Moody Waves EP
By
Gee Swift
I have to say that I felt this new EP from former
Journeyman, Gee Swift, really deserved a review. Mainly because I’ve not seen
much exposure on it since it dropped a few weeks ago.
The Moody Waves EP is well worth checking out not just
because it is by Gee Swift of The Journeymen and the co-founder of AE
Productions but, also because it is produced by The Aroma, aka Rola and DJ
Rumage, and features cuts from AE’s head honcho Mr Fantastic.
Released through AE Productions, Gee Swift has decided to
put this straight on-line with no physical release. You find it on Bandcamp for
a pay what you like fee and with the pedigree the Moody Waves EP has to offer,
why would you not wanna grab it for a few quid?
If your still not sold on the idea, join me know and see
what I have to say about it and hopefully I will convince you to check this one
out…
Things kick off with the EP’s title track Moody Waves.
Drums, keys, and cuts are the basis for the sound with the drums creating that
boom bap Hip Hop sound while the keys have the effect of making you feel like
you are in a boat ebbing on the sea, while the cuts almost feel like the breeze
as you roll on the waves. Gee Swift is bang on as he says, “Take time with the
words so its well composed”. You get this real sense that he is speaking on
what he sees on the road in front of him But, also what makes him tick. Life is
just like floating on the sea, through calm and stormy seas we endure what
comes and as we do, there are waves of moods that come with what flows into our
awareness. This is not just well composed but, intelligent too.
There are more drums, keys and cuts providing the backdrop
for Come On Man, the drums, once more, carry you, just as the waves do
but, the keys and cuts combine to make you feel like a storm is brewing around
you. Here we find Gee Swift speaking on life and how he approaches his craft. It’s
all about putting in the work, the effort and always giving you all in
everything that you do But, ultimately you need to leave your best till last,
never slipping and to leave on a high, because that way you know that you have
achieved exactly what you came here to do.
The waters seem to calm with the coming of the High Seas,
where etheric vocals, pounding drums and bass notes create a reflective vibe
that also seems to have a essence of knowing and understanding. This fits
perfectly with Gee Swift’s vocals which has this air that speaks of change and
the temporary nature of things. We push to be all that we can be, to bring
light to the dark. We walk the earth leaving a path behind us, one that nature
will eventually reclaim, take back what was once hers, it’s just the natural order
of things.
We move into the final track with a solid head nod beat that
is backed by some electronic notes. We also find Gee Swift moving away from the
rough seas to the far reaches of space on a Space Odyssey. As the track progresses,
we wonder if we are on a trip into space or into the deeper reaches on the
mind? Esoteric subjects about here with the sort of vibe that will maybe take
us beyond space, beyond time and beyond the mind. This is one that will take
you wherever you need to go as you merge with Gee Swifts words on an
extradimensional trip.
Have to say that this a cracking EP that sets a new
benchmark from the Bristol emcee. Deep intelligent wordplay shows that he has
lost none of his edge from those Journeymen days. What he does here is to show
all the upcoming emcee’s out there that you need to have the skills and
presence of mind to focus on longevity. So, many artists blow in and out,
barely making a statement or have one important thing to say but, then don’t
back it up. Gee Swift simply says it how it is, do what you do and do it well,
then keep doing it well until you are ready to leave and then leave in an
explosive way, making a bold statement.
The interesting thing is that Gee Swift is also prepared to
touch on those esoteric or even exoteric subjects that few will. But more and
more artists are willing to go that extra mile and speaking on what drives them
and what they see in the world beyond the music and beyond the physical
reality. It’s a bold move to do this but, one that gives a deeper edge to the
music.
At the end of the day this is Hip Hop from one of the UK’s
top Hip Hop Hub’s, Bristol, brought to you by those who love what they do and want
to bring you a high-quality sound with slick, intelligent wordplay to get you
thinking as much as enjoying. For me, this is what the underground Hip Hop
sound is all about, top music from top artists who do it for the love and not
for the money, although a little support for their hard work never hurts…
Moody Waves is out now.
On that note,
I’m floating outta here,
See Ya,
Steve
AE Productions Website:
https://www.ae-productions.co.uk/
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