Love and Honour
Pt. 1
By
Decksterror
The last time that I featured the work of g-man (Decksterror
Prod.) was way back in 2021 with his production on Mattanza by COSM. Recently
he signed to Hidden Hobby Records, the new label created by Montener The
Menace, and his debut release on the label is Love and Honour Pt 1.
To help this release really showcase his production talents,
g-man has drafted in some top artists as well, including Hus Kingpin (USA),
COSM, C.o.N_Vers, Ill Sykes, King Kakarot and Ash The Author, alongside
Jabbathakut on cuts. Now, with a line-up like this you can bet that this six-track
album is gonna bang, so let’s get straight into it…
Proceedings kick off with Tom Clancy, a heavy head
nod sound with pulse pounding drums, organ notes and horns, to fire up your
adrenaline levels right out the gate. C.o.N_Vers provides the vocals here as he
uses the analogy of the infamous American writer to show that writing rhymes
and novels are not that far apart. The rhymes that rap artists use are often
intricate and use a variety of flows and styles, just as a writer will display
intricate plot twists and flows of pace to fit the story line. Just as the
soundbite at the end explains, it can often be easier to display you craft to
the listener or reader than it is to explain how you do it, something I can
associate with as a writer. Next up we have the album’s title track Love and
Honour, which features Hus Kingpin, COSM and C.o.N_Vers. The intro has motorcycles
sounds and elements from Kill Bill while g-man soundscape has a vibe of the
movie soundtrack with the heavy drums and guitars tacking the forefront on this
one. First impressions are that this one is a platform to display the vocal talents
of these three accomplished MC’s but, the more you listen, the more you realise
that each verse has this story to it that, like the plot of some Hollywood
movie, shows the things one might do for love and for honour. Ash The Author
and Jabbathakut join g-man on The Invisible Man; where the drums are
mixed with electronic elements and cuts to give you the kind of vibe that takes
you into a weird sci-fi universe where nothing is what it seems. Ash The Author
takes us on a journey as the invisible one, twisting the tale this way and
that; even having us question if he exists in reality or just as part of a
digital existence in the machine.
Halfway through the album and its time to Move Back
as King Kakarot steps up while g-man brings more pounding drums, backed by
electronic elements and heavy horns, the kung-fu movie sound bites have you
looking over your shoulder for what’s about to come. As you listen it becomes
clear it is only the wack rappers that need to be looking over their shoulders
as King Kakarot unloads his frustrations on those rappers who have no love for
the music and who care only the image it gives them, or those safe rappers who
never speak on the real-life subjects. Here its all about not being afraid to
be yourself and stand up for something, to speak from the heart and with heart.
Running For The Shade sees C.o.N_Vers join g-man for one more track. The
drums still pound, while strings and other elements give this a lighter, more
uplifting sound. There is also an uplifting message within the words here too;
you get the sense that what C.o.N_Vers is saying is that people are so used to
the darkness in society and the world around them, that when the good times and
the light finally breaks through, they are often still running to take shade
from it as they are afraid to be in the light but, you just have remember that
the light is something to welcome and not to fear. The final track of the album
is Dark Speed which features Ill Sykes on vocals with g-man crafting one
final beat that seams to be an audible reflection of the name Decksterror, with
heavy raw drums and strings bring the kind of sound that stretches your every
nerve to breaking point. Ill Sykes brings an equally raw rhyme style that pulls
no punches, moving from the darkness with speed he hits you with words from
every angle with an unrelenting salvo that leaves you wondering if you’ll ever
be the same…
Lets be real here for a moment, if you are going to sign to
a fledgling label (regardless of who set it up) then you what you first release
to be a statement, a shot across the bow of others, one that shows exactly what
you are all about and what to expect moving forward; and that is exactly what g-man
does here, he openly displays the quality of his production and how good a
stage it sets can set up for any emcee out there. Bringing in some of the UK’s
brightest talent and a rising talent from the US (all of whom are on fire here,
by the way) shows that he has the capability to work with anyone as his work
here shows the producer compliments the rapper and likewise.
First impressions here show that g-man has a sound that is
boom bap Hip Hop on a hardcore vibe but, on reflection, you realise that its
all about that boom bap Hip Hop sound and bringing a sound that has vibrant
energy, one that will really catch the attention of the listener and leave them
with a lasting impression, long after album is done. I have been lucky enough
to review g-man’s Decksterror production before and so I know this guy is
making huge waves out there but, if this is your first time listening to his
work then, I am sure you will agree with everything I say.
Overall, Love and Honour Pt 1 is a solid album that gives
you a heavy dose of pulse pounding, head nodding Hip Hop, that is likely to
receive some heavy rotation in the coming weeks. It displays the craft of one
of the UKs premier Hip Hop producers and shows that Hidden Hobby Records is
well on the way to becoming a force to be reckoned with on the underground Hip
Hop scene. Honestly, there just isn’t anything not to like about this one,
trust me.
My thanks to Montener The Menace for the chance to review
this one and it’s out today too.
On that note,
I’m out.
Steve.
LINKS
Get the album from Hidden Hobby Records Bandcamp Here:
https://hiddenhobbyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/love-honour-pt-1
Your links to all things Decksterror related:
VIDEOS
Love and Honour
Thanks for the write up bro. Always a pleasure and summed up the first wave perfectly!!
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