Single Review: SS005 - Flight of the Condor / Final Flight of the Condor

 

SS005 - Flight Of The Condor / Final Flight Of The Condor

By

Uncle Mic Nitro, DJ Nappa & DJ Mr Thing / DJ Nappa & Krash Slaughta

NOTE: Before I get into the review, I just wanted to let you know that this will not be my usual review style. There will be some personal stuff included in here and some of this may be considered as triggering to some people and I therefore give a TRIGGER WARNING as some of what you are about to read will contain references to cancer, suicide, and death. If any of this may affect you, I please ask you take care when reading.

Thank You, Steve

 

This single is the final release on the SoulCondor Slices label that was set up by Del Soulcondor aka Derek Grayston. Like so many I became friends with Del over Instagram, by the time I became aware of Del’s music and awful situation with his cancer diagnosis, I was already suffering with my own grief having lost my youngest daughter, in October of 2020, when she took her own life. His story touched me deeply as I had lost my own mother to cancer back in 1995. I felt that I wanted to do something to support him and knew that the best way for me to do that was to review his upcoming releases.

After a few chats Del sent me the files for SS001 & SS002 and a little later the files for SS003 & SS004. I was so glad that he liked the reviews, and it gave me a true sense of getting his music out to people. When he told me of the up coming SS005 (Then called Operation Condor) I knew it would be a given for me to drop another review when it was eventually released.

As 2021 moved towards its final quarter I began to struggle with my grief as this would be the first anniversary of losing my daughter. Although these were dark times, I kept watch on Dels posts and sent him screen shots of when SS003 & SS004 (Issue 467/8) appeared in the Online Gonzo weekly magazine (Gonzo is an online music mag run by a good friend who now features my reviews and had already featured my reviews on SS001 & SS002 (issue 457/8)), Del did not get back to me, which was not something I expected as by now he was in a hospice and I knew it was getting harder for him to respond. So, it shook me deeply when I saw the post that he had passed away. Then, more than ever, I knew that SS005 would be on my list.

I had originally heard both tracks when Del released them via soundcloud. The fact that these tracks are dedication tracks really touched me on a deep level as I have been exploring the idea of a dedication track for my daughter for some time and I still hold that in my heart.

Del was a true lover of Hip Hop music and music in general. He loved his family and all those around him. He was also a true fighter and had a strength of character that I have seen in very few people. So, here is my take on SS005, Enjoy…

 

Flight Of The Condor is touching dedication track written by Southampton UK emcee Uncle Mic Nitro. Produced by DJ Nappa and featuring cuts from DJ Mr Thing. Nappa’s production blends guitar, horns, xylophone notes, and Drums with emotive choral vocals, the outcome is this upbeat track interlaced with Mr Things classic cuts that, in spite of knowing the story behind it, just gets you in the mood to nod you head and groove to. It’s just the kinda sound Del enjoyed. Del also loved Uncle Mic Nitro’s deeply personal vocals as he details his online friendship with Del, his desire that they would one day meet in person and the shock when the heart-breaking news came that Del’s cancer was terminal and nothing more could be done. UMN also speaks on the kinda person Del was, the fact that he always had time for a chat and his love of Hip Hop, the music he produced and his plans for Soulcondor Slices. With Flight Of The Condor, Uncle Mic Nitro, DJ Nappa and DJ Mr Thing really bring into focus the strength and the soaring nature of Del’s spirit. This is quite honestly a dedication track of the highest order and one that comes straight from the heart and touches your heart.

 Final Flight Of The Condor see’s DJ Nappa on production and Krash Slaughta on the cuts, and what these two do here is to take the strength and the soaring nature of Del’s spirit and take it to another level. Nappa brings horns, drums which, alongside Krash Slaughta’s, quite honestly, incredible cut’s, creates this beautiful blend of jazzy horns and Hip Hop vibes. That final flight is something we will all take one day but, few of us will have our final flight reflected in such a way as this. As you listen to the track you can sit back and easily imagine Del’s spirit soaring high above in the clouds, a scene that is so beautifully depicted on the cover of the 7” single by Digital Dyer (John Dyer). This one hits you in so many ways, it is a true anthem that evokes the memory of Del, someone who lived for music and his family, even after that heart-breaking diagnosis. Every beat, every scratch and cut, puts you in touch with Del’s resilience and strength of character, aspects that were such an inspiration to so many. Final Flight Of The Condor not only celebrates Del’s life but, it also reminds us that we all have the strength inside us to walk tall in the face of even the hardest of life’s hurdles.

