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: Broken by Cut Beetlez and DeLa Forte

 

Broken

By

Cut Beetlez & DeLa Forte

 

In all the years I have been doing these reviews the most innovative music a have heard to date comes from the duo from Finland, The Cut Beetlez. These guys, DJ J-Man and HP Lovescratch, just seem to embody what it is to be Hip Hop whilst also being experimental in pretty much everything they do and one of their most recent offerings Broken, which features Viginia USA emcee DeLa Forte, is no exception.

I’m just gonna get right into this one and take you on a descriptive journey across 11 tracks of whatever the Cut Beetlez and DeLa Forte have cooked up for us…

 

The album kicks off with a beat that seems fractured in its mix of jazz samples, drums and cut up white noise/vinyl hiss, that is Fibonacci, you may not be sure of this at first but, very quickly it spirals through your awareness, like a true Fibonacci spiral, and you find yourself enjoying it. DeLa Forte speaks here and basically introduces himself to the listener. As the track ends you find yourself, once more, drawn into a strangely enjoyable mix of samples from far east music, big band, and ukulele, yeah it might sound like none of this works but, the Cut Beetlez make it work. There is no time to sit back and even contemplate what’s coming next as sparse drums, organ notes and guitars bring a laid-back funk fuelled sound. Rashad Sun joins DeLa Forte for Haters, which see’s them speak on those people who chose to hate on you for whatever reason, people who will speak down to you, be disrespectful and only want to see you fail. These are the people who seek failure in other because of the unacknowledged pain in their own lives, and so they can’t bear to see others succeed. A jazzy  trumpet and piano intro allow us to slide into Jazz and Violence, where the word broken is cut up, rapid drums pop up and there is this scratched record vibe which serves to create a fractured, even broken sound. DeLa Forte drops some rapid-fire lyrics that flow even though they appear to be the violence to the music’s jazz but, his words are only violent in their delivery and not in their content, at least that is what it seems.

Plastic drops with a sound and flute notes that almost seems to cause pressure in your mind, bells and electronic sounds add to that mind-numbing aspect, which seems to be bringing your mind into a strange focus. That focus is sharpened more as DeLa Forte slowly speaks all things that are around us that have no real substance, including those people who propose to be more than they are and mould a plastic mask for themselves, one that can easily be broken. An 8-Bit sound, horns, drums, claps, and vocal samples bring a more light-hearted sound with Merci, this one just seems to bring a smile to your face as you listen. DeLa Forte drops a few bars on what it is to be thankful for the things and people in your life. Next, it’s time to heat things up a little bit and get Spicy. The drums and sampled sounds seem to almost fizz through your awareness, sitting there just as the heat from a spicy chilli stays in your mouth. DeLa Forte gets laid-back and spicy on this one too, bringing a little extra heat to proceedings. Once more the Cut Beetlez add even more spice to the track which ends with some freaky sonic sounds and some WTF lyrics…

Having pretty much baked your head so far, the Cut Beetlez bring a little instrumental pallet cleanser your way. Piano, drums, rapid vocal samples, and record skip sounds on Broken Ship, bring a chilled vibe, in a way, but one that still keeps your mind sharp, wondering what’s coming next. Scareligious is what’s coming next, with strings, laid-back drums, and some seriously razor-sharp cuts. There is a chilled edge to this one, which is almost juxtaposed by those razor-sharp cuts slicing into your awareness. Over this we have DeLa Forte dropping a single verse where he muses on life, the kinda place your mind goes to when you’re at peace and in deep thought. Next is another instrumental track, Horny Skip brings horns, drums, bass, and record skips, to hit on some jazzy soundtrack vibe. There is this feeling that you are suspended somewhere between a big action piece and the threat of an approaching unknown that is creeping up on you…

If the Cut Beetlez intended you to feel like something was just around the corner then it the penultimate track, Bless The Child. The sound has a more funk feel to it with cymbals, piano, record skips and some soulful choral vocals, it all brings a slightly laid-back vibe. DeLa Forte is joined by Bobby Craves where each drops a single verse that appears to be speaking on the ups and downs of life and being able to stand strong in the face of adversity. The album ends on a short instrumental Skip Out, where piano, bass and record skips merge with speed and sound changes to form a chilled vibe that essentially skips you out of the album…

