Manners and
Respect
By
Marking the final album which I have in my list that came to
me last year, It’s good to have Jonie D, TJ Chill and Peekaboo, aka KAOS Krew,
back on the blog with their most recent album Manners and Respect. This
is their fourth studio album which is produced by Jonie D.
As noted in the press release, Manners and Respect is an
album that reflects the Krew’s trademark blend of roots-conscious lyricism
and grounded production. They also note that the album stands as a
testament to longevity, message, and the timeless power of true-school artistry.
Those few words alone will speak volumes to those true
school heads out there. They also give someone like myself plenty to think
about as I get ready to do a deep dive into the album.
So, Let’s get into it…
Manners and Respect is a twelve track album that was
released in November of last year (2025). It begins with the albums title track
Manners and Respect. A heavy drumbeat and acoustic guitar give this one
a mariachi feel, especially when the horns kick in on the bridge, giving you
cause to nod your head along to the beat. As you listen to this one you really
get the feel that not only is this one setting the tone of the album but, there
is the fact that both manners and respect go hand in hand. Something which is
true in so many aspects of life, you need to have respect for those who have
come before you and paved the way. When you find yourself in the presence of
these people it is only right that your respect is matched by your manners in
how you behave. This might initially be something you think of in the rap game
but, it goes beyond that, far beyond. With you now in the correct frame of
mind, up next is Don’t Play That, The solid boom bap sound here is
backed by guitar notes and a classic computer game loading sound, from back in
the eighties. The heavy sound here has an energy that fires you up from the
get-go. There is an edge to the lyrics here, one that speaks a lot because, in
life there are a lot of things that you should not play with and a great many
other things that it is ok to play with. Here the Krew detail some of the things
you should never play with, just as they don’t play around with their music; in
not playing with their music, they invite you to step up, because this is one
of the things you can play with and enjoy in life. Lickshot hits with a
funk fuelled vibe on the beat, mixed with strings and guitar vibes that all
merge to bring you a big upbeat sound. Here the only shots being fired are
those of the verbal kind, and the Krew do a cracking job of unloading some high
calibre wordplay with pinpoint accuracy, giving the listener plenty to enjoy
and bounce to.
Patrizio is a word of Italian origin, meaning Nobleman,
and puts you in mind of Jonie D’s Italian roots, before the tracks even begins.
The sound hits with a solid beat backed by bongo’s, harmonica and vocal samples
which all combine to bring a sound that has an infectious feel to it. As you
listen to the vocals, the wordplay has this tendency to take you off in
different directions as the Krew speak on AI and subjects that make you wonder
just what nobleman is, are we all not noblemen in some way, shape and form? We
all have our standing in life and how we conduct ourselves and present
ourselves says a lot about who we truly are. Now, I’m not saying that I might
have nailed the meaning behind this one but, there is this feeling that it says
a lot about who we are and how we see ourselves that truly gives us that noble
standing, and not necessarily because we were born into some so called
bloodline. Stains brings us a wicked boom bap sound that gets you
nodding as soon as it hits, but there is also a deep edge to the sound too.
This one deals with the stains that are left by the things we do, be that on a
personal level or those of a country. All actions have a consequence and very
often those consequences leave an indelible stain on your reputation as a
person or as a nation. Sometimes these stains can’t be avoided, but there are
many times when the choices we make are the difference. With those thoughts
still raw in our minds, Cap brings another sound that has a heavy beat
with guitar vibes and vocal samples that gives this one thoughtful storytelling
air about it. The Krew goes in deep on this one giving you much to think about,
because a cap has many meanings. We use caps to cover things, stop things, even
signify the end or the limit of something. When you consider all these
different meanings and listen to the track, you realise that the Krew is diving
deep into everything that happens from a more personal level, as you cover you
head or face with a cap, to looking at more of what happens in society around
us. Everything affects us in some way and not all of it can be avoided.
Halfway through the album and already the KAOS Krew has
given us much to enjoy and ponder along the way. So, what will Reality
bring to the table. This one hits with a heavy bass reggae sound which vibrates
through your entire body. This one is a look at the fact that reality is like a
double edged sword, it can reflect how we are feeling and help raise us up but,
there are also the times when it appears to be completely at odds with how we
are feeling! The thing is, not to let that stark reality to affect you, but to
give you a reason to see it and use it to your own ends. Next Plateau
continues a sound that has that Hip Hop reggae vibe with drums and horns. The
title might immediately put you in mind of the classic NYC Record label but,
for me, this one had a different feel that seemed to speak on always looking to
raise yourself up, even the face of adversity. You can feel comfortable, for a
time, but sooner or later you need to test yourself, push yourself on to the
next plateau, a place you can feel safe until ready to push yourself once more.
Next up, the Kaos Krew bring us a Big Sound with heavy drums and bass,
in fact saying this one is Big is totally on point here. The idea of things
being big, continues in the lyrics where all things big are explored and
reinforced. There is a feeling that this one has a slightly light-hearted edge
to it as well as pounding your ears.
As we head into the final quarter of the album, Funky
brings the kinda intro that hypes you up, after this the beat is solid head nod
with some nice bass notes and wicked samples to boot. This one sees the Krew
dropping some slick wordplay to get you bouncing and grinning. This one is an
example of the kinda lyricism the guys can drop when they are not focusing on
deeper subject matter. The penultimate track is Diamonds. Here we have a
heavy reggae sound of keys behind the heavy beat, which gets you moving with
the energy it brings. The brings us a track that looks at everything that is or
could be considered to be a Diamond. From the description of an actual diamond,
to tracks and more that are some special they given that diamond status. The
Album ends with Ajer, a word that has a number of meanings including
reward or prize. The sound has that acoustic guitar sound accompanying the
heavy drum beat, giving this that mariachi vibe once again. Here there is a
distinct link to the idea of a prize or reward, but also there is also much to
be said about just what drives someone to seek the prize and what the ultimate
reward might be. Too many times, we see that people seek money for their own
ends. Billionaires gain and keep wealth they can never spend while so many
people live in poverty. On the flip side of this you have the likes of the Kaos
Krew whose only prize is to be the best they can be, at the top of their game,
and the same can be said of a great many of us, and it is something I see so
often when I review music that artists are not doing it for the monetary gain
but, for the love of what they do. I guess that is key here, what are you seeking
and why are you seeking it…
What is immediately noticeable with Manners and Respect
is that the KAOS Krew, once more bring us an album that is packed with
intelligent subject matter and wordplay. Every track, even those that have that
display of wordplay and less heavy on the subject matter, has this lyrical edge
that just seems to hit a little deeper than most. They almost spin their
wordplay in a way that makes you constantly second guess what you hear,
something that gives you reason to replay every track in order to help you
grasp exactly what is being said. The impact is quite intense at times, which
works so well with the depth of what is being said.
This is the kind of album that shows the range of what KAOS
Krew is capable of, delivering tracks that speak to the soul as much as they
speak to your adrenaline levels. There is a lot here that we can all associate
with as much of it focuses on subjects that we all see and face every day of
our lives, and this is why they feel so deep and seem to hit us on many levels.
There is that underlying tone to the album that focuses very much on the idea
of everyone behaving with manners and respect in everything they do, because we
live in a world where so any of those in positions of power look down on most
of the population, only giving a level of manners and respect to those they
consider their equals or more.
Jonie D brings some quality production here too. Drawing on
a number of different inspirations to create a sound that has its roots in real
Hip Hop but, also brings enough variation to keep you guessing at times. Every
track has a sound that brings its own energy and hits in different ways. Being
both highly enjoyable and emotive at the same time, considering what frame of
mind you are in and how you want to hear it.
As I have already noted the lyrics and wordplay is
intelligent and at times complex, delivered in a way that means you have to
focus to get the full impact from their delivery. Something that brings that
element of longevity to the album as it not one of those you are likely to tire
of quickly.
The full impact of the album is something that you need to
experience for yourself. So, if you have not checked this one yet, then I
highly recommend that you have a listen soon, because Kaos Krew are not to be
slept on.
Manners and Respect is out now, and I give my thanks to TJ
Chill, Jonie D and Peekaboo for the chance to bring this one to you.
I’ll see ya next time.
Steve.
LINKS
Grab your copy here:
https://kaoskrewldn.bandcamp.com/album/manners-and-respect
KAOS Krew Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/kaoskrewldn/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgx1VZOcV5Qn9g4XmODXfvQ
https://www.youtube.com/@OriginalRockerzChannel
Read the review of Over The Iron Bridge Here:
https://infinitesoundsuk.blogspot.com/2024/03/album-review-over-iron-bridge-by-kaos.html
VIDEOS
Manners and Respect
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