EP Review: Slippa Presents Wrappers Delight Mini EP

 

Slippa Presents

Wrappers Delight

Mini EP

 

The Wrappers Delight Mini EP is the latest offering on the Good Darts Label. It is a four track 7 inch which boasts some incredible talent across those four tracks. This release is based around the Wrappers Delight card series, which was the brainchild of official Topps artist Slippa Chervascus. He created his own card series after working on artwork the Garbage Pail Kids card series, and releasing Wrappers Delight gave him the chance to combine his artwork with his love of music. Working under the umbrella of Good Darts gave him the chance to promote his art-based projects as well as branching out and creating a record label.

If you are familiar with the Wrappers Delight card series, then you are probably gonna love whats coming on this Mini EP, so let’s not hang around and get into it…

First up is the title track Wrappers Delight, it features vocals from Wordsmiff (aka Wordsmiff Flip), production by Remi Rorschach and cuts by Jabbathakut. The beat and electric guitar create this real smooth, funky head nod vibe that really give you one of those ‘Oh Yeah’ moments as soon as you here it alongside the nod to the Garbage Pail Kids on the intro. As much as this is the Mini EP’s title track, it is also one hell of an anthem for the Wrappers Delight cards. Wordsmiff drops a few short tales from his life coming up before taking you on trip that touches on cards from series one, two, three and beyond. Listening to his words brings back memories of trading cards in the playground and wondering what to do with your doubles and trying to get the rarer ones or that last card to needed to complete a series. Not only that but, the more you the track goes on its like listening to some Hip Hop Hendrix vibe while trying to visualise the cards in your mind…

Next up is Ultra Garbage and this one features Jounior Disprol on the mic, production from Slippa Chervascus, bass from Cam and cuts from Jabbathakut. The bass, beat and tambourine give this one a proper Hip Hop head nod vibe, the kind you wanna turn up load to make the speakers bump. Now this might just be a short track but, in one verse Junior Disprol delivers the kind of rap vocals that tests the very foundations of your mind, making you wanna rewind every line, and sometimes every word, just to make sure you heard it right, just like you wanna keep looking at the artwork on the trading cards to see if you missed anything. When you want to mirror the detail in a piece of art by putting it into words, this is how you do it…

If you consider that every Wrappers Delight card is a piece of art, then Rap Objet D’arts brings that into focus with Brainpower (Artist, Songwriter and Producer from Amsterdam) providing the vocals, Remi Rorschach on production and Jabbathakut on the cut. Unashamedly Hip Hop once more the beat and instantly recognisable piano sample gives this one an inner city gangsta vibe, a little like the early Kool G Rap and Polo sound. Brainpower really breaks it down about how good and perhaps even a little disturbing some of the art might be on the trading cards but, at the end of the day its about how good every piece is; collectors items, just like this vinyl release too and brainpower makes sure to shout out everyone involved with the release and reaffirming that you need to grab everything released via Good Darts…

Before you know it, we are at the last track and The Harder The Hit is something special too. It features vocals from graff legend and one half of The Artifacts, Tame One (R.I.P), alongside production from AMBA (Tarboosh Records) and, of course one final appearance from Jabbathakut. The beat, double bass, and keys on this bring that fresh Hip Hop, Jazz funk vibe, and if your heads still not nodding, then you this on intravenous drip with an infusion of Krylon. Tame One takes us from Wrappers delight to the life of a graff writer and back again, fusing the art of the trading cards with walls and subway cars of graffiti art. There is little more to be said as Tame’s words really seem to reflect that the vision of the graff writer and the trading card artist are one and the same, and that’s it nuff said right here…

 

I mean, what can I say about this release? If you have ten minutes to spare, then this is about the best thing you can do with those ten minutes, because they will most definitely not be wasted.

This might be Hip Hop with a particular focus, that focus being the Wrappers Delight cards, but this is also Hip Hop at its best. Taking it from the UK to the US and back again, Slippa and Good Darts delivers what is arguably one of the premier releases this year, and that fact that it is all packed in one little 7-inch package is almost beyond words.

The production from Remi Rorschash, Slippa Chervascus and AMBA is proper good, everyone being a head nod delight, and when you mix that with the incredible turntable skills of Jabbathakut, it just keeps you bouncing throughout those four tracks and beyond. The vocals from Wordsmiff, Junior Disprol, Brainpower and Tame One are as solid as they are individual, with each of them displaying some sublime lyricism and flows that truly show how good that international underground scene is.

Respect where respect is due Slippa Chervascus has put together an awe-inspiring release here that has the finest production, the dopest rap and the freshest art from Mark 563. What else is there to say except, don’t sleep on this one, I really mean it.

Wrappers Delight is available from August 4^th on limited 7” Lime green vinyl (including some limited trading cards too) and a little later on digital from Good Darts.

