Single Review: All The Way Live by Seek The Northerner

 

All The Way Live

By

Seek The Northerner

 

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 5^th 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:

https://northenticrecords.bandcamp.com/artists

Northentic Records Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/northenticrecords_hiphop/

https://www.facebook.com/NorthenticRecords

https://www.youtube.com/@NORTHENTICRECORDS

Seek The Northerner Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/seek_the_northerner101/

https://www.facebook.com/SeekTheNortherner

Single Review: Find The Balance by Seek and Lomax

 

Find The Balance

By

Seek & Lomax

 

These two guys last featured here as part of the crew T.H.E.M, when I review their album Outside The Box (read that review HERE), back in March on Northentic Records. Now, since that time there has been plenty of changes at Northentic but, one thing is for sure, the steady stream of dope Hip Hop is something that has not.

Seek The Northerner has been the huge driving force behind those releases, and the latest release, Find The Balance, sees him joining forces with Lomax once more and they are joined by DJ Robert Smith.

So, let’s cut the chat and get into this single…

Find The Balance has this mariachi guitar sound with some operatic vocal samples over which is thumping beat that injects energy in veins that might be feeling a little lacking right now. Seek and Lomax bounce of each other providing verse after verse which is all about finding the balance in life. The title of the track pretty much gives you everything you need to know about this one. Balance is something that is hard to find in the current economic and social climate. There are so many aspects of life where balance is key to getting the best from our journey through it. Finding balance with work and home life is a massive thing but, beyond that we are left trying to balance our income and expenditure while external influences create more and more pressure that, so often threatens to unbalance our mental health.

So, Seek and Lomax deliver this upbeat sound that, whilst having a deep message, brings and uplifting sound that helps to balance that deeper meaning and where we might have been feeling the pinch in life and not being at our best, the guys help bring a little sense of balance by giving us this light to shine into the tunnel, bringing a candle light to give us some direction.

So, there you have it, Seek and Lomax bring us not just a banging Hip Hop vibe but, a guiding light that brings a feeling of hope in a world where hope seems lacking sometimes.

Find The Balance is out now on Northentic Records.

I’ll see ya next time,

Peace.

Steve.

LINKS

Get Find The Balance from Bandcamp Here:

https://seek-the-northerner.bandcamp.com/track/seek-lomax-find-the-balance-feat-dj-robert-smith

Northentic Records YouTube Channel Here:

https://www.youtube.com/@NORTHENTICRECORDS/featured

Album Review: Outside The Box by T.H.E.M.

 

Outside The Box

By

T.H.E.M

 

Outside the Box is the long awaited and highly anticipated debut album from Burnley crew T.H.E.M. As I noted back in December 2022 when I reviewed the digital EP release ‘From Beyond’, this album was originally going to be a double album but, constraints led the guys to scale things back to a single album with From Beyond being made up of those tracks not to make the album.

Fast forward to now and the album release is immanent and let’s not keep you hanging so, I’m not gonna waffle here and take you straight into what T.H.E.M aka Seek The Northerner, Karlow, Lomax and Bruva Smokes, have to offer us with Outside the box…

 

The album kicks off in style with the upbeat, Seek the Northerner produced, Monsters. Drums, bass, keys, horns and some deft cuts from DJ Woody, all combine to give the kinda head nod, body moving Hip Hop sound you can’t help but, move to. This one see’s the guys showing exactly what they are all about with the kinda lyrical displays that simply takes your breath away and sets up the tone of the album perfectly. Next up is Running which is produced by Lomax and features Wordsmiff Flip. With drums pounding, bass and strings melt into the vibe to keep your head nodding. Here the struggles and strains of life combine as the guys look at how things can cause you to lose touch with reality and who you are, your true self. But you can’t escape that side of you, try as you might, you can run as far as your legs will take you but, you will never outrun yourself, you are always there, in some way, shape and form, ready for the day you are ready to be your true self once more.

