reality beckons, Peace Out.

Buy the Single HERE:

https://burning-anger.com/shop/music/britcore-hardcore-hiphop-12s-lps-7s/double-agents-agents-invasion-creatures-of-the-night-7inch/

Test Pressings Still Available HERE:

https://burning-anger.com/shop/music/britcore-hardcore-hiphop-12s-lps-7s/double-agents-agents-invasion-creatures-of-the-night-7inch-testpress/

Postcards From the Edge by Qred - Album Review

Postcards from the Edge

By

Qred

Album Review

 

Now most people might not immediately think Hip Hop when you mention Wales but trust me when I say that Wales has that Hip Hop spirit running deep with Artists like Junior Disprol, Unity and, of course, Qred, the mention just a few.

It is producer Qred who we look to here with latest offering Postcards from the Edge. A producer led album which features a host of top emcee from both sides of the pond and when you names like Micall Parknsun, Junior Disprol, Cappo, Ruste Juxx and Ray Vendetta, you have to sit up and take notice.

So, let’s not hang around and dive right into a track by track breakdown…

First up is What Will It Bring (Intro) which perfectly sets the tone with etheric piano vibes that carry us through the verbal intro before a further soulful sample floats into followed by a pounding boom bap beat has you nodding your head along before the track ends with further musings on mental visions - that sets it up nicely for us as we are about to experience a number of musical visions from the mind of Qred and his assembled guests.

The first of those visions is From The Edge which features Shaz Illyork and Rome Streetz. A dark gritty track with heavy beats and cuts over some nerve tweaking electronic vibes. Both emcees handle themselves admirably using their wordplay to take you to the edge of sanity and back again. After pulling yourself back from the edge you are treated to the first single to be pulled from the album, Ready For Whatever. The track features the verbal skills of Ruste Juxx and Micall Parknsun over a funky beat with a soulful vibe, even the cuts are sublime. Juxx and Parky are on point here as they detail that no matter what the world throws at them, they are always ready for it. From the soulful we transition to the dark melodic piano vibe of Chalked Formulas. Here Ray Vendetta takes us on a stroll through a tempest as he schools us on being a verbal wizard with chalk stick in hand.

A deep guitar vibe has us sliding into the pounding Dead Soldiers. There are no prisoners taken here as Junior Disprol joins the ranks and takes aim at all those who deserve it, keeping his finger on the trigger, only pausing to reload for another verbal onslaught with no fucks given, this is the 500 Magnum of wordplay. Time for a short aural breather with the funked out guitar of Trying to Stall Time (Interlude) giving you a bit of time before dropping you into the Shark Infested Waters where Shaz Illyork reappears taking aim at you suckas like his name was G Rap. The beat here is pure 90’s bomb bap and will have you nodding your head whatever you’re doing.

We’re now tipped into the second half of the album with Lashout, an instant head nod vibe with a dark guitar undertone and frantic cuts that will also have you punching the air as Dirt Platoon pick up the mics, systematically hitting punks between the eyes with fists or bullets, it makes no difference as the result is the same, grimy right here. The storm clouds gather overhead for Last Omen. A dark moody beat with some eerie piano floating through as Tesla’s Ghost provides a tortuous narrative to have you looking over your shoulder at every step. Next up we have Shaz Illyork making his penultimate appearance on The Decadence. The heavy strings under a boom bap beat that will have you moving to its laid-back vibe as Shaz takes you on what feels like a more personal ride.

 With the end of the album within earshot, it’s time to have one last breather with the Cocktail Party (Interlude),a funky little instrumental with some sublime Piano, Jazzy guitar and synth elements to help you kick back for just a few moments. From there its into the penultimate track Glimmerman, which sees the final appearance of Shaz Illyork. A heavy pounding track that has the vibe of a movie soundtrack, which fits perfectly with visions created by Shaz’s lyrical storyline. It’s now time to hit the End of the Line with Cappo. The pounding beat and freaky orchestral track creates a surreal vision as Cappo finishes off the opposition by raining down lyrical fire and brimstone and we are left with a vision of the album cover as it reaches its climax.

