Don’t Stop is the latest release from Layman (Stroud,
Gloucestershire) and Abstract Soundz (Banbury, Oxfordshire). It is also the
final and lead single to be released from their upcoming Don’t Stop EP, which
will be dropping soon.
I know that producer Abstract Soundz has featured on the
blog before and I was sure that I had featured Layman before but, it appears
not and so I have not sorted any sort of Bio for the man to give him a bit more
of an intro, I’ll have to rectify that soon…
With the prospect of their forthcoming EP, lets let the
music speak for itself and straight into Don’t Stop…
The organ notes that lead us into the track give you an
instant impression of a reflective vibe, which is only reinforced as Abstract
Soundz brings in a solid boom bap beat with horns and more keys, giving you the
energy to nod ya head. You realise that the reflective vibe is a perfect
backdrop for Layman to drop a deeply personal track that details the struggles
of addiction and coming out the other side to make it past those dark days.
This is emotive and deeply touching for anyone who has struggled with an
addiction of any kind, which is why this one is so relatable.
The thing is here that regardless of whether it is drugs,
alcohol or even an addictive behaviour, many of us are touched with this
realisation and we don’t always understand that what we are doing is an
addictive behaviour. It is only when we finally understand and accept it for
what it is can we look to find the reasons and the help that will bring us back
from the addiction and help keep us in a better place with the ones we love.
You really get this sense that what Layman is saying here is
don’t stop doing what you are doing in finding a way back to being your true
self. By being truly open and bearing his soul on this track, it such an
inspiration to others out there to do the same. So, don’t stop and don’t give
up, you can do it.
Great track that I found instantly relatable, I had an
addictive behaviour that I did not understand could cause so, much pain, and so
accepting that and changing the way I was, as a hard thing but, the benefits
were so great. The production from Abstract Sounds is boom bap infused but, has
a deep vibe about it that makes it work so well with message within. Layman
paints a harsh but necessary picture of the struggles behind addiction and
coming at the other side. His vocals flow in a way that allow the impact of
each line to sink deep into your awareness but, at the same time, there is that
energy that uplifts too.
This is a cracking track that will live with you long after
the speakers have fallen silent…
Don’t Stop is out now on Definition Records for Download or streaming.
I have something a little different for you today which is a
bit of UK Garage. Now, Niques is a Greek/Indian Welsh artist residing in Wales,
so you may or may not be familiar with her music. For those of you who are not
so familiar, she has been making music for the last ten years or so, releasing
her first single ‘Love Mixed with Aggression’ in 2020. Niques brings a
relatable nostalgic UK Garage sound while also dabbling in some RnB as well.
Her infectious personality at live shows has seen her share the stage with
names such as Grandmaster Flash, D Double E and Jordy, while also receiving
radio play from KISS, BBC 1Xtra, Radio 1 and Repersentz Radio. She has also
worked with BBC Bitesize and been a nominee for Rising Star at the Youth Music
Awards. Niques is currently working on her first EP which will be dropping
later this year.
So, its time for you to join me for MATE…
Produced by Chepstow based producer Lupole, this one has the
kinda sound that seems to scream summer vibes with its upbeat tempo and organ
notes. It definitely has the sound you hear across the long summer nights with
an inbuilt feel-good vibe and, after a few listens, I’m sure there will be a
lot of people who will get just that from it and not much more. However, if you
chose to listen a little deeper then you will find that Niques is doing more
than just speaking to your feel-good energy centres. There is an internal
dialogue going on here too that takes the song to whole different dimension if
you chose to properly listen. Physical health issues have seen Niques battling
physical pain all her life, something I can relate to these days due to
Fibromyalgia, and what she does in this song is openly speak directly to her
pain, that aspect which has challenged her throughout life; and saying that she
recognises that pain but, she will not allow it to hold her back from achieving
her dreams.
