EP Review: Every Line On Point EP by MC Juice Produced by Bankrupt Europeans

 

Every Line On Point EP

By

MC Juice

Prod by Bankrupt Europeans

 

It’s been a while since I last had the Bankrupt Europeans here on the Blog but, what a release it is to have them back with. The Every Line On Point EP see’s MC Juice return too and this EP also sees the first 12 inch release for sometime on the Nobody Buys Records label.

The EP features five main tracks which includes a hot new track, All Day which also gets a remix as well, there are two remixes of the track Unseen from 2021, plus a remix of 2020s Where You Go. These are all brand new versions and Digital copies also come with instrumentals and an accapella of Where You Go. As always, cuts are by DJ Grazzhoppa and the cover art comes from Big Crunch.

 

Without further ado, lets get straight into it…

So, I am going to break with tradition here for this review. Normally I will review a release from top to bottom but, just for this this release, I’m going to treat you to my review of the hot new track and the remix, before I get into the other remixes.

The hot new track here is All Day which has this infectious funk fuelled sound of drums, bass and guitar vibes that gets you moving and grooving from the get-go. Here MC Juice speaks almost matter-of-factly on the things he sees around him and also what it is to be himself, doing what he does in the rap game. There is a hint of that rap braggadocio too as he lays everything on the table in a charismatic way. The track is rounded off with Grazzhoppa getting busy on the cut, what more do you need right…

The All Day (Puffed Hard Remix) brings this real dope drum beat that gets you moving; this is backed by this eclectic mix of sounds from flute to electronic sounds, giving this a vibe that almost has you floating away to the sound but, those electronic elements just about keep you grounded in reality. It adds another depth of feeling to MC Juice’s lyrics, allowing you to really get into what’s being said again. Once we find that it is Grazzhoppa’s cuts that round everything of in style.

Now it’s time for me to tackle those new remixes…

For the Unseen (Chaotic Resonance Remix) the heavy beat is backed with this well, chaotic mix of electronic vibes and so much more, giving this one a head nodding, mind numbing vibe. Grazzhoppa brings us some razor-sharp cuts to proceedings, just to reinforce the solid Hip Hop vibe. I reviewed the original and my opinion of the lyrics of MC Juice still stands “On the streets of this shadowy world MC Juice drops some intense vocals that are unapologetic and seep into your physical body and then reach beyond into your soul. He demonstrates what he does best, taking out emcees and getting to the top of the pile and once there he can just walk away, still at the top, because he has done it all from shadows leaving those emcees in his wake wondering what happened as their opponent came and went in style but, still Unseen”.

The second remix of Unseen comes next, the Unseen (Superior Vibes Remix). My opinion on MC Juice, again does not change here but, the Bankrupt Europeans bring this pounding drum beat backed by this cinematic sound of percussion vibes which give this a very different overall vibe, which teases you into closing your eyes and drifting off in another plane as you allow the vibes and lyrics to sink into your awareness. It is only Grazzhoppa’s cuts that bring you back to the present.

We finish up with the Where You Go (String Theory Remix), where the original had this upbeat almost summer flavour to it, this remix brings this orchestral sound alongside the drum beat, which has been dialled back slightly. This gives the track a whole new sound which seems to seep into every fibre of your body, making you feel it on many levels. MC Juice is on fine form once more as he gives you a fine display of the very essence of rap. This is what its all about with MC Juice drop bars for the fun of it show just how good he truly is. Grazzhoppa also brings the kind of cuts that are the icing of the Hip Hop cake right here.

 

Ultimately this EP takes me back to a time when it was almost customary that any single release was closely followed by a remix single or remix EP. The Bankrupt Europeans and MC Juice do it in style here by giving us four hot remixes and a hot new track to boot. It also ticks all the right boxes when it comes to a Hip Hop release. Each remix brings a new vibe but, keeps its roots squarely in the Hip Hop sound. Plus, it shows why there is not question as to the pedigree of the skills of MC Juice who gives a solid display of his rap skills and wordplay, mixing up the true essence of rap with those lived experiences and observations of life.

The Every Line On Point EP title, almost does not do the EP, as a whole, justice because every line from MC Juice is totally on point but when you take the production and cuts into account, every line becomes more that just that, it becomes a track, an audible work of art. So, yes, every line is on point but, every track is point too and I kinda want to call it the ‘Everything is On Point’ EP, if you see what I mean.

Overall, this is another solid release from Nobody Buys Records and is the perfect platform to display both the emcee skills of MC Juice, the turntable skills of Grazzhoppa and the Production skills of the Bankrupt Europeans. Sleep on this one at your peril…

My huge thanks to Snafu you giving me the chance to bring you this one and for the pics too.