Overall Postcards from the Edge is the perfect encapsulation of that 90’s Hip Hop Boom Bap vibe. But, more than that it is a boom Bap vibe mixed with visionary sounds to bring you the kind of musical sound scape that puts you instantly in mind of floating on the seas in a rowing boat as you navigate a storm that could be a physical one or just as easily be a mental image created by the listener. Either way the experience keeps you captivated from start to finish, be it bouncing around or floating aimlessly.

Qred has produced the kind of album that would be at home even if it had no guest emcees at all. Even then it would be an awesome listening experience but, add to that the slick cuts from DTM and that collection of guests and this album most definitely knocks the bar up a few notches and with 2020 slowly drawing to a close, this album has to be up there with the best of them and not just in terms of it being a production driven album but, also simply as a straight up Hip Hop album.

The choice of guest emcees for the album highlights some talent from the new and the more well-established names and from both sides of the pond. All the emcees handle themselves well and compliment the beats provided by Qred. The more I hear these production driven albums the more it highlights, to me, that not only is Hip Hop alive and well but, it is universal and brings people together as one.

I would be misplaced if I did not mention the amazing cover artwork from the one and only Junior Disprol who captured the essence of the album perfectly.

All in all, this is one for your collection and there are some pretty wicked packages put together too so, go cop one.

Postcards From The Edge is released by Boom Bap Professionals (BBP69) and is available from today. Be sure to check the Ready For Whatever Single (BBP67) and the Mixtape from the Edge (BBP68) as well, links below.

Huge thanks to Qred for sending this to me and to Junior Disprol for linking me with Qred.

Peace Out,

Steve.

LINKS

Will open in a new window

Buy Postcards From The Edge Here:

https://boombappro.com/album/postcards-from-the-edge-bbp69

Get the Mixtape From The Edge Here:

https://boombappro.com/album/mixtape-from-the-edge-bbp68

Get Ready For Whatever single Here:

https://boombappro.com/album/ready-for-whatever-bbp67

Malawi by MC Oliver Twist - Single review and Micro-Interview

 

Malawi

By

Oliver Twist

Single review

 

Following an eight-year hiatus, MC Oliver Twist is back with a new single due for an imminent release. That Single is Malawi and is inspired by the years he lived in that country from 1980.

Malawi is one of those vibes that is so easy to nod your head to. Kicking off with a funky piano into, the beats drops, and MC Oliver Twist takes you on trip back to his days in Malawi and how he first discovered music and the sound of the beat. However, it doesn’t end there as we are transported to a time where plastic bags were used as a football, fists were touched no matter your skin colour and food came from where ever you could get it. From there we are transported to the days he learnt to moon walk and learn every line of Billy Jean and on to being the first white kid to rap and sport an afro and more.

Malawi is a very personal journey through some of the key moments in the life of MC Oliver Twist and you get this deep feel for the discovery of music, the clothes he wore, you also have this mental image of creating a football from Plastic Bags under the blistering sun on a pitch of dried earth. The beat has an almost tribal quality and with the piano vibes running through it, the pace of the track carries you along. MC Oliver Twists delivery is slick, clear and concise, and his wordplay perfectly captures the essence of the individual stories. 

There is nothing more you could want from an Emcee who has not released anything since the 2012 release Thunderkid EP through Chess Moves Cartel. Malawi is sure to be one of those tracks that will get plenty of respect and airplay and, to be perfectly honest, rightly so.

Production on Malawi comes from Chris Warner and it is mastered by Dirty Joe.

To get a bit more of a feel for the background of the track I put a few questions to MC Oliver Twist and as you will see the answers do give you a greater sense of understanding:

1-You moved to Malawi in 1980. We get some feeling for what it was like from the track but, what was that time like for you.