So, as much as this is one of those summer bangers, it is
also an uplifting feel-good song for the soul and one that is not just a
cathartic expression for Niques, it is also a song that can fuel that same
strength within you, the listener. So, have a listen to MATE and then have
another listen, a deeper listen and see what it truly says to you because when
a song is written from the heart it speaks on so many levels, which level is it
speaking to you on.
Now, I might not be a lover of UK Garage, meaning that it is
not a sound I routinely listen to but, every now and again I hear a track that
I enjoy, which is true of most music genre’s if I’m honest, and MATE is one of
those tracks. It has a vibrant uplifting sound that gets those energetic feels
running through the body and Niques does a great job of switch between flows
and sounds as she delivers a heartfelt message in a way that gets you moving
while speaking to you on a different level, especially if you can truly relate
to it.
I can see this one being big during this year’s summertime
and I can only see things skyrocketing for Niques in the future.
MATE is out now and is definitely one to check out if you’re
feeling that Garage sound. Actually, just check it regardless cos it’s well
worth it.
Huge thanks to Niques for giving me the chance to bring this
one to you.
It was way back in April last year that I featured
Manchester MC, Cigarettes and Scratchcards with his single 1984. That review,
see link below, included some bio on the man, so this time I’m just gonna take
you straight into the review.
So, let’s go…
Now, the title of this one leaves little to the imagination
and conjures up a lot of thoughts and images of what this one could be about
but, before we go judging the title and what we might hear, lets just take a
listen.
As the heavy guitar kicks in, it’s immediately that this one
is not my usual Hip Hop sound, this one has a heavy punk sound that is courtesy
of live instruments. The vibe is high energy and the sound mixed with Cig’s
rapped vocals brings some interesting images to the mind, that will probably
appeal to some of the older Hip Hop crowd who, like myself, grew up in the 70’s
and 80’s where punk rock was still a huge scene.
So, what does Cig’s have to say one this one? The first
thing that you realise is that this single is not focused on an individual but,
just like the original punk records, this one is a look at our country and the
society we live in. So, the ‘Her’ in the title is Britannia, Great Britain or
how ever you chose to see it. This one is, as you might expect, a proper
political statement, in parts, with shots taken at the government, the banks,
and a lot more. The main message here is that, you might well love the country
in which you live but, the way that it is run by those who the people have
placed in the highest position of power, plays with that affection; you may
have been born here and have so much love for the family and friends that
surround you, feel so much connection with countryside and the ancient sites of
historical significance however, the struggles placed upon you by government,
the banking system, and the things outside of your control, really push you to
the point where you question the balance of love for the country over the
stress caused by the powers that be.
Overall, you might call this a fusion of Rap and Punk and it
is one of those tracks that might appeal to one camp or the other but, there
will be a number of listeners that will enjoy that crossover sound and
understand exactly where Cig’s is coming from in delivering a message in this
way, as it reaches out beyond the rap or punk fans. But the real test for you
the listener, is to give this one a go, have a listen and feel what is being
said and then decide if it is for you.
For me it was not my normal sound but, that vibe mixed with
the strong statements within, really had me feeling this one. OK, so it might
not be something I’ll have on repeat necessarily but, it is one of those that
you can come back to when you need an escape from the norm or a bit of a rant
at the establishment, something that is needed right now, if we’re honest
right!
I Luv Her but She Does My Fuckin’ Ed In by Cigarettes and
Scratchcards is out now on all the usual streaming platforms.
Big up to Cigs for sending me something a little different
to get my head into.
Till next time,
I’m Out.
Steve
LINKS
All the links for streaming this single and more can be found Here:
Both Steg G and Freestyle Master are no strangers to the
blog with Freestyle Master featuring on Steg G’s Demons album back in June last
year, they also contributed to the album No Justice No Peace by the Scottish
Hip Hop Artists For Equality back in 2020. With Freestyle Master being a major
contributor to the recent releases by Steg G, Times Like These comes as
a hotly anticipated follow-up to their last full release together The
Freedom Frequency (2017).