 

I don’t think that I can write much more to sum up this release. This was one review that took so much to write.

What I would like to do, is to give you Del’s own words on what he thought of these two tracks, everyone involved and more. This is taken from the back cover of the 7” single…

This record is special to me. Both sides, very personal and very special…

I want to say thank you to Uncle Mic Nitro for stepping to me with the first idea, for doing such a proper heartfelt job on the vocals and for becoming a caring friend.

DJ Nappa for being the man as usual and bringing two of the nicest beats ever that totally suit this project, Nappa mate love you pal.

Dj Mr Thing for stepping up and lacing “Flight” with the crazy nice cuts. That’s twice I’ve had my fav DJ in the world on my tracks…..

Thank You, also on the DJ tip I’ve got to big up my man, good friend and ex band mate DJ Krash Slaughta for totally killing “Final Flight”…..Wow, when I heard this for the first time I had tears. The Amazing, amazing cuts combined with that beat!

Massive shouts to Rare Dave over at Diggers With Gratitude for doing all the postage and packing. Without him you would not be holding these records! Thanks so much Dave.

Want to thank John Dyer for getting involved in the artwork. Looking great, I appreciate it. Ollie Knight for the vocal production and mastering the tunes for us, thanks pal.

And sending all my love out to my mum, sister, and daughter, love yous all so much. All family and friends thank you for your support.

Much Love

Del Soulcondor (October 2021)

 

Here are two tracks that celebrate the life of Del in a way that only the Hip Hop community knows how to do but, more than that you have two deeply emotional tracks that will undoubtedly bring tears to the eye’s of many as they listen and think, not only of Del but, also their own loved ones whose spirits now soar above with Del, looking down on us and helping to give us the strength to see another day and to remember that they are never truly gone but, are there stood beside us when ever we think of them or through the hardest times.

If you have not heard these tracks yet, I wholeheartedly invite you to head over to the link below and listen, you will be glad you did and if you are one of those lucky enough to have a copy of the 7” single, then this is one to treasure.

My love and respect goes out to everyone involved in this truly special release for Del.

I dedicate this review to Del (Derek Grayston), to my daughter Deanie, and to memory of all those we have loved and who now soar above us.

Fly high SoulCondor…

Steve

LINKS

There are still a few copies of the 7" and the SSCD001 Super Dynamite Soul available through Diggers With Gratitude Fresh Pressings Here:

http://freshpressings.bigcartel.com/

Check Soulcondor Slices on Soundcloud Here:

https://soundcloud.com/soulcondorslices

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/

Special Singles Review: Soulcondor Slices 001 & 002

 

Soulcondor Slices

001 – Save The Wax: Genesis Elijah, Mistah Bohze, Greg Blackman and DJ Moneyshot

002 – Superfunk (Remixes): Phill Most Chill and Mr Fantastic

Single Reviews

 

When we are faced with life changing situations it can often spur us to do things we have always wanted to do but, never took that step to make it a reality. One such situation presented itself to vinyl collector and Hip-Hop lover, Del Soulcondor in 2020. In this instance that life changing event was a cancer diagnosis. What this did for Del was to lead him to decide to create his own record label due to his love of Hip Hop and so Soulcondor Slices was born.

The labels first release was a fund-raising track for Del himself titled Save The Wax. The track was produced by Dj Moneyshot of The Allergies, he also provides the scratches, and features the vocal tallents of Genesis Elijah, Mistah Bohze and Greg Blackman on the soulful chorus. The track itself is a Krush Groovin’, Body Moovin’ mix of jazzy horns, bass, guitar vibes over a proper funky beat. This one is all about the wax, one of the foundations of what Hip Hop music is. Reminiscing about your first experiences of music on vinyl and what that meant and how we definitely need to Save The Wax. There is something so special about the sound created by the vibrations of that tiny diamond needle, it’s a whole experience that goes beyond the music.

Now when you flip this one, you’re not getting an instrumental on the B-Side. Del reached out to Scotland’s own Jazz Spastiks, one of the premier Hip-Hop DJ’s, beatmakers and producers out there right now. They hit back with a remix of Save The Wax which brings their own sound to bear on the track. The remix is a double bass heavy vibe that deeps the jazz feel and adds a peppering of scratches which, all in, gives this a chilled-out vibe that just stops short of allowing you to drift away too far.

