Down The Local
By
Various Artists
Down The Local is the latest Album from one the UK’s hottest
up and coming record labels. Certain Sound Records has been dropping releases
from some of the UK’s dopest artists since 2019. I last featured the label back
in May of 2021 when I reviewed Anyone Home? by Montener The Menace.
This latest release by the label promises to be another
solid release. Based around the theme of the good and bad trips down the local
boozer, it features an impressive line up of some of the UK’s top Hip Hop
artists, this includes Deeflux & Miracle, Louie G, Barry Manalog, Cappo,
Luther Andross, Ash The Author, DJ Chud (Steel Devils), Gee Bag, Mysdiggi and
Chrome.
With a line-up like that there is nothing else to do except
put on your shoes, hat and coat and head down the local with me and grab a pint
as I guide you through the album…
Depending on how old you were when you first stepped into a
Pub/Boozer/Bar etc you might have had a different experience. I am old enough
to remember them being smoky places filled with a hundred conversations,
jukebox music, a Pool table and, on occasions a live band. Then there were the
odd occasions when to stepped into a pub somewhere you’d never been and the
place when silent as you walked in, everyone eyeing you up, as you
uncomfortably made your way to the bar while contemplating where would be the
most inconspicuous place to sit. But I digress, siting down at a side table and
listening to the myriad of conversations going on around you is probably what
we are about to listen to. The fist thing that hits our ears is Deeflux &
Miracle with Unquenchable, where piano, guitars and drums combine to
bring us this upbeat vibe from Miracle that has you bouncing along as Deeflux
takes you down memory lane speaking on experiences of being out with your mate
from the earlier experiences to how things changed as you grew up. The next chat
that we focus in on is Louie G and Barry Manalog with Stylin Merd. Barry
Manalog provides this dark edged beat with drums, horns and keys while Louie G creates
this vivid picture of a life where music merges with having a drink, violence,
women and more. This picture is constantly moving and balancing between the
good and the bad moments. Taking a sip of our own drink and blink to
momentarily clear our eyes, we see the legendary figure of Cappo alongside
Luther Andross. Ellar has the drum beat at the forefront with this
almost orchestra sound floating in the background giving a vibe that has a
chilled edge but also a sharpness to it, keeping your awareness focus on the
lyrics. Cappo who speaks on life and gathering the knowledge that allows him to
keep his lyrics sharp and relatable. You wonder what this has to do with the
local boozer but you realise this is exactly what the kind of conversation you
might hear or even have sat with friends over a quiet drink. Realising that I
might need a break, I’m about nip to the loo when I spot Deeflux & Miracle
featuring Ash The Author and Gee Bag who are about to Reel Me Back In
for one more chat. Miracle drops this deep funky beat with drums and guitars
while Deeflux, Ash and Gee Bag drop a verse each on the ups and downs of life,
chewing the fat as we all do, this is as relatable to me as it is to them and
any of you but, now it’s definitely time to nip to the loo before flipping to
side two…
Settling back in your seat, now refreshed, things have
changed and ambience has shifted as everyone has switched seats and brand new
conversations now fill the air around you. The first thing you hone in on is
Barry Manalog and Ash The Author featuring Mysdiggi and DJ Chud with Same as
it Ever Was. The faint sounds of underground trains filter into your ears
before a heavy drum beat drops alongside razor sharp cuts and some funky bass,
all this mixes into a banging head nod vibe from Barry Manalog that permeates
your whole body. Ash and Mysdiggi expertly speak on the late-night escapades
that might go on in the city centres around the pub, clubs and those areas out
of reach of the lights and cameras. Still buzzing, you notice that Cappo and
Luther Andross are still huddled in a dark corner, now they turn their
attention to NYE. Andross brings a chilled beat that is piano heavy,
creating a vibe that carries you along while giving the vocals of Cappo the
spotlight. Cappo’s intelligent lyrics speak on the almost unacknowledged
influence that UK Hip Hop artists have and how so many overlook that fact,
choosing to look to the US Hip Hop artists, while forgetting what is in their
own back garden. There is no disrespect for anyone here just a reminder to look
as close to home as you do further afield. With those thoughts lodged in your immediate
awareness you realise that Louie G and Barry Manalog have once more sat down on
the table next to you discussing Milty. The beat is this a combination
of drums, bass and a collection of sounds that flow in and out of your
awareness. This vibe has you floating along as Louie G lays in on the line
about his life, music and how you need to be aware of those around you, no
matter where you are and what you’re doing, just be yourself and be the best
you can be at whatever you do. Before you know it, Barry Manalog is joined,
once more, by Ash The Author and DJ Chud for some Modern Day Jazz Crumpet.
Barry mixes up drums, keys, and Xylophone notes to create this light jazzy vibe
while Chud cuts with ease over the top. Ash gets up on the table to regale the whole
place with all manner of tales about his experiences, while simultaneously
raising the roof and getting everyone out their chairs. It appears that things
not gonna simmer down anytime soon, even though the night is drawing to a close
but, it’s not quite over yet as it’s time for a lock-in with Deeflux and
Miracle alongside Chrome dropping Oovavoo on the place. Miracle’s beat
is heavy with plenty of funked up bass and horns getting the whole place
rocking and blowing the roof off. Deeflux and Chrome drop the kinda performance
that has everyone focused on them as they drop verse after verse and line after
line about whatever takes their fancy, it’s all about rounding the night off
with some dope Hip Hop that does one thing, unites the whole spot, forgetting
all the beef and just having a good time…
You have to admit that was one hell of a night Down The
Local, that’s for sure. In fact, what it does do is bring a whole new meaning
to popping Down The Local. Certain Sound Records have gathered together some of
the cream of the UK crop, given them a focus and then let them loose. The
result is an album that either see’s you sat in the pub listening or even looking
on at the antics of others as you create this mental picture of what’s going
on.
Everything here is quality and shows the calibre and
diversity of UK artists out there right now and this is just a small selection.
The production, as you might expect from three of the UK’s finest, is all top
notch here and keeps the album flowing perfectly from top to bottom. The sound
is solid Hip Hop throughout, especially adding DJ Chud to the mix, and keeps the
energy levels up though most of the album. There are moments where the energy
levels subside a bit but, not enough to lose you. Vocally there is a great mix of
style on display here that either bounce off one another, complement each other
or both. Everything is delivered with a love of their craft and a desire to
give the listener something fresh to swing to.
This is one of those albums that is a joy to listen to and a
joy to write about as it just helps the words to flow. This is one of those I
don’t need to write too much about because I want you to listen to it and enjoy
it as much as I did.
Down The Local is out now on digital and limited Vinyl.
Huge thanks to Barry Manalog for sending this one my way.
One that note,
I’m Out, See Ya,
Steve
LINKS
Get the album via Certain Sound Records Bandcamp Page Here:
https://certainsoundrecords.bandcamp.com/album/down-the-local-2
Certain Sound Records YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@certainsoundrecords5454
Certain Sound Records on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/certainsound_records/
VIDEOS
Down The Local (Promo)
Milty - Louie G & Barry Manalog
No comments:
Post a Comment