The Every Line On Point EP is out now. The vinyl copies are all selling quick so don't sleep on them.

On that note, I’ll see you next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy of the EP Here:

https://nobodybuysrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mc-juice-every-line-on-point-ep

or Here...

https://nobodybuysrecords.bigcartel.com/products

MC Juice on Instagram

 https://www.instagram.com/juice4real/

Bankrupt Europeans and DJ Snafu socials:

https://www.instagram.com/djsnafu/

https://www.facebook.com/BankruptEuropeans

https://www.facebook.com/djsnafu

Nobody Buys Records Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/NobodyBuysRecords

https://www.instagram.com/nobodybuysrecords/

VIDEOS

Every Line On Point EP YouTube Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kTaQLIbUXto_5u8gof6EaRCdc6y9-wfhI

ALL DAY

ALL DAY (Puffed Hard Remix)

UNSEEN (Chaotic Resonance Remix)

 

EP Review: Ed Koch EP by Cut Beetlez and King Dion

 

Ed Koch EP

By

Cut Beetlez & King Dion

 

It is always good to have new music from my good friends the Cut Beetlez from Finland, and this time they are back with a new EP collaboration with King Dion, an emcee/DJ and producer out of Atlanta Georgia in the US.

The ED Kock EP is not the first time they have worked together as King Dion featured on the 2022 release by Cut Beetlez and The Food Lord ‘God Keep Me Safe In This Shity Place’. In fact, The Food Lord repays the fact by featuring on the final track of the EP. It was following this initial collaboration that they decided to keep working together on more projects.

You can bet that this one is going to be packed with some of the Cut Beetlez slick experimental production, which always keeps you wondering whats coming, so the best thing we can do here is to see exactly what Cut Beetlez and King Dion have in store for us on the Ed Kock EP.

 

The EP kicks off with the title track Ed Kock, which sees the Cut Beetlez on fine form bringing a fresh sound which seems to reflect the feeling of the warm summer weather. It might take you a few listens to really get a feel for what King Dion is putting across here but, for me, I got that there was this sense that it was all about being you own person, walking solo and not letting others get a hold of or control your own creativity and path in life. It might seem like a lot to pack into less than two minutes but, he really does say a lot here and you just need time to feel it.

Next up is Mommasum which has this big boom bap sound, full of horns, cuts and a pounding beat, which gets the adrenaline levels pushing up as you listen. What you are gonna get out of this one is a huge sense of respect, it really is just that simple here. You can feel that respect that King Dion has for his mom and those around him who are the closest, like family and friends, himself included. Wherever you are in life, whatever you’re doing, you gotta maintain that lever of respect for those who have always been there for you and that is where this one takes you.

Topshelfer has this laid-back sound that has a sparse drum beat with keys, while the bridge switches the vibe just enough to keep you guessing. What we get from King Dion here is that rap bragadochio vibe as he makes it plain and simple where he sits in the game. Here its all about claiming that top spot, right there on the top shelf and staying there.

The final track of the EP is Mr Overall which features The Food Lord and sees the Cut Beetlez strip the sound back even further here. The sparce beat has some flute elements and creates this almost far eastern meditative vibe, this brings the focus to the lyrics. There could be a number of things that this one is saying as you listen but, what I got from this is really making sure your involved in something, being a part of something and not just standing by and letting things slide. Whether you are standing up for yourself or for another person, stand up and make a difference. The appearance of The Food Lord here gives the track an extra dimension as his delivery and vocals have a more gritty and raw edge to them.

 

Once more we find that the Cut Beetlez production gives us something different on every track here. The first two tracks, although having differing sounds both have this vibe that is upbeat and energetic, giving you something to move to. The second two tracks have more of a thoughtful or reflective vibe. But, at times, the lyrics are almost at odds with the sound, like walking a mountain trail where there is a drop of several hundred feet to one side, you have foundation of the path and are enjoying it but, there is also that sense you are almost on a knife edge, it just works when you think that it won’t. It’s all about the Cut Beetlez consistently giving the emcee a challenge with which to rap to, which always brings elements that are making the emcee challenge themselves as well.

King Dion does a great job here with vocals that laid-back but, also have an intensity and complexity that hit you just as much as if you were listening to high paced rap style, it makes you want to go back and listen again to see what you missed, even though you have not missed a word. But he does a great job of making his words and flows fit with what the Cut Beetlez have places before him, which makes him worthy of that place on the top shelf and there is more to come from him, so he is one to watch.