 

My dad had just got his BA in Civil engineering and took a position in Malawi looking after the design and infrastructure of the road system.

It was a magical time. As a youngster making friends from all over the world, since the school I went to was one of only two English speaking international schools in the country. 

It was essentially a boarding and day school. Those kids whose families lived hundreds of miles away like my own family, that was the only choice really. All us kids used to cry at night-time from missing their parents. But we got through it with study, sports, and music. There was a lot of abuse from teachers, not just physical. It affected me for decades, until I made the decision to forgive. Forgiveness has been the most healing from my own perspective.

I played for the football team as centre midfield, I was young but went on to have trials in later years for Farnham and Farnborough LOL. I scored twice in the selection games but want picked, mainly I think cuz my attitude was terrible. I was a right cheeky shit.

 

2-With Malawi being in South Africa, how did that shape your music and did some of that come from the local tribal music.

 

Absolutely yeh!

Malawi is more central Africa, known as the warm heart of Africa, solely because the people are so humble. Just living a house made bricks made me feel privileged and embarrassed in a way. We connected as friends through our mutual love of fun laughter and pranks.

We used to listen to the radio, but we never had an actual radio, we used a telephone received connected to the wire mosquito grills on the windows to hear local music. It was all in Chechewa which I hadn't learned so all I was listening to was the instrumentation, which spoke to all of us and lifted our spirits. Getting into poetry as a young age, then going on camp outs with some of the school and local farmers and elders. The elders would gather round the campfire with their drums and percussion instruments, I'm talking all hand-crafted instruments. So they'd play and eventually I got the confidence to recite my spoken word stuff, which was very basic and non-rhythmical back then, So yeh that definitely shaped my taste and certainly influenced me towards storytelling and composition structure.

 

3-So, you have been away from music for a few years even though you continue to write, what was the reason for coming back to the scene at this time.

 

Intelligent Madness disbanded in 1998/9 to pursue 9-5 jobs and we remain very close friends to this day actually. Yes, I went ahead as a solo emcee. Luckily had one release on 12" with Aerosolik Records back in 2002. I've written solidly for 30 years in fact, only just now have I felt that the composition and texture of content has improved greatly.

The reason for coming back. Pretty simple. Life side-lined me, illness nearly killed me twice. And I hit a point so low that I nearly took my own life. In that very instance, something incredible happened. And I made the decision to grab life by the scruff of the neck and get back to finishing tracks from over 20 years ago! Malawi is actually the fourth version. I rewrote the lyrics five times, so that has been the most enriching to me personally. We have a solo album with a couple of features, so I'm hoping for release next year.

 

4-Are you planning to revive and release some of your previous unreleased tracks

 

Some of the lyrics and concepts, some of the old productions are being re vamped, Chris is a brilliant producer. Chatting to the others. Some are in, some are not. But all 100% supportive. I reached out to many producers and artists to see who'd be interested in doing stuff. So, I've been quite lucky really. Currently working with some long-established artists and musicians. The Malawi tune is currently being re used by Nkomba. My friend Ron Nkomba I grew up with in Malawi, that's his band. I reconnected with him after 40 years nearly. So, the live acoustic version is on the way. That was an incredible turn of events. As soon as I heard his music, I knew what was on the cards. So, we just went from the original version. Very grateful to everyone that has helped me back onto my feet, and to those that didn't. Made us more determined.

 

Huge thanks to MC Oliver Twist for asking me to review Malawi and for answering these few questions and giving such wicked insights into his life and music.

Malawi is released today on Bandcamp, check the link below.

Peace Out,

Steve

 Buy Malawi from Bandcamp Here:

https://mcolivertwist.bandcamp.com/track/malawi

Ways To Stay Broke by Caskie - EP Review

 

Ways to Stay Broke

By

Caskie

EP Review

 

Ways to Stay Broke is the debut EP from London based emcee, Caskie, who is also part of the Dusty Stragglers group (who have had a couple of EP releases in the last couple of years) and affiliated with Under the Bed Productions. Caskie has something in his repertoire that I’ve not seen in a while, the alter ego, which in this case is Caveman (who we will meet shortly).