On that note,

Anyone got any doubles they wanna swap?

See ya next time,

Steve.

LINKS

The Mini EP will be available from the Good Darts Website:

https://www.gooddarts.co.uk/

Also available from Bandcamp:

https://chervascuts.bandcamp.com/album/wrappers-delight-mini-ep

Follow Good Darts on Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/DAMNGOODDARTS

https://www.instagram.com/damngooddarts/

VIDEOS

Wrappers Delight Promo mix by Jabbathakut

 

 

 

Album Review: Blade Dance by Remi Rorschach

Blade Dance

By

Remi Rorschach

 

Back in September of 2022 I reviewed the Breaking and Entering by Remi Rorschach, which was released on the Good Darts label. Now, Remi is back on Good Darts with his follow up release, Blade Dance.

As with his previous release, Blade Dance promises to be a mix of styles across ten hard hitting tracks. Once again Remi is joined by Slippalong Chervascus who provides cuts on the album and there are also live instrumentation courtesy of Nick Davis (Bass), Oli Genn-Bash (Sax) and Mike Brewin (Electric Guitar). There are appearances from PG Tips, Lizard Flex, Skwidzilla and Dashwung Slugger, while Remi not only performs his raps but, as with Breaking and Entering, writes, produces and engineers the project.

So, without further ado, join me on my journey through Blade Dance…

It all kicks of with the cuts, heavy electronic bass and a pounding boombap drum sound of Avin A Bubble, this one is a pure assault on the senses in everyway possible. That heavy sound even seems to over the vocals at points with Slippalong’s deadly cuts slicing into your mind, all this as Remi pulls no punches and unloads by mixing up the styles and flows which display a razor-sharp wordplay and a warning to anyone stepping up they must be having a laugh cos ya gonna be left under piles of rubble. Bass and drums are the foundation of the sound on Buzziness with and electronic vibe that almost stings your fragile nerves. There is still a Hip Hop vibe to this one as Remi opens up with a reality-based look at what life is about, a reality check if you will. There is silver lining here is simply looking at you gotta do what you gotta do, end of.

Here Be Dragons brings a more Drill/Trap edge to this but, the drums, guitars and orchestral notes have a more laid-back edge to it. The deeper edge here are the dragons, these seem to be the things we struggle with, addictions that grip us and change who we are, it’s even the violence and pain that is all around that gets the better of us. All the while the system seeks to keep us all down, never really tackling the problems but, allowing them to take control. Hash Tags features Oli The Saxmachine and PG Tips and has drums, cuts, sax and electric guitar that gives this one a reflective deep edge to it. As you listen to the stories here you wonder if this a reflection of inner-city life or more of a look into experiences of Remi himself, perhaps it’s both. The track ends with an extended guitar solo from PG Tips that elevates this one. Life is not easy thing when your written off and given no support to lift yourself up. Red Fountain has that Drill/Trap sound with an essence of Tarrantino and Samurai movies thrown in as Remi goes in as sharp as a katana on this one. It’s all about a verbal reflection of those crazy movies there every cut of the blade is met with the accompanying fountain of red mist as blood erupts from the victim.

It's back to the Hip Hop vibe with Cash Mountain but, there is a faint grime element mixed in too. Here Remi is almost reflecting the likes of Tony Montana as he details that it’s all about the money. Making the mountains of cash and using it lift you up to dizzying heights, while everyone around you wonders exactly how you’re doing it but, how you’re doing it is not important, it’s all about the fact you have it and what you can do with it. Sirens herald a return to the drill vibe with a heavy piano sound on Boss Level. Mario and computer game vibes permeate this one as Remi explains that it all about levelling up to the boss, being the best you can be. There is also that element of frustration where you keep aiming high but, can’t quite get there and anger, even rage creeps in and you almost forget it’s just a game because, all you wanna do is play to win. Back to the pounding boom bap drums, guitar, cuts and etheric vocal samples on OPS, which has a head nod vibe on what is that posse cut vibe. Remi, Lizard Flex, Skwidzilla and Dashwung Slugger drop verse after verse of slick wordplay that is unrelenting and has one aim, which is to get you bouncing, so enjoy this one.

The penultimate track is Vulneratus Non Victus, this is a Latin phrase, which translated into English means Wounded but not conquered. Featuring PG Tips the guitars, keys and drums give this one an upbeat head nod sound. The vibe from this one really seems to say that going into anything you are not going to come out unscathed, you won’t win every battle along the way, and that’s what it’s all about is walking forward no mater what. The album rounds off with Start A Cult, drums keys, and electric guitar give this a rock rap sound, even with that faint trap sound in the background. With skillful wordplay and turns of flow, Remi seems to be saying here that its not about creating something that gives you a kind of cult following, it’s all about being individual and doing your thing and being authentic and giving the people what they want.