Overall, the Ed Kock EP continues the quality production of the Cut Beetlez and their way of creating a platform for both legendary and those lesser-known names in the rap game and giving them all a challenge to further push their names forward. The EP also will give many their first introduction to King Dion, who gives a solid performance and places his name fairly and squarely on list of ones to watch.

The Ed Koch EP is out now so, check it out and make your own mind up.

Huge thanks to DJ J-Man of the Cut Beetlez for giving me the chance to review this one.

I’ll see ya next time.

Steve

LINKS

Grab your copy of Ed Kock on Bandcamp Here:

https://cutbeetlez.bandcamp.com/album/ed-koch

Streaming links for Ed Koch Here:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/cutbeetlezandkingdion/ed-koch?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=Email+&utm_source=SendGrid

Cut Beetlez Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/cutbeetlez/

https://www.facebook.com/cutbeetlez

King Dion on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/officialkingdion/

Album Review: Jolicoeur by Configa x Tommy Evans

 

Jolicoeur

By

Configa x Tommy Evans

 

Whenever anything comes my way via UK Super Producer Configa, you can bet that there is always a fellow legendary name in Hip Hop attached and this one is no different. Jolicoeur is the hot new release from what is Hip Hop’s first Rapper/Producer PhD collaboration, yes indeed both Configa and veteran UK Emcee Tommy Evans, both have a PhD.

 

If you are familiar with the blog then you will know my previous reviews for Configa and be well acquainted with the main man himself, who has worked with the likes of Arrested Development, Chuck D and Big Daddy Kane alongside his producer albums but, this will be the first time I have featured Tommy Evans. I am not going to give you a huge lowdown on him but, for those of you who might not be familiar with his work; he was born in Leeds before making London his home. Introduced to Hip Hop in the early eighties, he began rapping seriously in 1995 and was linked with a number of crews before forming Junkyard Tactics in 1996. After JYT supported De La Soul in 1997, Tommy went solo in 1998, and linked up with the YNR Crew in Huddersfield before making his debut on Jehst’s 1999 “Premonitions EP” with the track Deadly Combination. Since that time he has dropped his own releases via YNR, his own label run with Jehst and Cee-Why, and worked along some of the UK’s best. His debut album, New Years Revolutions, came in 2004 on YNR. It is impossible for me to list Tommy’s collaborations and achievements here but just know that it is extensive and worldwide. I followed many of the YNR releases myself back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, so it is truly a pleasure to feature his work here.

 

The album Jolicoeur, meaning A Gallant Heart, is a homage to the late Dave of De La Soul but still encapsulates the artistic ethos and authenticity of both Configa and Tommy Evans. The project features appearances from Speech (Arrested Development), Sarah Sayed (Lebanese-American Poet), Matthew Allman and Malala, alongside some of London’s emerging vocal talents including Doella, Glorynade, Nyotaa, Tay-Shan, and VVN, there is even an appearance from another legendary UK emcee in the form of Kyza. You really get the sense, even before listening, that this album is shaping up to be something special, if maybe a little different. However, there is only one way to know that for sure and that is to follow me as I take you through my impressions of the album.

 

The album begins with Summertime which features Matthew Allman, Configa brings this stunning funk fuelled beat that has bass, guitars, and keys, all of which combine to give a vibe that is the very definition of how summer sounds. Matthew Allmans soulful vocals are like an audible summer breeze, cooling you from the heat. Tommy Evans brings some uplifting vocals that takes us on brief but enjoyable trip through the summer months, letting us know that it’s all about the things that uplift you and bring a smile to your face. That smile remains firmly planted on your face as the bass, drums and keys of Every Situation keeps the vibe going with an infectious sound that keeps you moving. This one sees Tommy Evans speaking on how you see yourself and the outcome of the situations you find yourself in every day. It’s all about keeping a positive outlook as you go into each one, even seeing yourself already living in the best possible outcome and keeping that faith as you walk forward.

 

They Are Not Expecting Us To Fight features Speech and sees regular collaborator Configa bring us a solid boom bap beat with guitar vibes that gets your head nodding and your fists pumping the sky. This one really has that revolutionary vibe to it, which really reflects the feelings of so many of us in today’s society. All round the world people are becoming fed up with the narratives imposed on them by the ruling elite and are standing up to be heard and to fight for their rights as free people. Straight after that feeling of the energy of millions of people all around the world coming together Getaway is about the opposite and brings keys, drums and bass to the table with a vibe that brings your focus back to the self with the jazzy vocals of Doella. This one really does look at taking time for yourself, doing whatever it takes to ground yourself and bring you back into who you truly are, because the world around you often gets too much with the constant influx of negative stimulus and just being you again is the best way to reset, regardless of how you achieve it…

 