So, let’s get into it…

The EP hits straight out the gate with Awakening of a Caveman where get an introduction to Caskie over a laid -back jazzy guitar heavy vibe. This links directly into Sinfool where we treated to the struggle between the two sides of human nature. In this case we have Caskie bringing the more positive intellect and reason, whilst Caveman brings a more negative and self-destructive side. The track has a melodic feel with some laid-back jazzy bass and horn that creates just the right vibe. Up next is the first of the singles lifted from the EP, Victims of Addiction. The beat is heavy but, the guitar brings an almost dreamy vibe with it that is perfect for the track as Caskie takes a look at the ways addiction affects those that fall into that downward spiral to cope with life.

 The second single from the EP is 3^rd Eye Shut, a deep message that feels to focus on the internal struggles many face with live and such things as Anxiety, Depression and when you are struggling it is difficult to understand what’s real or even who you can trust and it’s looking for that light, that one thing that can pull you out of the darkness. The track is a superb display of a quick rap style over a more modern trap style vibe while the intro and chorus create a more soulful contrast. Two Wrongs, takes a look at relationships and money. There is a deep look into how people use each other to get what they want and the sad fact that what glitters is not always gold, and two wrongs never make a right. The track retains that jazz soul vibe as the chorus lifts you up from the sad look at the lives of those explored in the track. Every day we walk the path of life there are hurdles, stresses and strains that test us every step of the way and that is exactly what There Ain’t explores over the backdrop of a stunning jazz-hop vibe that has you closing your eyes and drifting off. The EP’s outro is Une Chanson Pour Oncle (French for A Song For Uncle) a jazzy guitar instrumental with an upbeat feel that really brings back to reality and might even leave you feeling that you wished it would be just a little longer…

Overall, the EP might appear to be quite a bleak look at life around us and within, and to a point it is but, there is just enough of the positive vibes through the sound-scapes themselves to keep the balance right. Ways to Stay Broke is no nonsense Hip Hop focused on no nonsense subjects in a time of no nonsense. In fact, reading between the lines might create this dark vision of reality and the society in which we live but, that should also serve as a wakeup call.

Music is one thing that can unite us all, it can allow us to see the good and bad in the world and experience that in a way that is entertaining and does not bring negativity and at the same time has the power to heal us through uplifting visions and feelings, and that is exactly what this EP does, for me anyway…

Caskie does a superb job of all the vocals both rapping and singing. The contrast between his unique wordplay as Caskie or Caveman and the more soulful vibe of those parts that he sings creates this perfect switch from storyline to uplifting vibe which carries those element so well allowing you to feel the light among the darkness.

The seamless production from Under the Bed Productions founder, Peter Coates, creates a perfect rolling sound scape that blends perfectly from one track to the next carrying you along on this Jazz-Hop fueled vibe that creates all the right moods in all the right places taking the listener on a journey in sync with the lyrical delivery.

Ways to Stay Broke is a cracking debut from Caskie and further goes to show the quality of up and coming artist we have here in the UK.

The EP is available to buy or stream from all the usual platforms, links below.

Peace Out,

Steve

 LINKS

Get the EP from Bandcamp Here:

https://caskie.bandcamp.com/

On Amazon Music Here:

https://music.amazon.in/artists/B07CVJL952/caskie

Listen on Spotify Here:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/75ZfMuFvJJVDSF1TaGCVcK

Apple Music Here:

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/caskie/1511460131

Deezer Here:

https://www.deezer.com/en/album/170718772

Caskie On Social Media

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/caskie.caveman

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/caskie.caveman/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOWH5BwvkUbqJyLI_eM6Jmg?view_as=subscriber

VIDEOS

3rd Eye Shut

Victims of Addiction