 

So, first off, the thing that strikes you initially is that Blade Dance is very much a hardcore style album. Remi has crafted this unflinching and unrelenting release that pulls no punches when it comes to looking at life from the view of todays youth on the streets. It is a far more Hip Hop influenced release than Breaking and Entering but, still has enough variety of styles to appeal to wide audience.

The more you listen to this, there is a sense that there is a deeper meaning behind the album. I know that everyone has their own life experience that colours how they interpret things but, as much as this album speaks on life and a view of that life from a particular viewpoint, it also speaks on the self and you view and react to what happens around you. There is a lot of anger and upset in the world at the moment and when you are viewing the world through a lens of the troubled self then you will see things different to most and sometimes the anger and a desire to let go of it, is understandable just as in a way as if you were hitting a punchbag at the gym, except you do it through music. That was just a personal viewpoint…

Back to the album.

The album has a very well-crafted sound that gives a polished foundation for the raw, gritty and unflinching vocal style Remi brings and it works very well. But, one thing I really liked about the album is that Remi uses a lot of live instruments to give the album more of a musical edge and for me those live instruments just elevate the sound somewhat. The musicians all did a cracking job here so much respect to them. There is also that one posse style cut which is one of those tracks that is really for the listeners, and everyone does a superb job on this, showing their skills and keeping the adrenaline levels up. Remi also keeps you guessing all through the album, which flows very well by the way, there are times you wonder if he is simply venting his anger and other times you get this is all coming from personal experience but, you do wonder which is the basis of the album until you have listened to the entirety of the album and you realise it comes from inside the mind of Remi Rorschach and it all has basis in reality.

Overall, Blade Dance is a solid and hardcore album with dark undertones that reflects the struggles of life in the inner-city environment where it seems hard to rise out of those tough spaces. Where anger, pain and addiction colours the walls everywhere you look. Through music the album gives you a look at that world and how one man stood up to show that world and his journey through it to where he is now.

Blade Dance is out now on the Good Darts label with digital and CD formats available.

On That note,

I’m out, see ya.

Steve.

LINKS

Get the album on CD from Good Darts Here:

https://www.gooddarts.co.uk/product/remi-rorschach-blade-dance-cd-stickers/?fbclid=IwAR0aRqLJPTqAGME6fLDVBX2tTDO_FF3VZ0qLv2cPZP0v9mEpKBuAxhR68SM

Remi Rorschach Website:

https://www.remirorschach.com/?fbclid=IwAR3kcklaw736F6v9sNT9n3ibwsmQ2Y-tPnhnoeK7fUp8LEsmPsBq1zvafIw

Stream on Spotify Here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/2LivG17rzpNiD7GNFywLMf?fbclid=IwAR2d4SbAIpJF9qGBFW2Vd2ElRbjwz-CyXSqevQscS75mW7lVc4_uNESQULA

VIDEOS

Blade Dance - Jabbathakut promo mix

Red Fountain

OPS

You can find more videos from Blade Dance at Remi's YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@remirorschach9189/featured

 

 

 

  

EP Review: Breaking and Entering EP by Remi Rorschach

 

Breaking and Entering EP

By

Remi Rorschach

 

Today see’s the release of the debut EP from Remi Rorschach, the Breaking and Entering EP. Remi hails from the UK’s Southeast and he has written, produced, performed, and engineered the entire project. The EP is released via the Good Darts label and see’s Remi being joined by Slippa Chervascus, who provides cuts, sketches, and skits. There are also some live instruments to boot here too with Sax provided by Oli Genn-Bash and Bass provided by Gwendal Langlois and Nick Davies.

Now Slippa Chervascus, the man behind Good Darts goes way back with Remi and has been promoting this for some time and says it promises to be a mixture of styles with a machine gun flow. The kinda release that might see ya needing some new underwear? So, with all that in mind it’s only right that we dive in feet first and see if this EP is what it says it is…

 

The EP kicks off with Mutiny, where the drums, cuts, keys, and bass mesh together and hit you with pace. The vibe here has a dark edge to it with vocals that are raw and gritty with plenty of venom. The sense you get here is that Remi Rorschach is hitting out at those people who turn their back on you, making out that they are leaving a sinking ship but, the reality is that their attitude is causing the ship to sink and that by abandoning the sinking ship they are, in fact, the ones who are saving it. The pace ain’t about to let up with the grime sound and dark synth vibe of Knock Knock. Remi’s intense delivery makes this one hard to read but, you get the feeling that this one is all about taking no shit from anyone, hitting hard, fast and getting maximum respect no matter what. There is very much a feeling of I’m not to be fucked with on this one.

From that grime vibe, things switch back to very much a Hip Hop banger with Take A Look. The drums, cuts, guitar, and piano hit hard as Remi drops unapologetic X-rated vocals as he asks you to look at exactly who he is, what he does and how he does it. But don’t get too close as this one is gonna cut deep, like a rusty razor. Heavy pounding beats and sonic synth sounds change the vibe once more as Postal takes a look at the stresses and strains of life. It’s all about the things that push you to the edge of what your mind can take, the moments where anything can happen, where reality and fiction merge and you begin to wonder what is truly real.

The intro to So Depressed kind of makes you think this will be a chilled track but, the only thing chilled about this is the flow has a little less pace to it. The drums pound while the sax, piano and strings carry you along. Here Remi does a cracking job of creating a tough track, one that touches you in a deep way, as he looks at the reality of the everyday pain that so many go through, whilst still appearing to be handling life just like anyone else, while suffering in silence. Many of those who do suffer in silence find a way of coping by heading to the Late Night Drug Stop. There is that chilled edge to this again that is created by a mix of keys, guitar, cuts, and drums. Remi switches the flow down a notch or two again as he turns his attention to life from the point of view of the dealer. The one those seeking solace so often turn to.

The main elements of Dog God are piano and drums, these merge together into an almost nerve tingling vibe that has you on edge. Remi switches between flows as looks at the kind of person who is deluded into thinking they are more than who they truly are. This is the kind of person who does not know their true self and in that place of not knowing they create a false character, with bravado, which they project to the world, one that so many are taken in by and look up to. Drums and heavy bass hit with an almost trap vibe, one that seems to mess with your head on Fuck That. Dick Dastardly joins Remi Rorschach to look at the drug culture and how it impacts the life of the younger generation.

With those thoughts of how drugs impact life so fresh in our minds, a drill vibe of bass and sonic sounds tears at your mind. The focus switches to the gang culture on Gang Mafia, something that is so closely linked to the drug culture. Skengman Supreme joins Remi Rorschach to take a no holes barred look at the violent world of gangs. This one comes from the point of view of those within the gang who will not think twice of using violence to settle a score at take on anyone who crosses them. The brutality of life is not lost on you as the final track of the EP drops with a proper Hip Hop vibe of drums, keys, and cuts but, with a dark edge. Diablo’s Dance see’s Remi take us deep into a disturbing, nightmarish vision of someone caught up in a dangerous downward spiral of money. Here we find out what can happen when all you seek is to make money and will do anything to get it. You get caught up with those who will take advantage of that desire and they will draw you down a very dark path…

 

What is most apparent here is that with the Breaking and Entering EP, Remi Rorschach is reflecting the dark side of life and touching on a raw side of reality that few wish to look at. We see a dark, dangerous, and brutal vision of what is going on in the streets and behind the closed doors of towns and cities in the UK. The diverse range of musical styles he shows here really bring that reality into our minds, as does his variety of flows and wordplay which are all delivered with a gritty rawness that is the nature of that reality, he is trying to show us.

The use of those different styles very much enhances the mood and impact of the message that is being conveyed. For example, using the drill style music to put across that vision of gang culture on Gang Mafia, really does put across the stark reality of what those caught up in those situations must experience. It shows a true understanding of life on the streets and how it impacts the youth of today. The entire EP paints this deeply emotive picture of inner-city life, where gangs rule, drugs are a crippling big business and the external pressures of life keep people trapped in ever decreasing circles of poverty and fighting for a better life.

To be honest here this is more than just an EP. There are enough tracks here and length to call this an album. I do get the feeling that there will be those who don’t vibe with everything here. I’ll be honest and say that I’m not a lover of trap or drill music but, I do see how it appeals to others and I can see how you can deliver a positive message using any genre of music. The important thing here is that Remi Rorschach has delivered an impressive EP that is self-produced, written, performed and more, which is no mean feat. The guests artists and musicians all fit so well into the tracks providing just the right amount of depth to compliment the project.

This is one of those you’ll want to check out and make you own mind up because I’m sure it will elicit different visions in the minds of everyone.

The Breaking and Entering EP is out today on streaming and with some limited CD copies as well so, don’t miss out.

My thanks to Slippa Chervascus of Good Darts for sending me this one. 

One that note,

I’m out, see ya next time,

Steve

 

LINKS

CD copies are available through Good Darts:

http://gooddarts.co.uk/ 

Remi Rorschach Merch:

http://remirorschach.com/

Check Remi Rorschach on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1bBPNt79CjRehhb4pMzxfn 

Remi Rorschach on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/remirorschachs/

Good Darts on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/damngooddarts/

Breaking and Entering EP YouTube Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lCy7gZLU4yY66XhK1d8azXFSMergnKD6g 

 

VIDEOS

Breaking and Entering EP Jabbathakut Promo Mix