It never ceases to amaze me how the Cut Beetlez are able to pack so much into not much more than 20 mins. It will probably take you longer to read this than it will to listen to Broken but, what you will find is that those 20 mins will seem like a whirlwind where you will be picked up and whirled around in some experimental, alternate Hip Hop reality, before being calmly placed back into this 3D world wondering what you just heard, did it all make sense and should you listen again, just to make sure…

Overall, this is one of those you just want to sit back and listen to, just so that you can fully immerse yourself in the sonic, jazz funk, Hip Hop trip that is this Broken. Because Broken might feel like an alternate reality but, at the same time it can feel like sitting in a Smokey club enjoying the music while sipping your favourite tipple and musing on life around you. You can try and put your finger on exactly what’s going on here but, I would advise you just enjoy the sound, enjoy the words, and let it take you where it takes you, don’t think to much about it. I tried that, and now I’m sat in my loft room with a hoodie on shutting the world out as I try to explain to you what this album is all about…

Once again, the Cut Beetlez manage to bring something a little different with an emcee I’m not familiar with. DeLa Forte is an emcee who displays a solid lyrical style and who is also adept at switching between flows and styles to suit the sound. He draws on personal experience and street knowledge to add depth and feeling to his lyrics, whether he is spitting bars for fun or delivering more hard-hitting subject matter. DeLa Forte is definitely one to put on your radar.

There are only a few features on the album but, each one is well chosen and fits perfectly with the vibe of the individual tracks on which they feature.

I would say this… actually, I’m not gonna say anything more…

Broken by Cut Beetlez and DeLa Forte is out now.

I’m out now too,

See Ya.

Steve

LINKS

Get Broken from Cut Beetlez Bandcamp Here:

https://cutbeetlez.bandcamp.com/album/broken

Stream the YouTube Playlist Here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_laa0DWCwplKsJshjHFblyoxciOHS9KAJs

DeLa Forte on Bandcamp Here:

https://delaforte757.bandcamp.com/

 

Album Review: Jazz Spastiks Vs Cut Beetlez

 

Jazz Spastiks VS Cut Beetlez

Right now, in this very moment, when you think of jazz and Hip Hop fusion sounds, two names come immediately to mind, the Jazz Spastiks (Edinburgh,UK) and the Cut Beetlez (Finland).

Both are beat makers, DJs and producers who bring their own twist to mixing up classic boom bap Hip Hop with Jazzy vibes. Both are also duos with the Jazz Spastiks consisting of Coconut Delight and Mr Manyana, while the Cut Beetlez are DJ J-Man and HP Lovescratch. There is no doubt that they both have their own distinctive sound which they use to great effect on instrumental cuts as well as those featuring a whole host of guest artists from the golden era of Hip Hop right up to some up and coming artists hungry to show their pedigree.

Jazz Spastiks VS Cut Beetlez is the third release from Worthing UK based Hip Hop label Deuce Deuce, who are one of the premier up and coming labels in the UK. Only available on Vinyl and digital this release is obviously one that is made for vinyl as it consists of two sides, with the A Side coming from the Jazz Spastiks and the B Side from the Cut Beetlez, each duo dropping seven tracks showcasing their own brand of experimental, instrumental, jazzy Hip Hop niceness.

So, let me get into this and break it down for you…

The Jazz Spastiks kick of Side A with The Doctor,  a proper feel-good mix with the jazzy sounds of horns, keys mixed in with a nice funky drumbeat, cuts and some samples that describe a trip to go see the doctor. There are not many of us who like a trip to the doctor but, if every trip to your doc was this good, who’d want to leave? After, regrettably leaving the doctors office we move on to Anka Banka where the listener is treated to a head nod beat that overlays this jazzy sound scape of cymbals, keys, bells, and bass which allows your mind to wander as you listen. I checked a few means of the title and ones which stuck with me were Merciful (Anka) Brave (Banka), this idea of being compassionate, whilst still being strong stuck with me as I listened as it fit with the two parts of the music. From that laid-back thoughtful moment, it’s time to switch it up a notch with Usin’ and Confusin’, an almost cut n paste style sound with some classic samples, a solid boom bap beat and razor-sharp cuts, all of which is backed up by some chilled organ vibes. This one really speaks on the basics of what the Jazz Spastiks do, in taking the beats and sounds then working their magic to produce something brand new. From getting that basic idea of what the Jazz Spastiks do, we are then treated to a basic explanation of what jazz music is, the Master Fundamentals if you will, all courtesy of a sampled vocal. The track is relaxed mix of cymbals, drums and electric organ notes which is enough to carry you along while focusing on the words.