Conceptually, Times Like These see’s the Glaswegian duo
exploring abstractions based around the nature of time itself. The album was
released through Powercut Productions at the end of February this year, so
there is a good chance that some of you have already heard the album and might
have an idea of what to expect but, there will be those of you who have yet to
open your ears to this album or even to the music of Steg G and Freestyle
Master, so I hope you’ll all join me as I take you through the ten tracks of
Times Like These from top to bottom…
The guy’s kick things off with Welcome 2 My World
which features a pounding drum beat with some piano vibes that have an almost
eerie quality to them, creating a heavy head nod sound with dark edge to it.
This one is set in the present moment and looks at the harsh realities of life
and society in the current world we live in. Although, its not all harsh as
Leafdog and High Focus, from my neck of the woods, get a mention, which casts
your mind to the work of one of UK Hip Hops dopest, dragging your mind away,
albeit briefly, from the dark times around you. The eerie piano vibes continue
on Between The Lines, which mixes with other keys, a melodic drum beat
and a sprinkling of that more modern cymbal tapping sound, giving this one a
heavy sound that seems to weigh heavy on your mind. Here we have a sobering
story of how time gets away from you and how drugs and alcohol can also taint
your view of how you spent that time. To you the experience may have been fun
and enjoyable, when in reality, it was far from that. Next, we move to the
albums title track Times Like These. A heavy drumbeat, cymbals and nerve
stretching keys combine to infiltrate your mind to put your focus on the
lyrics. The mind and how we fight our own inner demons, seems to be the focus
of this track; I mean, how many of us have sat in a tough spot we have been in
before and thought to our selves ‘how many times is this gonna happen to me’?
It’s less about the passage of time here and more about the repetitive nature
of the struggles we all face, and yet still we forge forward, no matter the
adversity…
All We Got has a sound that brings to mind a
nightmarish vision with a sparce beat, keys and nerve shredding electronic
sounds on the bridge, all combining to bring a sound that has you questioning
the nature of reality. What you get from this one is the imbalance and
inequality in social standing. This is an issue that is almost as old as time
itself, where the few appear to hold all the balance of power, when in reality
it is Us, the many, those looked on as the lower classes that possess the real
power and in our current reality we need to look to each other for the strength
to use that power in the most positive way. More pounding drums and electronic
notes bring a sound that has elements of the electro sound. What this does is
to raise the mood slightly to give you a more open mind for Cause And Effect.
This might be a shorter track but, the impact of the words are not dumbed down
in any way. This is a deep look at the fact that ‘what you give is what you
get’ and ‘every action has a reaction’, what you realise here is that things
that happen in our past have an impact on our futures. People mistreated in
their youth often perpetuate similar behaviours in their adult life, that’s
just one example but, leaves you feeling that there is a lot to be said for the
saying ‘treat others as you would have them treat you’, it leaves you with much
to contemplate. The electronic notes on Spitefully Grimey has a very
John Carpenter soundtrack vibe, in fact the whole track has that vibe, making
you feel that you are not just listening to something but, being a part of it
too; or it that it’s a part of you? That feeling is well placed as this track
could be about anyone of us, the good and bad aspects of life and the things we
have all done. As you look back at your life, can you honestly say that these
words do not describe you too, think about it…!
The Poison is the only track on the album to have a
feature as CCTV joins Freestyle Master on vocals. Steg G’s sound here is piano
heavy alongside the heavy beat. The cymbal sound and switch up on the drum beat
serves to tweak your nerves keeping you focused on the vocals. This one looks
at all those individual moments where the negative words and judgements of
others impacted on our desire or motivation to reach or achieve something.