The pounding of drums, piano and cymbals draw you into Below Zero, produced by Bruva Smokes. Fear is the idea that immediately trust into your awareness and there is a brief thought in your mind that questions what’s coming. At first you feel you’re being drawn into some dark and depraved nightmare situation where the guys describe how their actions install fear into those who inhabit the darkness but, the more you listen, the more you realise it is all just a play on words because their words are the weapons and the only ones who need to fear anything are those who step up and think they are better that T.H.E.M. You can leave the darkness behind as drums and horns, courtesy of production from Seek, pour light on things with a huge upbeat vibe that switches up the adrenaline levels all the way on The Sting. The guys are joined by UK Hip Hop legend, Blade for a track that hits like you’re running butt naked through a field of stinging nettles. Every line, simile, metaphor hits multiple times on different levels, while the stories from back in the day; talk of inspirations and the more personal notes leave you wondering which way to turn, while the stings never relent. There is almost too much try and pick apart here so just listen and enjoy this display of the art of rap. Million Degrees is next, produced by Lomax, this one is a heavy drum pounding, button pushing sound with a dash of razor-edged cuts, all of which has a nerve tweaking edge at times, especially with the high-pitched violin sound. It all seems to seep into the very core of your being, making you vibrate from the inside out. The guys raise the temperature on this one for the streets. Dropping lines that are so hot they blow every thermometer you can try and use to measure the heat this one is pumping out. This one is so hot it might just melt you’re mind from the inside out…

Drums and a mariachi guitar, with good dash of cuts, are the musical foundation for Lost Cause, giving you this upbeat sound from Seek that is so infectious, I dare you not to nod your head to this. T.H.E.M are joined by the legendary figure of Chester P to examine just what is the definition of a lost cause. Lots of food for thought here as the energy and the words flood your mind to the brim, making you wonder what a lost cause might be as you look around. There is even a faint thought that filters in making you wonder if there is anything you do that might be considered a lost cause. Loop Da Loop is up next, produced by Karlow, has a pounding beat over some chilled guitars, with some etheric vocals sounds and cuts all mixed in giving this a head nod vibe with a thoughtful edge. This one brought many things to mind as I listened from a basis of what goes around comes around, to the battle many of us have within our own minds and even battling the system but, none of these seemed to stick and then I wondered “Is that what the guys were aiming at here”, getting you to loop da loop in your own mind by going round and round never quite certain of the real focus? The album’s title track is up next, Outside The Box is produced by Seek and features AMOS. With horns, bass and drums, this one has cracking funk vibe to it. Here, it’s all about spinning intricate lyrical lines around and about things that are not just outside the box but, there are some you might be so far outside the box as to be too much to touch. This one has your mind spinning and doing back flips as you nod and move along to the sound, and by the end of this you’ll be thinking “Who needs a box anyway” this is Hip Hop.

Moving to the penultimate track, Milltown Flex, it’s produced by Lomax and has this big sound of strings, drums and bass, which gives this one a Hip Hop soundtrack vibe. It’s time for the guys to get everyone up on their feet as they each demonstrate the pure quality of their lyricism, proving that they are not just at the top of their game but, that there is always another level to strive to reach. Once you gotta rep, it’s all about keeping it and continually honing those skills and keeping yourselves sharp and authentic. The track also ends with some slick cuts from DJ Musicarl, who also provides cuts for all except the opening track of the album. The final track of the album is What We Do! Production comes from Sidefx and it features Ken Masters alongside T.H.E.M. There is this orchestral backing to the drum beat that gives this an extra dimension as the piano element seems to echo all around you. There will be no encore here as this is a supreme display of how to end an album as everyone gives a solid lyrical display of their rap skills, which all says one thing loud and clear, this is Hip Hop and this is What We Do!

 

I’m not sure exactly where to start here but, it’s not often that an album comes along that is not only a breath of fresh air but, also completely takes your breath away, Outside The Box does exactly that and more. There is an element here that makes you think that even if you have heard the EP, listened to the live segment and sofa chat on 05:21, that nothing can really prepare you for this album. I mean, what T.H.E.M. have done here is to embody the essence of real Hip Hop but, with their own stamp well and truly on it.

Outside The Box has everything I love about that real Hip Hop vibe. From start to finish it grabs your attention and holds non-stop, with ten tracks that are all three minutes plus, which really gives you time to get into the tracks and to properly feel them. I’m not saying that sub-three minute tracks don’t deliver but, they do always leave me wanting more and that is one thing you are not gonna get with this album, except maybe once it ends that is…

It really is difficult to fully explain what is so good about this album but, I’ll try and at least give you an insight. Musically the production is exactly what you would want from a Hip Hop album. Every track has the kinda vibe that makes your body wanna move. There is energy here that doesn’t let up across the entire album. Seek The Northerner, Karlow, Lomax and Bruva Smokes all show they have the skills to produce cracking instrumentals as well as the kind of lyrical skills that so many wish they had. These guys might all have their own unique styles and sound but, they also completely complement each other as well, which in a crew like this, is invaluable.

It is also worth noting their careful choice of guests for the album all of whom, fit exactly into place on the album adding extra depth and another layer of polish to an already finely polished album. It’s not just the legendary guests that might peak your interest here. There is also a legendary figure behind the scenes too as No Sleep Nigel, who has been the engineer behind many classic UK Hip Hop tracks over the years,  handles the mixing and mastering of the album, what more could you want right…

What you do realise, by the end of the album, is that collectively and individually, these four guys have the talent and the passion to deliver some of the most intelligent and exciting underground Hip Hop music around today. For me, T.H.E.M. have well and truly nailed what it is to be unique and authentic but, still have the foundation of what they do rooted in what true Hip Hop is, with banging beats and vocals that can easily tackle emotive personal stories, right through to those just for the street or those to rock any party.

Outside The Box lifts that underground Hip Hop sound out of the box and plants it where it needs to be, in a place where anything and everything is possible, and nothing is impossible. This is one you just should not miss and yeah, it really is that good so, nuff said…

My humble thanks to Seek The Northerner for sending this my way and to the whole crew for having the faith in my writing.

The album is released tomorrow,1^st April, through Northentic Records and be sure to check the official album launch party on Sunday 21^st May at the Camden Club, London. It’s gonna be some night, hosted by the one and only Blade and with T.H.E.M. and whole host of guests from 4:30pm to midnight, check the link below for tickets.

Time for me to be outta here,

See ya,

Steve

LINKS

T.H.E.M. on Bandcamp Here:

https://themcrew.bandcamp.com/music

Northentic Records on Bandcamp Here:

https://northenticrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Album Launch Party ticket link Here:

https://shoobs.com/events/79534/northenic-records-feat-them-outside-the-box-album-launch-party?fbclid=IwAR2-xDH9VN8Unwd5HBbkVuLKJCShFn2n4xe1d8hI7gMtymPIbgUU3PshI-8

 Northentic Records YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@NORTHENTICRECORDS/featured

 

Album Review: Locked Down Memoirs by Ken Masters

 

Locked Down Memoirs

By

Ken Masters

 

Locked Down Memoirs is the latest album from Ken Masters. The album was originally released at the end of October 2022 with production from CraftmatiK and artwork from D-Rock.

As this is the first time, I have featured Ken’s solo work on my blog, I felt it appropriate that I feature some of his background as a way to introduce him to those who might not be familiar with him or his work:

Ken Masters is a Rapper / beat producer/ event host / battler/ crate digger and activist. Ken has proudly represented Newcastle and Whitley Bay for many years. A complex character whose deep love of the scene drives his every day and provides sanity and peace in a world that he only wishes the same for. Take a listen to his work and you soon discover that the complexities of life provide much to be discussed in the form of lyrics that are clearly carefully crafted with lyricism that can only be achieved after years and years of effort and practice. At a young age it was Hip Hop that grabbed him and provided a platform for his views and artistic outputs. From his early days throwing shapes as a B-Boy right through to the present as a rapper/producer and host of one of the best B-Boy Jams out there, it’s all in a day’s work. It’s simply what he does. However, for a while Ken has felt a little different to the world that surrounds him and decided to investigate. A diagnosis of Autism provided a further understanding of himself, and in typical fashion Ken took it onboard and looked for the positives, putting them to good use creatively. When you are an activist that craves equality and justice to the level Ken does, you have to have an art form at hand that is diverse and adaptable, in order to correctly get your points across. Not that it’s all politics and worldly issues! Ken’s just as skilled at playfully freestyling, battling and making light-hearted music. Basically, Hip Hop provides a world of opportunities for him. Add to all this Ken’s countless Hip Hop workshops for young people over the years and the impact of his creativity and beliefs is very easy to find.

He has written this album as a chronological narrative of his experiences during days of the pandemic and the lockdowns we were all put through. With that in mind, this really feels like an album that we will all be able to associate with in some way and, with that said, I think the best thing for me to do is get into it, so join me…

Right out the gate you get a real sense for what this is all about. Stay Home begins with BoJo the Clown telling us all the stay at home and to protect each other and the NHS before drums and guitars drop in, alongside some classic samples that give this bomb bap sound at pace. This track see’s Ken exploring a plethora of experiences and information around the lockdowns and the pandemic. From conspiracy theories to mental health, this one is an overview of things, packed with facts, thoughts, and all in between. It ends with Ken giving us the lowdown on the album and telling us how some naivety might have crept into the first couple tracks but, how his knowledge and understanding evolved across time and the album. There is barely enough time to contemplate what was said before heavy guitars, drums, keys, slick samples, and razor-sharp cuts from DJ A.D.S hits. Get Ill sees Ken exploring the situation around how much was made about how people could get ill from covid. There is a lot to be said about how each of us, as individuals, made sense of what was going on around us at the time and here we see things through Kens eyes, noting how the information was affecting him at the time and how he made sense of what was in front of him. Piano and other keys calm the pace and open us to a moment of clarity. Even when the beat drops in it maintains that clarity as Ken takes us on a retrospective with 2020 Visions. Its true that it was a year most of us would like to forget of any number of reasons but, here Ken opens our minds, once more, to all the things that happened, and not just with covid but, beyond. This one really has an air about it that casts the mind back to the good days and those that were so full of pain, we wish we could press the reset button on 2020.

Flute notes and a soulful voice guide us into The Death of 2020, when the beat drops it is tinged with bells and gives us this heavy but thoughtful vibe as Ken drops a deep track looking at all those we lost in 2020. This is a very touching track, you might think its just a roll call and a dedication to everyone, not just the famous names. But it is more than that, to me anyway, it was not just the pandemic that caused those losses, there was murder, accidents, mental health and more, and as someone who lost a daughter to suicide in 2020 and my Father-in-Law early in 2022 (Covid was a factor here), this track hit home hard and with more emotion that normal. So, give this more that just feeling the beat, listen that bit deeper and truly feel the sentiment. Heavy guitar vibes and the voice of Russell Brand from his podcast, discussing the potential origins of the pandemic, drag us out of our thoughtful moment and back into a dark reality on V, where heavy drums and Ken Masters on the cut, direct us to a head nod vibe but, the beat is what is upbeat here. Ken takes us to the edge of the rabbit hole as he looks at thoughts, theories, and conspiracy theories around the pandemic and more. This one really makes you think of what we all went through and were directed to do in order to ‘keep us safe’. Now whether you believed what you were told or whether you made an informed choice to do things differently, this one opens your eyes once more and makes you think, all over again. Piano, Synth, and drums combine for Vax Buygraves (The Drugs Don’t Work). The vibe here has a dark edge, which fits perfectly as Ken explores the darker side of the pandemic. Vaccines, track and trace, and who actually made a profit from the pandemic are all laid bare here. Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on here, there is no denying that the truth is a murky place. There is also a lot of evidence to say that the drugs don’t work and do make things worse, especially with so many people having heart problems following vaccinations. This is a subject you really have to remain open minded on.

Drums and guitars are the basis of The Theatre of Nightmares. The vibe has an upbeat feel but, the subject matter is far from it as Ken takes aim at the powers that be. The government’s handling of the pandemic really turned into some kind of sick theatre show as it used catchy phrases and comedic interludes to get us to do what they wanted, all the while certain people chose to do the opposite, making a mockery of everything and making us question their motives. With large contracts handed to their friends for the purposes of keeping us safe, they made millions while we suffered under their control. Ken takes a further shot at BoJo the Clown on Off Werk, as he focuses on the ex-PM and his flagrant flaunting of the rules when we were being told one thing and he chose to do whatever he wanted. The production here see’s a return to the electronic Hip Hop, Kraftwerk vibe we first heard on Stay Home. A short acappella, which has an almost native tribal vibe, draws us into the next track before the beat drops, full of drums and bass. Real Pandemic sees Ken focus on exactly that one thing, what is the real pandemic here? What has been going on behind closed doors for centuries? What truly infects us all? I’m not going to deep into that as it is best you hear it from Ken but, I have to say, I totally agree with him, and it is up to us to see it for what it is and to change its course.

The penultimate track is the first of a two-part suite. Unity Suite (Part 1) begins with simple percussion with organ notes gradually coming in with drums, this serves to bring more focus to Ken’s words and what he is doing here is to set that focus on things that bring people together. This is the beginning of bringing light to all that has cast shadows across our lives and the soulful vocals continue that vibe inviting us to think on that before the Unity Suite (Part 2) hits with an upbeat vibe of horns, keys, and drums, that immediately makes you wanna get up and get moving. Here Ken elaborates on the fact that we are all one the world over and we are far stronger as one. The powers that be might seek to keep us apart but, unity will ultimately show the truth strength we all have and one that is magnified exponentially when we come together.

It almost seems a daunting prospect to try and sum this up and to give you an over all impression as there is a lot here to dwell on and consider. However, what is apparent is that this might just be one person’s narrative on what has been two years that have changed the world but, it is a hugely important narrative because it shows the progression of how he saw things and how his view of thing changed as time passed. If you were to take Ken’s words and write them down for people to read then a great many people could associate with them, while more and more would be able to associate with a great many of them, even if they did not agree with all of them.

If I just take a step back from how deep this album is, for a second, it is important to understand that the production on this album, from CraftmatiK, perfectly sets the mood of each track to match what Ken Masters has intended with his vocals. Yes, it might be unapologetically Hip Hop at its core but, it also has emotive depth as well which helps Ken’s words to sink in deeper. There is also elements of electro vibes along the way that give that extra dimension to the musical backdrop. Ken’s writing style is complex at times twisting words and drawing in what feels like huge amounts of information in just a few bars and the way he delivers those words, switching between flows and styles is, at times, mesmerising.

Overall, the Locked Down Memoirs is a truly personal and inspiring piece of work. It takes you on a journey that flows so well, touching on the deeply personal, the dark side of control, the hidden truths, and deep-rooted emotions but, it leaves us on a high as it shows that there is sunshine after the dark clouds have passed. For me this is a true triumph in musical expression and one not to be overlooked.

Locked Down Memoirs by Ken Masters is available now.

My thanks to Ken and to Seek The Northener for sending this one to me and extra thanks to Seek for sending the Bio I used at the start (in Italics).

I’m outta here,

Peace,

Steve 

LINKS

Get your copy of the album on Bandcamp here:

https://kenmasters101.bandcamp.com/album/ken-masters-locked-down-memoirs 

VIDEOS

Vax Buygraves (The Drugs Don't Work)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Review: From Beyond by T.H.E.M.

 

From Beyond

By

T.H.E.M.

 

From Beyond is the latest EP from UK Hip Hop crew T.H.E.M. which is comprised of Seek The Northerner, Karlow, Lomax and Bruva Smokes and signed to Northentic Records. The tracks that make up this EP were originally slated to be on the upcoming album from the group, which was originally going to be a two LP release but, due to costs etc, the crew decided to switch the album to a single disc release and drop the tracks that did not make the album on this digital release.

Out of Burnley the history of this crew goes back a long way and if you want to know more about the crew and their background, I suggest you check out their chat with Blade over on the 05:21 YouTube channel, where you can hear everything you need to know because these guys are all about real Hip Hop and connecting with others to keep the scene alive so, that interview is essential listening.

That said, it’s time to get deep into this EP and get a taste of what T.H.E.M. will be bringing to the table with their debut album…

The EP kicks of in style with Chessboard Dynamics which brings a real head nod vibe of drums and percussion vibes alongside this background of strings and flute notes that not only grabs your attention but, has you closing your eyes while your head nods, allowing the vocals to seep into your awareness. What T.H.E.M. does here is to deliver wordplay, knowledge and the kind of dexterous delivery that could be compared to the play of a chess grandmaster. At times you fully understand what’s going on, it all seems kinda raw and hardcore but, just as you think you’ve got it sussed out, the guys hit you with a new gambit, hitting your mind from multiple angles and leaving you in awe, and if that wasn’t enough the cut-up samples and razor-sharp scratches have hyped up and breathless. There is no let up as a funky guitar and more cuts galore lead us into Think Twice, before the beat drops and it all merges to form this funked up vibe that has this reggae piano twist to it, and all you can do vibe to it. Once more the verbal skills displayed here have you second guessing everything you hear, proving that Think Twice is not just a title but, also another talent these guys display as every verse and every bar has you questioning what you heard the more you listen.

Represent hits with this mind-numbing sound scape of cuts, heavy drums and what sounds like a ukulele or banjo, all combining with some sonic vibes to keep the energy levels high and the frequency vibrating your entire body. At first listen you might be for wondering exactly what this one is saying and it almost appears like there is a juxtaposition here with T.H.E.M. demonstrating how they are representing the UK scene but, you also get this vibe that they are taking a shot at those who say they are representing but, in truth, are out for nothing but, themselves and maybe that is a shot at the politicians and rich elitists who claim to be looking out for everyone’s best interests but, are only out for how much they can line their pockets. So, is it one or the other here? Perhaps it’s a bit of everything, you decide. Drums, guitars, and bass form backdrop to the EP’s title track, From Beyond and the vibe is once more on keeping those energy levels up with a boom bap style feel. Here the guys take us on a tongue-in-cheek look at real life in Burnley while, at the same time, expertly twisting and stretching our minds with their words to blur our concept of what the true reality is. We are left wondering what the truth is here and what has been taken from some weird view that is beyond reality and rooted firmly in the mind of the beholder…

The vibe of Games All Love is a more upbeat feel with drums, piano, and strings alongside the cuts keeping you moving. Here we find T.H.E.M. dropping verses on why they do what they do, the inspirations and the love for the game. This really shows that you don’t always have to be rhyming over dark heavy beats to deliver some solid bars that still reflect the reality of live and your love of good Hip Hop. Heading into the final track of the EP, T.H.E.M, we almost float into it on an orchestral soundscape before the beat drops and the cuts slice deeply into our awareness creating this banging boom bap vibe with that orchestral sound bringing an almost soundtrack feel. The guys take us on a journey into all that is and makes up T.H.E.M. but, this journey is more like an audible trip where the truths are a part of a dream like escapade that is drawn directly from their own minds to keep you entertained whist wondering what is real and what is simply T.H.E.M.

After listening to this, the first thing that came to mind was, if From Beyond is formed of tracks that didn’t make it to the album then just how good is the album? Because, From Beyond is a stunning EP and, quite honestly, one of the best I’ve heard this year.

The production is solid and has your adrenaline levels at their peak throughout the whole album and providing the perfect backdrop for what is a lyrical masterpiece. The wordplay skills demonstrated by T.H.E.M. is second to none. These guys know how to pack their verses full of intellectual and complex lyrics that flow like water through your awareness but, the more you listen, the more you realise that these guys really have proper rhyming skills, end of. Alongside that solid production and verbal mastery, there is this love of real Hip Hop in its purest form, the kind of Hip Hop that was seeded in the UK in the eighties and has flourished on the underground scene, T.H.E.M. completely embody the essence of that true Hip Hop sound.

I don’t think I can say much more. But here are six tracks of pure underground Hip Hop that has the energy to span the ages creating a sound that would be at home in the 80’s and 90’s as it is here and now. These guys have enough experience between them to take themselves to the pinnacle of the UK Underground scene and beyond. Are T.H.E.M. one to watch? Well, that’s a no brainer for sure.

From Beyond is available from T.H.E.M. on Bandcamp etc, now.

On that note,

I’m out, see ya…

Steve.

LINKS

Get From Beyond on Bandcamp Here:

https://themcrew.bandcamp.com/album/t-h-e-m-from-beyond-ep

VIDEOS

T.H.E.M. Live Performance - EP50 05:21 Official

Official 05:21 Sofa Chat EP38 - T.H.E.M.