Starling
By
C-Froo
It was way back in May 2021 that I last featured Bristol’s
C-Froo when I reviewed his last album, Unit Three. Now see’s the release of his
fourth album, Starling, which dropped two weeks ago on streaming and Bandcamp.
The album is primarily produced by Joe Bird but also
features production from 'Riski Le Bizniz' (One Cut,
Hombre Records), Master Chef and Chrome (Def Tex, Chrome+), there are also
vocals from Miss Cherie and international reggae artist, Da Fuchaman.
Starling promises to be a cracking
album as C-Froo describes the album as being full of “deep stuff, dark stuff
and dancey stuff. There's storytelling, satire, and social commentary. It's a
dip into my world and a satisfying listen.” With the man himself describing
it this way, there is a lot to look forward to so, let’s not mess about here,
come join me as I take through the album…
Profound Statement opens the
album featuring Miss Cherie on the chorus. Joe Bird’s production features bass,
keys, and drums which all mix together to create this deep vibe that had me
nodding along as I listened intently to the words. This one really strikes me
as a look at life through the eyes of C-Froo, where its all about never
standing still and making life the best it can be while doing what you love
but, also remembering to keep yourself grounded and to get too caught up in what
life brings. Miss Cherie brings these etheric vocals that almost seem to act
like your conscious, speaking to you when you need it and keeping you on track.
If you floated off a bit at the start there then the funky vibe of Unit Three
plus back down, realigning your focus. The bass and drums have you bobbing
along as you listen. Unit Three is a place where everyone needs to be,
where positivity is the key and inner peace is the ultimate goal. I guess the
thing is, how do you get there? C-Froo speaks about where you want to be and
also provides the path to get there through the track itself. Music can take
you to these places and help you open the door. Now you’re in a happy place
it’s time for a Welcome To The Funhouse. The upbeat mood comes from
flute, keys, bass, and drums that keeps you in this place where you just wanna
move. C-Froo brings a smile to your face as he takes a wealth of children’s
program titles, new and old, and weaves them into something that has your mind
working overtime, not just on the storyline but, also on reminiscing on all
those old programs.
With a grin still planted fairly and squarely on your face,
Piano and drums are the backdrop for the head nod. I Like When It’s
Excessive keeps the smile on your face But, this time for a different
reason, as C-Froo has you reminiscing once more. But here it’s all about the
crazy things you used to get up to in your younger days. As you cast your mind
back, alongside C-Froo, the smile is tinged with concern as you wonder what
effect the fun excessive times might have had on you? Well, I guess it might
have concern for some but, no reason you can’t enjoy the memories at the same
time. Just while you are in that place of excess, one thing you get excessive
with is Cheese, and here we have a mind-bending sound of drums and piano
that creating a short that kinda reminds you of the weird euphoric state you
can get into eating cheese… or is that just me?
Next up is the first track of the album not produced by Joe
Bird as production on Just Cool comes from Riski Le Bizniz. The track
also features Da Fuchaman alongside C-Froo as they both break it down about
just what it is to be just cool. It’s as simple as that and they do it in true
style over this reggae infused boom bap style beat of drums, bass, and
electronic sounds. You just gotta enjoy this one, ya feel. Next up, Joe Bird
brings a solid beat of drums, piano notes, and bells, creating this heavy beat
that also tweaks the nerves, just a little. On The Anti-Candyman we find
C-froo opening up about how hard the music scene is and offering plenty of
advice to those other artists out there about the most effective ways to make
it. This is not about being some freaky figure from the dark side, taking out
other artists. Here it is all about offering a hand, an olive branch of solid
advice, here, it’s all about being a beacon of light and giving, not taking
away. Drums and horns create this melodic sound that draws you into Blood On
The Tracksuits, a deep dark story of one youth caught up in the struggles
of inner-city life. This could be the story of any number of youngers, barely
teenagers, get used by gangs and being promised the highlife, while being used
and abused.
With the struggles of the youth still lodged in our minds,
heavy drums with a middle eastern vibe pull of minds back to the moment. The
heavy beat, from Riski Le Bizniz and Master Chef, has you bouncing around once
more as C-Froo schools us to finer points of what he notes is My Technique.
This one is all about the music and enjoying each and every second. DJ Riski Le
Bizniz provides the cuts that slice through your fragile awareness. The
penultimate track see’s the one and only Chrome on production and cuts for Britcore
On Chrome. The beat and the cuts are all high octane, as are C-Froo’s
vocals, and the focus of this one is that heavy hardcore, britcore, Hip Hop
vibe. This is one to savour as its got the flavour and it’s not for the raver.
Moving into the final track of the album, we have A Vision Of Utopia,
taking us out. The drums are softer here with Piano taking the forefront, this
creates a calming effect before the drums kick in with some pace for a short
outro. C-Froo’s vocals create this vision in the mind of summer festival vibe
with everyone on a euphoric vibe, enjoying themselves and doing just what they
wanna do with no drama, the music bringing that sense of utopia…
This is another cracking album from C-Froo. I mean there is
so much to like here as it takes you on a proper trip through modern day life.
It delivers exactly what it promises by showing you the stark reality of
inner-city life in contrast to the more upbeat and lighter side of life. C-Froo
once more displays a solid rhyme style while mixing up the flows, styles and
genres. He always delivers his words with dexterity, backed up with the
knowledge and integrity. There is also a good amount of emotive feeling running
throughout the album which adds to the depth and helps the listener to
associate with what they are hearing. When he is talking on the music industry
everything is written and delivered in such a way that you can easily
understand and vibe with.
The production here from Joe Bird, Riski Le Bizniz, Master
Chef and Chrome does exactly what in needs to do by drawing the listener into
each track and then carrying them throughout by delivering the exact vibe or
feeling being put across in C-Froo’s words. You get to hear that the roots of
the music are in Hip Hop but, along the way there are elements of other
influances too, all of which ad depth and feeling to the album as it flows through
your awareness.
Although there are only a couple of guest artists on the
album they do bring so much. Miss Cherie brings some beautiful vocals that
brings an emotive edge while Da Fuchaman, who C-Froo tours with as bassist,
brings that intense reggae sound and a huge energy and strength.
Overall, Starling is a solid Hip Hop album that immerses the
listener in the world as seen by C-Froo, who takes you into takes you on a
vocal and musical rollercoaster ride that leaves you on high but, knowing that
the twists and turns of life are always in front of you and the best you can do
is face them on a firm footing for both you and the sake of others. This is an
album to both enjoy and to savour and that do it all again.
My thanks to C-Froo for sending this my way. Starling is out
now on all good streaming platforms.
Time for me to be outta here,
See Ya,
Steve.
LINKS
Get Starling from C-Froo on Bandcamp Here:
https://cfroo.bandcamp.com/album/starling
Starling on Spotify Here:
VIDEOS
Unit 3
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