Although, there are also times when those same derogatory words may even have
spurned us to go that extra mile just to prove them wrong. It’s all about who
we are and how we chose to take the words and opinions of others, they can nock
us back or push us forward, we decide the outcome. Our minds and nerves are
once more tested with the electronic sounds and notes that such a part of the
sound on She’s A Psycho. The drumbeat is still there and keeps you
nodding as you listen to this tale of a moment in time where beauty hid the
beast. This could just be a story but, just as easily this is a cautionary tale
to be aware that not everyone is who they appear to be on the outside,
something that might have happened to anyone of us, it has certainly happened
to me in the past. The piano and horns on Rewind, mix with the boom bap
drum beat to get the energy pumping and the head nodding with a real uplifting
sound. Sometimes you can hear a track that doesn’t just take you back to a
moment but, to many moments dotted throughout your life and this is one of those.
Speaking on those good friends we meet along the way; the kind of friends we
think we’ll always be together. Sometimes we loose touch or those people pass
away but, they always hold a special place in our hearts and this one really
reminds you of and rewinds you to those moments and those friends. Before you
realise it, you’re at the final track of the album Sunset, where organ notes serenade
you ears for nearly half the track before the beats drops in bringing more
energy but not overshadowing the emotive nature of the sound. That emotive
feeling is reflected in the lyrics which look at aspects of human nature But,
more than that there is a sunrise and a sunset in all our lives, and it is what
we do with the time we have that defines us so, remember to seize each moment
and be the greatest expression of who you truly are and create a magnificent
sunset…
We measure the passing of each moment we experience under
the veil of construct we call time but, this helps us create reference points
we can use to remember specific events, things that have happened that have a
deep or life changing impact of our lives as we move along the path of life,
and Times Like These puts some of these impressions into our awareness
in a way that is enjoyable but, at the same time emotive, doing it in such a
way as to create something that is easily relatable by anyone listening and who
choses to really listen and feel between the lines.
Both Steg G and Freestyle master, in their own way,
perfectly emulate this feeling of the passing of time, reflection, everything
in-between and beyond. Steg G uses his production skills to craft these
stunning musical backdrops that bring these musical triggers for our own
emotions. Alongside this Freestyle Master brings his lyrical prowess, flows and
emotive story telling that uses his own lived experience to bring our own
personal experiences to the surface; together they create this etheric link
with the listener, where the individual experiences feel like one shared
experience and the essence of time become more than a linear measure and more
of place where we all live, separate but, inexorably linked.
Now, all that deep thought aside, Steg G is on fire here
with production that captures the essence of each track. The sound has one huge
foot planted firmly on the side of Hip Hop but, along the way, there are many
other influences that come in, adding extra depth to the sound. I have never
been a fan of this this more modern sound that includes this high paced cymbal
sound, its just a personal thing however, it does not take anything away from
this album, what it does do is to broaden the listener base because Hip Hop
heads will love it and the younger generation who like the trap, grime and
other vibes, will also get something out of this one too. It has a good cross
genre sound and there is nothing wrong with having that because music is more
than just one genre. Freestyle Master does a superb job here by bringing his
A-game and mixing up the flows, wordplay and using lived experiences to bring a
deep level of relatability to every track. He also displays flows that show
influences from other sounds too, adding that aspect which will make listeners
of other genre’s enjoy what he has to say. What is plainly obvious though is
that Steg G and Freestyle Master have this rapport that allows them to work
perfectly together, and you get this feeling that each knows exactly what the
other is thinking, in a musical context.
Times Like These is a very deep but, expressive album that
really invites the listener to listen, feel and remember what happens over the
passage of time and that every experience in any one moment can have far
reaching implications but, what is most important is that every moment we
experience makes us who we are so, live those moments to the fullest.
Times Like These is out now on Powercut Productions and available on streaming,
digital and limited-edition vinyl.
My thanks to both Steg G and Freestyle Master for the chance
to bring my impressions to you.
I’m Out,
See ya next time.
Steve.