Static, drums, electronic sounds, and organ notes merge to bring a chilled-out vibe of The Boss. This track brings the atmosphere of listening to old vinyl records to the digital age, even if you’re listening to this on digital. It still keeps you moving your head too, so no matter the mood this has the flow. The now switches once more as cymbals, keys, electronic sounds, and a heavy drumbeat create a more spaced-out vibe. This is perfect for the Spirit Molecule as you feel you are transcending the current dimension and moving to a place where the normal laws of physics don’t apply. Moving to the final piece on this side we are treated to a slick vibe of drums, horns bass and organ notes. There is a sampled conversation taking place and the sounds of the city, making you feel like you are sitting in a booth in a jazz café where people are musing over The Good Life and the complexities that come with it, albeit on a deep existential level…

Flipping to Side B, it now the turn of the Cut Beetlez who open up with their Intro, which is an up-tempo piece of drums, horns, organ notes which switches mid-way through, and we lose the jazz and hear a slightly down-tempo voice who directs his request to the Cut Beetlez for some more boom bap for the Hip Hop headz, you know that sound they are known for…

Horns and drums bring us into Ready For Battle but, those horns and drums are closely followed by sampled vocals and frantic cuts and more classic samples with a sound that is almost like using the cross fader between turntables, giving you the feeling these guys are ready for anything. More percussion, and organ notes seem to switch the tempo up a notch or two giving a sound that tweaks your nerves. Some slick cuts give your nerves a break on a couple of occasions making you wonder just what’s coming next as you say Gimme A Break. That break is about to come with some laid-back double bass and classic Hip Hop samples But, soon some organ notes come in bouncing of our nerves once more as the Cut Beetlez seem to invite us into Channeling this experimental vibe into our minds and opening up a new understanding of music. Laid-back horns lead us into You Need To Quit, before sparse drums and cut up samples allow us to relax for a minute and just simply enjoy the sounds of horns and keys alongside those chilled drums.

Straight Up Dope Boom Bap does exactly what is says as some slick turntableism, classic samples and dope cuts serve as the backdrop while a heavy boom bap beat and some jazzy horns slip in to carry us along as we can’t help but, nod our heads to this as it embodies what we all love about Hip Hop. The final track on this side is Last Jazztics, the drums pound, the horns blow and the keys sound out, all this as cuts slice through your awareness and you detect more than little turntable trickery along the way as this one just eases us out of the album in style, Cut Beetlez style that is…

 

After all that what can you truly say in order to sum this one up…

I don’t, for one minute, say that I know much about the many types of jazz sound there are, as I am sure there are many and the roots of these go back to the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries when jazz grew out of the influences of ragtime, blues, gospel, and military big band music. There has been a huge jazz influence within Hip Hop over the years with the likes  Gang Starr, Digable Planets, A Tribe Called Quest and the Roots, to name just a few. The Jazz Spastiks and Cut Beetlez have brought a new spotlight back to the jazz influence within Hip Hop.

I found that on Jazz Spastiks VS Cut Beetlez there were two kinda vibes going on. The Jazz Spastiks showed a great balance with a more classic Hip Hop musical approach to there offerings, creating flowing tracks that often allowed you to read more into the music that was first apparent. The Cut Beetlez however, showed a more experimental approach creating a sound that showed what can be achieved when you think a little bit outside the box when fusing two genres of music and without that experimental aspect, things would never move forward.

For me this was far less of a versus battle situation and more of a stage for each to simply showcase their sounds and what they are capable of producing, when given the space to do so. The only winner here is the listener who gets treated to some of the most exciting Hip Hop/Jazz fusion music out there and from two of the most exciting Hip Hop beat maker/production/DJ duos out there right now.

I have rated both the Jazz Spastiks and Cut Beetlez for some time now. The Cut Beetles have featured in my reviews on several occasions but, not so with the Jazz Spastiks. So, it is a pleasure to be able to review such an outstanding release by both and huge respect to Deuce Deuce for putting this one out.

I just want to finish by saying a huge thank you to DJ J-Man from the Cut Beetles for sending this one my way.

This is definitely one to have in your collection, especially if there are some vinyl copies still out there.

Links to get the album are below and don't forget to follow Jazz Spastiks, Cut Beetlez and Deuce Deuce Records on all the usual social media.

On that note, it’s time for me to Be Bop outta here,

See ya,

Steve

LINKS

Get your copy from Deuce Deuce Records on Bandcamp:

https://deucedeucerecords.bandcamp.com/merch

Jazz Spastiks on Bandcamp:

https://jazzspastiks.bandcamp.com/

Cut Beetlez on Bandcamp:

https://cutbeetlez.bandcamp.com/

Special Double Single Review: SoulCondor Slices SS003 & SS004

SoulCondor Slices 003 & 004

Special Double Single review

 

Not too long ago I reviewed the first two releases on Soulcondor Slices. Save The Wax and Superfunk (remixes) were two incredible slices of Hip Hop that not only crossed borders but, showed what can happen when the Hip Hop community pulls together to support one of their own.

That incredible show of support continues to grow. The struggles of label creator Del Soulcondor has brought together Hip-Hop artists and fans the world over who have united in showing love and support as he battles cancer. It is his resilience, resistance and overall strength in the face of extreme adversity that has touched so many and his on-going desire to bring his vision to the Hip Hop community  has resulted in him teaming with the awesome Diggers With Gratitude Crew to release these via their Fresh Pressings page.

Let’s get into these two Singles and first up is SS003…

Fuck Cancer-The Condor Consortium / Heavy XL-Cut Beetlez & Dopamine 189

Any piece of music that has a deeply personal story behind it can be emotional and inspire a deep emotional response in those who listen, particularly if they can relate to it personally and nothing hits home like this more than cancer. It seems to affect so many people either directly or indirectly that we all have a story, I will not relate my personal stories here but, it is the stories that are part of who we are and Del’s own fight that is the catalyst to simply say Fuck Cancer.

Fuck Cancer is a shot across the bow for this disease and a message that no matter what we will continue to stand against it. The production comes from DJ Nappa who brings an upbeat mix of bass, Drums, horns, guitar, and more classic samples than you can shake a stick at creating a huge sound that rouses your emotional energy. The vocal side of the Condor Consortium consists of Chrome, Phill Most Chill and legendary UK emcee Blade. The emotional side of things hits from the get-go as Chrome relates his own personal experiences of losing a sister and almost losing a brother to cancer and you can really feel the pain, emotion, and the strength in every word. Phill Most Chill takes shots are the big corporations, the ones who make huge amounts of money from drugs and whose best interests are their shareholders not necessarily in finding a cure. He also talks of the benefits of staying strong and positive in the face of cancer and not letting it win. Blade speaks on the war against cancer and how it so often sneaks up on those we love but, that we always all stand together as a collective force of positivity, letting cancer know we will never give up, we will stand strong together and we will be the ones who will win out. If that were not enough of a statement, the track is rounded of with a barrage of slick cuts from the final member of the Condor Consortium, B-Line head honcho and the man behind Bristol's Rope-A-Dope, Specifik, who simply says Fuck Cancer as only he knows how.

 

Heavy XL-Cut Beetlez & Dopamine 189

Heavy XL drops in typical Cut Beetlez style with brutal guitar heavy sound mixed with drums, cymbals, and cuts (provided by DJ J-Man and HP Lovescratch of course). The guitars are courtesy of Janne Aronen and brings a sound that assaults you ears and shreds your nervous system. Rock musicians have been renowned for smashing guitars but here it sounds like they have ripped apart some electric guitars and then put them all back together creating something recognisable but, raw and new. Dopamine 189 gives us bars that are, at times, as brutal as the sound as he speaks on the music and how he conducts what he does. This track takes the idea of merging hard rock and Hip-Hop to a whole new level and then gives it that experimental Cut Beetlez treatment. Something that always takes a standard concept in music then tips it out of the box shattering it into pieces and reconstructing it as they see fit, bringing you something you’ve never heard before.

 

Next up is SS004…

Living For The Day-Respek BA, Zeeny & Mr Thing / Raise Em High-Soundsci

Living For The Day see’s Zeeny provide production, Mixing and Mastering. His production of Horns, Guitars, Drums and Piano brings a vibe that instantly puts you into a thoughtful and reflective state of mind. Mr Thing’s slick cuts also add to that whole air of reflection and solidifying the whole Hip-Hop sound. Respek BA brings everything to life as he reflects on what’s been, what made him smile and what made him who he is. But it’s not all about reflecting on the past, its also about bringing that energy into the present moment and making every day something special, a memory to be treasured. This is another track that you simply can’t help but to get lost in. The whole concept of Living For The Day is something everyone of us can associate with as we get older. At times we think back to better times, and we can feed off that energy, recreate it in the now using that memory to recreate those feelings…

 

Raise Em High – Soundsci

The mighty Soundsci return with Ollie Teeba’s production bringing a straight up Hip-Hop club banger. The Heavy drums and guitar notes bring an upbeat vibe which will instantly have you out of your seat. The energy here is beyond infectious as Soundsci rock the mics once more. Their intention here is all about that feel good vibe and getting the crowd to Raise Em High. There is no one better to do that as they have us moving to every beat and every bar with the kinda wordplay that perfectly matches the sound. I dunno what more there is I can say about this one really, it is one of those tracks where fewer words are needed as the music does the talking.

 

There is little more left for me to say about these four tracks. Individually they each have their own tone, their own message that ranges across almost every emotion, providing you choose to open yourself to that. However, together they are two individual releases that carry a collective message around the globe, that message says that the Hip-Hop community is not just that, it is a family that spans borders and cultures and one. We recognise when one stands up and creates a vison that brings enjoyment to so many, just as Del Soulcondor has done with Soulcondor Slices. We also recognise when one of us needs support and is going through a tough part of our journey and we stand by that person, just as so many of us doing now in supporting Del Soulconder at this truly harsh time.

There is no doubt in my mind that what Soulcondor Slices is doing is not just releasing some one off, incredibly passionate Hip-Hop music but, it is creating a whole incredible legacy that will still be standing tall long into the future. This music will outlive every one of us carrying its message to many more generations who will undoubtedly feed off the energy and the messages within…

Further Shouts go to Mr Krum (Layout and Design) and Rola (Mixing and Mastering on Fuck Cancer) on Fuck Cancer/Heavy XL. Mak One for Artwork on Living For The Day/Raise Em High and the Legendary figure of No Sleep Nigel for mixing on Raise Em High. 

It looks certain that we will see SS005 & SS006 dropping. So, regardless of whether you purchase a hardcopy or just a digital copy of these two, when you listen to these tracks, feel them, I mean truly feel them because that’s what they are there for.

On that note I send love and healing vibes to Del Soulcondor,

One love to you all,

Steve

LINKS

Physical copies can be ordered from DWG Fresh Pressings very soon:

http://freshpressings.bigcartel.com/

Stream all SoulCondor Slices releases via Soundcloud now:

https://soundcloud.com/soulcondorslices

Follow Del Soulcondor on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/del_soulcondor/

Album Review: Gold Pyramids On Black Sand by Cut Beetlez & Dopamine 189

 

Gold Pyramids On Black Sand

By

Cut Beetlez & Dopamine 189

 

Last year was a hot year for the duo from Finland, Cut Beetlez, who dropped a number of releases of which I reviewed a fair few including the CBNG LP with the Nice Guys, The Overflow single series Parts One Two & Three and of course the stunning What Beetlez LP. Finally, they are back for 2021, firstly with the single AMIRRORCA along side PhillGoodX7 and now with this new album.

If you have read my reviews and caught any of these fine releases, then you will know that HP Lovescratch & DJ J-Man are always upping their game and experimenting with new ways and sounds to take Hip Hop and Turntablism to new levels and dimensions.

Following their collaborations with the likes of Nice Guys and A-F-R-O etc, this time they hook up with Berkley California Emcee Dopamine 189, a beat maker, producer, and emcee, he also part of the KTD Crew, FSC Crew and Berkley CA All Stars  to bring you another banger.

Alongside Dopamine 189 there are also a host of other talented artists including emcees One Feather, Nac One and Matrix P, also featured is singer Etni Kahn and saxophonist Tuomas Sipponen, all bringing their own special vibes to bear on the project.

The release is all polished off by some striking artwork from Noom and design by the gifted Mr Krum. So, this is one of those releases you can’t pin any expectations on as it’s the Cut Beetlez. All we know is it will be a treat for the ears.

So, let’s get into it…

The album hits from the get-go with a short jazz infused Intro in which Dopamine 189 drops a little bit about himself and what his impressions of the Cut Beetlez were. The vibe of the track with its dash of cuts thrown in, really sets the tone of the album and the vision reflected by the cover artwork. From there we are treated to a mind-bending mix of Organ notes, cuts, claps, bells, and Bass which creates this almost Hip-Hop vision quest vibe for Sun Surfer. Dopamine 189 and One feather bring a lot of thought-provoking visions to bear on this track and detail the value of healing the mind. Alongside this the values and teachings of indigenous cultures shines through as the importance of living in harmony with the land is impressed on us. From loving yourself and loving the land the Beetlez and Dopamine 189 bring a different love to the forefront on Blue Lotus. Here the focus is a celebration of that special woman in your life and the background is a deep jazz vibe of guitar, piano, and the Sax of Tuomas Sipponen with a sprinkling of cuts which creates the perfect mood.

From the deep experience of love, we move into another deep experience as a multi-layered sound scape of Electronic notes, cymbals, guitar, and cuts has us transported to another musical dimension which is the perfect backdrop for Dopamine 189 to take us on a ride around the pyramids and ancient cultures then back to his music and the vibe of live shows. You can almost picture 189 stood atop the great pyramid of Giza flanked by the Cut Beetlez on top of the other two pyramids and all under a Grenadine Sky. The Beetlez create another musical sound scape to test the mind as they bring in Bass, Horns, Drums, and synths to create a laid-back soulful funk vibe that switches pace between verses to a jazz fusion instrumental. Meanwhile 189 is joined by Matrix P to speak on those who have walked before us and passed on, thus creating this thoughtful space that has you casting your mind to the universal lake of memory and all the while, above fly Neon Kites.

A short Skit takes us into the second half of the album on jazz tip with Dopamine 189 briefly explaining why he is rocking with the Beetlez. Organ vibes, Cuts, Bass, Horns, and drums initially hit you with something akin to a Hip-Hop big band feel before dropping you to the relative sparce ambiance of back street jazz club. While all this is going on Dopamine 189 and One Feather breakdown what it is to get deep into your music creativity, Life and Conscious Evolution and pay attention as you might need Clairvoyance to understand this one. There is no time for your mind to settle before a mix of organ notes, Horns, electronic vibes, and cuts spears your consciousness. 189 and Nac One jump in to spin a web of deadly but, precious vocals that has you questioning, who is the more deadly here? The 14K Tarantulas or the Emcees?

Bringing us down a bit is the more soulful organ and drum vibes that are interwoven with some vocal notes and cuts. Dopamine 189 speaks on that special kind of relationship between two people who have a deep bond and together engage in Stereo Romance. The final track of the album is a deep soulful blend of drums, organ notes, cuts, and the vocals of Etni Kahn. As the vibes have you floating in space Dopamine 189 gets deep into merging life and loves with the physical embodiment of earthly minerals, something that gives reality to our emotions and feelings.

 

Gold Pyramids On Black Sand is a challenging, for some reason I don’t want to say experimental, Hip-Hop success. There are huge multi-layered soundscapes here that merge perfectly with the emcee’s vocal talents. The whole project ebbs and flows precisely from start to finish, perfectly blending pace and musical styles to create something that, at times, is like some kind of Hip-Hop meditative experience. But not only does it flow and blend so well but, it challenges your mind and sense of reality to the point that you are not aware that you have only spent a little under 23 minutes in the company of the Cut Beetles and Dopamine 189. It is like you have just experienced the Hip-Hop musical equivalent of a Dali painting…

It is truly something to pack so much musical innovation and knowledge into such a timeframe it feels like it is a much longer listening experience. The fusion of street knowledge and some more esoteric with the indigenous culture connection and that sense of self perfectly bends stretches and moulds your sense of reality as you listen and immerse yourself into the experience.

The Cut Beetles are successful in again stretching their creative limits and bringing you a sound that is both undoubtedly theirs but, at the same time fresh and unique and teaming with Dopamine 189 it keeps it Hip-Hop but with an open mind. 189 brings that street element of Hip-Hop but tinged with a deeper understanding of subjects that extend beyond the box which is perfect for the vibe the Cut Beetles bring with their constant tweaking of the boundaries of Hip-Hop Music.

This is Hip-Hop for a new reality. Where listening with an open mind has you with one foot in boom bap street and the other in a portal to a reality where Hip-Hop stretches the boundaries of all you know and love…

You to can experience Gold Pyramids On Black Sand from today…

Huge thanks to the Cut Beetlez for sending this over to me.

On that note,

I’m not sure if I’m outta here or not…

Steve

LINKS

All the links for Gold Pyramids on Black Sand can be found Here:

https://linktr.ee/cutbeetlez

Album Review - What Beetlez? by Cut Beetlez

 

What Beetlez?

By

Cut Beetlez

Album Review

 

It was back in 2014 that Finnish DJ/Production Duo Cut Beetlez dropped their debut privately pressed 7” EP High Jump. A few years later and thanks to the legendary figure of Oxygen, the duo would land a deal with Bristol based AE Productions and they drop the instant classic 12” single Droppin’ Needles in August of 2017.

Since that time the guys have worked behind the scenes to craft this album, while releasing other projects alongside artists such as The Good People (Cut People EP 2019), A.F.R.O (Overflow singles 2020) and Nice Guys (CBNG LP 2020).

 As the Cut Beetlez are a DJ/Production duo it was clear these guys would need some vocal talent to grace the album and looking back over their previous releases it was clear that those guest would be in the form of some heavy hitters in the game. So, it will come as no surprise that What Beetlez? Features the kind of guest appearances that will have most of you dribbling into your corn flakes, check this line up: The Good People, El Da Sensei (Artifacts), Guilty Simpson, Rah Digga, J-Live, Oxygen, Reks and Soundsci. Also featured and UK emcees Truck and Retna. If you are not hooked by now, do you really know your hip hop?

So, let’s not delay this any longer as the album is 15 tracks deep and after several years in production, can you really wait…

 

There is no messing about as the kicks off, following a short scratch-intro, with Sucka Duck featuring The Good People. Banging head nod straight out the gate with those dope beatz, dope rhymes and dope cutz, and there is no denying this is how you do it, get the people moving from the get go and turntable wizardry here is a treat to the ears. There is no letting up here as the pounding beat funky horn drops you into Rolling with Guilty featuring Guilty Simpson who schools you to exactly what it is to be and roll with the man himself, mix in this some classic Beetlez cutz and you are well and truly now in the Beetlez-verse. Time to make it funky, yep more funk than a dead skunk, with React as Rah Digga steps up the mic and delivers line after line of realness that leaves those in the crosshairs with their feelings hurt. Time for a little bit of Cut Beetlez turntable magic on the human beatbox tip with Fat Beetlez and it’s all about cuttin’ up some of that Fat Boys beatbox dopeness.

Time to rock out with El Da Sensei on El Number 1 and no time like the present to jazz things up a little whilst keeping it head nod hip hop. El Da Sensei expertly displays why he is number 1 in this rap game. Good To You see’s The Good People return for their second appearance on an upbeat track that retains a jazzy vibe. This one has the potential to get you tapping your feet in time to that feel good vibe from the Cut Beetlez and The Good People’s lyrical painting of everything that makes you feel positive, just what you need in these crazy times. If you thought rock n roll and hip hop don’t go, think again as the Beetlez drop a funky rock style vibe for Now Rockin’ which has J-Live lying down some slick vocal lines that do one thing, keep ya rockin’ till the Cut Beetlez drop their scratch section at which point you’ll be diggin’ out the invisible Sp1200’s…

This is the point, if you have a vinyl or cassette version, you’ll be fillin’ it to side two. If you have the digital version, you can ignore what I just said and let it roll on into MF Beetlez for some more turntable fun n games that tellz you exactly what Cut Beetlez are all about. Next we have the return of The Good People on Never Negative, with the Cut Beetlez bringing a pounding beat and some jazzy vibe running throughout, The Good People bring a deep message about not being drawn into the negativity you see all around you. It’s all about flippin’ the perspective and looking on the bad times with more optimism and not to let it bring ya down. Keeping that positive vibe flowing is The Piano Song a jazzy, funked up vibe of a track to keep ya head on tha nod and with a little appearance from your host Oxygen, this is one for the jazz club, nice. Jump Outta Speakers see’s the second appearance from El Da Sensei on a jazz heavy track that is everything you want. El Da Sensei drops the kinda lyrical bombs that put you in mind of street parties and Graffiti covered subway trains while the Cut Beetlez keep energy so high it literally does jump outta the speakers.

Bars was originally released as a digital only single back on 1^st January and features Reks on the mic. A piano heavy banging track full of frantic cutz, this might be a short but, the impact is no less heavy as Reks drops the bars hard and heavy, after all it is all about the bars. Time to take it funky on that upbeat tip as we have the final appearance of The Good People on Good Matafakas, a proper jazz funk vibe on the track that is all about those good matafakas all over the world, and yep thats you included. This album would not be complete if Droppin’ Needles wasn’t included and here is the original cut of the track. A thumping beat with various guitars looped all through creating a unique sound that shows exactly what the Cut Beetles are all about, featuring super group Soundsci crafting a verbal vison of the one thing hip hop has at its heart, the Vinyl Record. The final track on the album is the title track What Beetlez and features Truck and Retna on this horn heavy banger with some slick cuts and turntable trickery. Truck and Retna bring two slick verses with two different mind-bending themes which leaves you with one thought as the track ends, damn What Beetlez? Man, it’s the Cut Beetlez…

You can see why this album took time to create. Everything about it screams Hip Hop in its purest form. At it’s birth Hip Hop was a DJ and Emcee and here the Cut Beetlez are the DJ element and they have brought in a legendary line up of some of emcees at the top of their game. What this does is to bring alive that core, that root of what is Hip Hop. For those of us that grew up with the Hip Hop sound, this is everything we love about it in one place and for those younger generations who were not there, this is about as good a foundation sounding album as you can get in the current climate.

Years ago we marvelled at Hip Hop records that had big beats that got you moving, featuring the freshest emcees who had the skills to spit def lines or create the most amazing visions from their story telling and it was all polished off by the DJ’s skills on the One’s and Two’s mixing or cutting up bringing new life from old records. But, in the digital age where sampling is easy and kids can make a track and even have a set of digital turntables on their phone, the Cut Beetlez have captured the true essence of what we call Hip Hop music and crafted it for a new generation while staying true to its roots. Their production and DJ skills are second to none and, what is also a huge credit here, is the choice of emcees. Bringing instantly recognisable names from both sides of the pond shows a mutual respect between the artists and a desire to put together good music that spans the ages and borders from cites to cites, coast to coast and country to country.

Something else this album says to me is this, Hip Hop is alive and well and lives in the hearts and souls of DJs, emcees, producers, engineers, artists, and listeners all across the world. It truly is one culture to unite a one like-minded people who do not see borders that separate us but, one thing that unites us all…

As always with a release like this, it is a complete package and I just want to shout all those behind the scenes as well as giving you the complete lowdown on who did What?:

Production is by the Cut Beetlez with beatsby HP Lovescratch and cuts by DJ J-Man & HP Lovescratch. The Album mixing and mastering is by the legendary Rola. The cover photo is courtesy of Cut Beetlez with the back cover photo by Jyri Keronen. The Cut Beetlez Haircuts by Voxyhair Joensuu
Art Direction and Design is by Mr Krum (dedicated to Joey Deez).

What Beetlez? Is available now through AE Productions on digital, Yellow Vinyl and Limited-Edition Cassette. 

Huge thanks to the Cut Beetlez and Mr Fantastic @ AE Productions.

On that note, I’ll leave you to the Beetlez, What Beetlez? The Cut Beetlez of course...

Peace Out,

Steve

LINKS (all links open in a new window)

Buy What Beetlez? from Bandcamp here: https://aeproductions.bandcamp.com/album/what-beetlez

Buy from the AE Webstore here: https://www.ae-productions.co.uk/shop

Cut Beetlez on Bandcamp here: https://cutbeetlez.bandcamp.com/

Cut Beetlez on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/75uudNEPFGwcf2Q2Xe9ffH

Cut Beetlez Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutbeetlez/

Cut Beetlez on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/the-cut-beetlez