The second and latest release from Soulcondor Slices is a pair of remixes. The Superfunk Remixes see’s Del Soulcondor himself and Brighton’s Mac McRaw remix the classic 2013 track Superfunk Inc by Phill Most Chill which was produced and scratched by Bristol’s Mr Fantastic. The original saw PMC and Mr Fantastic get superfunky as PMC dropped plenty of lines on what makes him one of the most skilled rappers out there.

For this single the A-Side features Del Soulcondor presenting his take on Superfunk which is heavy on the Drums and Double bass. Taking nothing away from the original Del adds a new energetic dimension to the track that will have you, unconsciously, just wanting to move. It just kinda reaches deep down into your soul and flicks that feel good switch, making you feel a warm and fuzzy and wanting groove to this no matter where you hear it.

Flipping to the B-Side Mac McRaw steps up to drop a bass heavy vibe that brings in some funky horns and bass. At first it might seem to be sparce but, there is little doubt that this one has club banger written all over it. In fact, to be perfectly honest, the more you listen to this the more it becomes apparent that, like Del’s remix, you can get down to this one anywhere.

 

So, here we have four amazing Hip-Hop tracks that are the epitome of what Hip-Hop is all about. You have top notch production that creates the kinda music that is the very heart of Hip-Hop. It has energy with that feel good vibe you just want to listen to over and over. There are emcees from both sides of the pond bringing the kinda bars we all wanna here, rhyming with skill and putting that feel good music vibe into words. I could leave it there as these tracks have something for anyone who loves that real Hip-Hop vibe but, for me there is something else here…

Del has created a Hip-Hop label that is not just dropping great music but, with it being built on the back of such a life changing situation, there is a depth here that can touch you on many levels if you so choose to allow it in. What do I mean by that? Well, it’s simple there is good music, and there is music that can touch your soul and it does that by a perfect balance of lyrics, musical content and the heart that is put into it by the artists, isn’t that why we call them artist’s? I really feel that the extra dimension here is the intention and the inspirational heart and soul for Del Soulcondor and his desire to do something he has always wanted to do and doing that in the face of such adversity and for me that just adds something on a deeper level you do not always feel in music. It also demonstrates exactly why so many underground artists do what they do… It’s not about the money, it’s about the love of the music and that touches everyone.

I am fairly sure that these are sold out already so, I would advise you to listen out for them on online radio or on YouTube, even the one and only Scratch Bastid has cut up Save The Wax.

SS003 Fuck Cancer/Heavy XL and 004 Living For The Day/Raise Em' High will be released sometime in the not to distant future so, watch out for these because with features from the likes of Blade, Phill Most Chill, Soundsci, Chrome, Dopamine 189, Specifik, Cut Beetlez, Dj Nappa, Respek BA, Zeeny and Mr Thing, these bound to sell like hot cakes and from the snippets teased by Del recently they promise to be as full of energy and emotion as the current slices.

I would also humbly ask you to follow Del on social media and send him plenty of positive vibes. These are tough times for Del, tougher that most of us can even conceive, and the more we support him and help him stay strong in these testing times, the closer we can bring that light at the end of the tunnel and help him build Soulcondor Slices into a huge success, both in the now and long into the future.

I send my thanks to Del for sending these over to me and I will continue send him positive vibes and healing thoughts. One love my friend.

Steve.

Foot Note: It is not often that I ask to review something but, these releases from Soulcondor Slices were one of those exceptions. I have had my own struggles these last couple of years and have also lost a number of family and friends to cancer, including my mum who I helped nurse through those times. A few years back my father, thankfully, overcame prostate cancer whilst I was diagnosed with Barratts oesophagus, which can be a precursor to cancer, the same that took my mum, if not monitored every few years. The more I followed Del’s story, the more I had this feeling deep within me that I wanted to listen to these tracks, to feel the deeper vibes and maybe to go beyond the music. So, it has been an honour to listen and to give my honest and heart felt thoughts on these tracks, and I hope that my words have brought out what I intended them to.

We don’t know what the future has to bring. So, let’s do one thing and make the now spectacular…

 

Peace Out,

Steve

LINKS

Del Soulcondor on Instagram:

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

Soulcondor Slices on Discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/label/2129839-Soulcondor-Slices