LINKS
Times Like These is available from the following links:
Cardiff emcee/producer 4Dee is back with his latest release,
Down The Rabbit Hole, on his own Veteran Records imprint. I have
featured his releases a couple of times on the blog, first with the album
‘Shots Fired’ and with the singles 40 Years and The WOW Signal. Released at the
end of March this year, this is a six track EP that promises some straight up
Hip Hop combined with 4Dee’s penchant for not shying away from controversial
and maybe a little esoteric subject matter.
So, let’s not hang around here and dive straight Down The
Rabbit Hole…
We dive straight into it with Microphone Savage, where
a heavy pounding boom bap beat provides the backdrop. In fact, this hits so
heavy, it brings enough energy to vibrate every bone in your body. Like so kind
of modern-day pied piper, 4Dee uses slick lyricism and a vocal tone infused
with more than enough assertiveness, to create a vibe that grips you and sends
you down the rabbit hole before you know what’s happening. Spinning lines on
why he is savage on the mic, you forget what is going on beyond that sound and
you become lost in the Hip Hop music. Now that you are well on your way into
the music, drums hit with some nerve shedding organ notes and a hint of guitar
too, its time for some Verbal Shadow Boxing. Produced by Acko and
featuring DJ Jaffa on the cut, this one ramps up the energy levels, drawing you
deeper into the music. 4Dee’s flow and insane lyrical fury takes hold of your
awareness and spins you out of control as he pummels your mind with hit after
hit of verbal intensity, punching a hole between one universe and the next.
With your mind reeling from the intensity, things take a sudden U-turn with Strike
Lightning and Thunder. The beat is still heavy but more subdued with a
chilled acoustic guitar vibe. Delisha joins 4Dee to take you on a trip that
takes you deep into the rabbit hole as they look at a post pandemic country
where negativity and despair are the new norms; this is a place where
conspiracies and control of the masses abound, a dark place, reflecting what
just might be going on beyond the doors, walls and deep in the halls of
government. Believe it or not this is where the rabbit hole takes you and it is
only some brief moments of soulful vocals on the bridge that give you a glimpse
of a more positive future.
Datrilshit sees a return to that pounding boom bap
sound where the drumbeat takes the forefront, raising the energy levels once
more as DJ Jaffa brings the cuts once more, cutting deep into your soul. Here,
we find 4Dee bringing the one thing we all love about Hip Hop, that real shit.
It’s all about what makes an emcee who they are, the lyrics, the flows, and
their individuality; alongside that is their ability bring the kind of music
that makes the crowd go crazy, that’s it, plain and simple. Before you realise
it, you’re in the realms of the penultimate track, wondering what’s next and
where you might end up. DJ Jaffa is back on the cut once more as Mind Over
Matter hits with heavy drums and eerie keys. The beat has you looking this
way and that while 4Dee spins bars and verses around one simple message that
sinks deep into your awareness subliminally. That message is that you are the
architect of your own destiny, you are the one who can make your dreams become
reality, you just have to keep those dreams in the forefront of your mind and
don’t lose sight of what is most important. Do that, and the only thing that is
impossible, is that anything is impossible! The final track drops with a
realisation that you’re not lost in the rabbit hole at all, you’re just waking
up to the truth of reality. It is the heavy guitar vibes and sparse drums of
Acko’s production on Putting In Work that help bring that realisation to
life by creating a sound that tightens the frayed nerves and, with the help of
DJ Jaffa on the cut, awakens you, bringing you back into the room. 4Dee spits
the kind of lyrics that bring focus to your fogged mind. In fact, he continues
to allude to message from the previous track, with more vigour, he tells you
that by putting in the work, you make yourself who you are, you craft yourself
into the true expression of the self.
Down The Rabbit Hole takes you on a journey that
might seem a lot longer than it is. Within those six tracks and Twenty-Two
minutes 4Dee takes you places and opens your mind to thoughts you might never
have conceived of had you not exposed yourself to this EP. The Rabbit Hole is a
place where you can cast out any thoughts of what you thought reality was. Here
nothing is taboo and all the things you thought were just conspiracy theories
or someone’s tainted view of the world, now seem to be far more plausible.