We Made It features Tay-Shan and Sarah Sayad, Configa brings us the kind of uplifting sound that is reminiscent of his work with Arrested Development, bringing an infectious vibe you can’t help but move to. Tay-Shan’s soulful vocals, Sarah Sayad’s poetry and Tommy Evans’ lyrics all merge to bring you a vibe that brings those good feelings to the forefront as it lifts you up, making you think about all that you have achieved yourself, and invites you to really feel good about those moments because they made you who you are and put you in this place, in the here and now, so be proud of that because you made it too. Thunder and the sound of rain herald the arrival of The Water, featuring Glorynade, this one has drums and keys that bring a more Lo-Fi Hip Hop vibe, inviting you to listen a little bit more. In fact, this one invites you to think more about the part water plays in our lives and just how much our experiences with water so often mirror so many of life’s experiences. Water is critical to our survival, but it can also be detrimental if we drink too much; water can also help us travel to places or we can drown in it. We have to respect the part water plays in our lives and treat it with the respect it deserves.

 

Keep The Faith features Kyza and Nyotaa and has strings alongside the bass and drums, bringing a soulful vibe that you want to close your eyes to and just feel it. The message here is just to keep the faith that all will be ok. There are so many challenges that we are presented with in our day-to-day lives that it is easy to give up or look for the easy way out, but the important thing is to stay in a positive frame of mind and know that the brighter days are coming and soon enough the sun will shine on you. There is this mariachi guitar vibe on Senoritas, alongside a nice head nod beat too of course, that gets you in a reflective mood. VVN brings some chilled soul vibes here as it is all about how that special someone can bring so much to your life, bringing maturity and love. This one also made me reflect on just what feminine energy can bring to your life, you just have to be open to it.

 

The penultimate track is Memory Lane which features Doella’s jazzy vocals once more. Configa brings strings, bass and drums, creating a chilled feel-good sound. Tommy Evans takes us on an uplifting trip down his own memory lane, giving us a great insight into some of the experiences he has had along the way. As you listen, it kind of makes you cast your own mind back to some of those moments that were perhaps life defining or just those which you enjoyed, bringing a smile to your face again. The last track is Love Like This, which features Malala and has this big uplifting sound that will have you moving regardless. You can’t get more uplifting than love, and when you can express love for all that is around you, that is something special but, as Tommy says, when you can truly love yourself, then that is a love unlike anything you have ever felt until that moment. So, walk through life expressing love for all you see around you because the more love you give out, the more you will receive.

 

Now, it is not often that you will listen to an album that uplifts you and keeps you there throughout its duration, but Jolicoeur does just that, it really is a triumph in feel-good music. It really is hard to say anything more about this than it is a true pleasure to listen to. From start to finish, Jolicoeur raises you right up and holds you there, keeping you in this state of near euphoria. The energy seems to eminate from both the music and the lyrics and gives you the feeling that this album has been infused with good vibes. This album is like lighting a good incense, it fills your mind, body and soul with positive vibes, just like the way the incense fills the room with an uplifting aroma.

 

Configa proves, yet again, why he is one of THE go to Hip Hop producers as he brings the kind of uplifting energy infused beats that you just don’t want to turn off, which is really hard when you are trying to review because you don’t want to pause the track or stop it to keep writing. He has this knack of being in sync with whoever he is working with, bringing the perfect sound to life that will create a platform for their vocals and lyrics, and that is perfect for Tommy Evans here. I say that because Tommy’s lyrics are from the heart and come with this infectious positivity that takes over your whole body, just like the touch from Midas. To be honest, even the way his lyrics flow has an uplifting feel to it and that is why I say he performs from the heart, because when you truly come from the heart, a place of love, you project nothing but positive vibes into everything you do, and this album really does have that feel about it.

 

I would even say that all the guest artists who feature on this album also bring that air of positivity and love. They all fit so well into their places on the album, imbuing each track with an extra dimension of energy and feeling that speaks to you on an unconscious level, perfectly mirroring the overall energy of the album.

 

I really don’t think there is much more that I need to say here. Jolicoeur is an uplifting Hip Hop masterpiece that will make you feel good no matter the time of year you listen to it. However, it is out right now so I suggest you listen to it in the present…

 

My humble thanks to Configa once more for giving me the chance to do my thing on such a truly stunning album.

 

I’ll see ya next time.

 

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy from Bandcamp Here:

https://configa.bandcamp.com/album/jolicoeur

Streaming links and more for Configa Here:

https://linktr.ee/configa

Tommy Evans on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/tommyevansofficial/

Configa Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/configa

https://www.instagram.com/configa/

VIDEOS

Summertime (feat Matthew Allman)