There is some great work here that keeps you guessing as to
exactly what you’re listening to, in terms of its message, and you can easily
just enjoy the whole experience without thinking too much but, then if, like
me, you want to give it the time, it can take you to different ways of seeing
the world around you and that’s the power of the music and the words contained
within.
The production on Down The Rabbit Hole is top notch
from both 4Dee and Acko, bringing you Hip Hop vibes that you can really feel
the energy of, and also help to bend and merge reality at the same time, which
is all ably assisted by the cuts from DJ Jaffa, for me these cuts don’t just
scream Hip Hop on this one but, really give that edge to the tweaking of
reality. I also have to give props to Delisha who I have not heard before but,
who makes a great appearance here with both her rap skills and those soulful
sung elements too.
4Dee shows us, once more, that he really is a solid emcee by
switching flows and displaying a range of lyricism that has he can switch from
being lyrically fun to suddenly being far more complex and intellectual. I also
like the fact that he is not afraid to tackle those esoteric subjects and be
completely open and honest about his thoughts on the world around him.
For me it’s a no brainer to recommend this one to you, so if
you’ve not heard it already, I suggest you give it a listen as soon as
possible.
Now, it’s not often that a single drops in front of you that
generates the kind of excitement as a full album but, the latest release by
Seek The Northerner on Northentic Records is one such example.
All The Way Live is a posse cut that is produced by
Seek and features a stunning line up of emcees along side him, and not only
that but, it also features DJ Robert Smith (2016 DMC Germany Champion, Dusty
Donuts 45s, Smith & Smart), which really raises the bat when it come to the
anticipation stakes…
So, before I really get into this track, just who is lining
up on this track? In order of how they appear there is Sublingual, Lomax, Seek,
Farma G, Eskar, Hinesy, Assa, Ill Sykes, Ken Masters, Micky Swags, Benny
Diction and Doberman, I mean, what more do I need to say here, let’s face it,
nothing, I’ll say no more and just take you on a ride through this track…
The beat is comprised of a solid head nod drum beat with
Harpsichord style keys creating a melody that carries you along, the only
change is on the bridge which brings cuts from DJ Robert Smith and a brief
switch from keys to Flute notes. Across the next five and a half minutes or so,
you get six verses, each featuring two emcess dropping around twenty seconds or
so of their finest bars. This is not a track with a theme or a particular
message, what you get here is akin to a live freestyle, where each emcee steps
up to the mic and throws down for your listening pleasure.
When most of you think of a posse cut, you’re probably
thinking of heavy hardcore beats with furious in your face style lyrics but, Seek
seems to approach it from a different angle with the type of beat you can nod
and move along to, without launching you into the atmosphere, and the lyrics
from each emcee have that grown man Hip Hop quality to them and, because the
beat bangs but never loses you, you are still able to concentrate on the words,
giving them and by default, the emcee, the time and recognition they deserve.
I don’t need to interpret every line here because this is a
track that needs to be heard and enjoyed by the listener as it keeps to engaged
from top to bottom. That is exactly what I did, enjoy every minute of it, and that
is exactly what I suggest you do.
All The Way Live is probably one of the best posse
style cuts I’ve heard so far this year and sets the bar pretty high for anyone
who wants to follow suit. This is some of the cream of UK talent out there
right now, there might be a few names you are not that familiar with but, by
the time this one is over, you are gonna know every one of them and what they
have to offer and Seek shows that he is quickly becoming one of the driving
forces on the UK scene as both emcee and producer.
All The Way Live drops on 5th April and is
one of those tracks that has the quality to keep you going back to it over and
over but, don’t take my word for it, check it for yourself.
Oh! Did I forget to mention you can get it for free...
My thanks to Seek The Northerner for giving me the chance to
bring this one to you.
Time for me to be out, gotta give this one another listen.
See Ya,
Steve
LINKS
All The Way Live is available from Northentic Records Bandcamp Here:
