Leave a Light On – Remark ft Jamie B Sings - Review

Leave a Light On – Remark ft Jamie B Sings

Review

Released at the end of September Remark drops another track to make us sit back and think.

This track took me back to the early eighties and the Electro days where we listened to Hip Hop and electronic music by the likes of Kraftwerk. This track really had that feel for me. It had that smooth electronic feel with Remark’s calmly delivered Lyric’s and Jamie B Sings melodic voice.

But, as with a lot that Remark does, this comes with a message, something that is deep and that we can all relate to each and every day.

It’s about remembering that in this world of dark times, dark messages and pain. We just need to remember that relief from that darkness comes from one thing, just Leave a Light On. Weather that light is physical or metaphysical, holding that light keeps us from losing our grip on reality.

This is what I really like about what Remark produces, music that gives you something to feel and not just to hear. We all hear music everyday in many contexts but, when you feel that music and not just hear it, then you know you are listening to something special. This is all complimented by visuals in the video that accompanies the track. Not your standard music video but, then when your track is not the average music track the video has to match that and Remark always hits the spot.

Another top release from Remark with production from the tallented IronSkinMusic. So, support independent releases and go get this one.

Links below,

Steve.

Leave a Light On Video 

Bandcamp DOWNLOAD 

iTunes DOWNLOAD 

Remark on Facebook 

Remark on Instagram 

ONE OZ - All For Nothing REVIEW

One OZ – All for Nothing

Review

This is the latest release from Edinburgh’s own ONE OZ and was released back in May of this year. It is available as a free Download from his Bandcamp page and I gotta say its well worth checking out. 

ONE OZ has worked alongside some top rap artists from the likes of Black Poet and Ruste Juxx to the UK’s Leafdog and Micall Parknsun. He has been dropping his releases on Bandcamp since 2013 and has a catalogue worth checking out.

‘All for Nothing’ is 19 tracks deep and has Production features from the likes of Leafdog, Micall Parknsun, Wilson Fisk and more. There are also a few guest emcee’s who feature including Ironmaster and Jed.

Features and Production aside ‘All for Nothing’ display’s ONE OZ’s style and shows he is no slouch on the Mic. For me the opening track, The Greatest, shows this guys style perfectly, very much a no nonsense, not giving a Fuck kinda style. Well anyone who hits you with the line “You can piss on the floor or be a hero and try and take a shit on the roof” is telling it the way they see it no fluff and silver linings.

I have found this to be good listening during my long car journey’s and one of those album’s you can bang on and listen to all the way, no need to skip. ONE OZ has a distinctive voice, as you would expect coming from Scotland but, that only adds to the uniqueness. 

Stand out tracks for me are the opening track, The Greatest, That featuring Leafdog on the Production, More Time featuring Production by CRINK, I Spy produced by STS & Broken Arrow produced by Wilson Fisk. But, all truth be told it was difficult really picking out stand out tracks because the whole album is pretty strong.

The only think I would have liked to hear more of was for the bass to be a bit heavier. This is just a personal think as I do like my bass to be deep. 

I would like to hear more from ONE OZ and would like to hear him feature on a few more tracks cos this guy has the skills and deserves the recognition.

Check the link below to get your copy.

Steve

All for Nothing on BANDCAMP 

Let It Go - Single Review

LET IT GO

By REMARK

The latest single from UK Hip Hop legend Remark is sure to cause a few waves. There will be those that get it from the outset and those that don’t. But, if you are one of the latter, I urge you to give it a deep listen and see where it takes you.

A blend of Hip Hop, electronica and a twist of the alternative, Let It Go has the kinda vibe that has you see sawing between genres but, there is no time to spend on which vibe is which because this track is fast paced and drags you kicking and screaming into Remarks deep message.

Remarks instantly recognizable voice kicks in to a message deeply rooted in the society we live, no matter which country you live in. Every day we are bombarded by the negativity that human beings have created. It matters not what you do with your day, watch TV, read the papers, spend ages on Social Media or just walk down the street. There is a lot out there orchestrated to bring you down or hold you back. Remarks message is giving you a way out of how that negativity affects you. The way out is to Let It Go! 

Don’t get sucked in by what goes on around you. Don’t react to all that negativity. Take a deep breath cos shit’s always gonna happen but, it does not have to happen to you. Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, Let It Go.

Demonstrates Remarks talent for blending and bridging different genres, Let it Go even had me going back to an electromic 80’s feel. His delivery is on point in tackling important current issues and giving it to you straight, no bullshit. Also important here is the power of putting your music out independently. You can touch the subjects the mainstream only wishes they could.

Get yourself Let it Go for your listening pleasure and see for yourself if the deeper meaning will stay with you, just let it in. For extra impact, check out the official video on YouTube (Link Below) with the added visual element that reinforces the lesson.

I, for one, am looking forward to a long awaited Remark Long Player.

One more thing, Support Remark and go buy the single, Link below.

Enjoy everyone,

I’m outta here.

Steve

Let It Go - Official Video 

Buy Let It Go here on Bandcamp 

Buy on Itunes here 

Connect with Remark on Facebook 

Connect with Remark on Insta... 

Iceski & Merlin - Single Review

UK Hip Hop Single Review

Full Battle Rhymer/Elemental – Iceski & Merlin

First things first, the cover is on some Full Metal Jacket vibe and expertly crafted, in that movie poster theme, by MR.TIBBZ and EXILE. It is the first thing that hits you about this release from Show and Prove Records and gives you feeling that the vibe of this piece of wax is gonna hit harder than an M60 machine gun at point blank range.

Full Battle Rhymer – begins rather calmly but, as your about to sit back relax you ears are assaulted by a relentless volley of the hardest beats, rhymes and scratches that I’ve heard in a while. Merlin provides production of the most heart pounding artillery while DJ Tones and DJ Highfly provide cuts of devastating cover fire. All this to back-up Iceski and Exile who stroll into the Hip Hop battle field with Lyrical guns blazing. This track is a statement to the competition and provides a line drawn in the dust. A line that invites others to step up to and try their hand at taking on this incredible musical force but, be warned they take no prisoners.

Elemental – Just when you thought it was safe to stick you head out of cover our duo creep up behind you and unload a fresh clip. Again the production pounds away at your ear drums while the cuts tear deep into your soul. As you are lying there wondering what’s happening, Iceski is loading the final bullet into the verbal gun, drawing back the hammer and holding it to your temple, before slowly squeezing the trigger...

What we have here is the closest thing to Hip Hops Expendables. Iceski & Merlin are joined by Exile, DJ Tones and DJ Highfly and backed up by Whirlwind D and MR.TIBBZ. This is a solid release from Show and Prove Records and one that pushes the bar that little bit higher. 

Anyone who loves their Hip Hop will not be failed to be impressed by this banger and believe me it’s a Banger plain and simple. It has everything from a couple of blistering tracks to a stunning artistic concept to a very apt description, which you should digest before unleashing the fury on your ears and nerves.

Get yours from the link below.

P.S. Turn the volume way up on this one…

That said,

I’m outta here.

Steve

ICESKI & MERLIN - ORDER IT HERE 

ICESKI & MERLIN - FACEBOOK 

Dolby D - It's Messy/ Absolutely Messy/ 21 Gun Salute Single Review

It’s Messy/Absolutely Messy/21 Gun Salute

By Dolby D

A Review

I have been looking forward to reviewing this one for some time. Why! I hear one of you ask (that one is probably my son or brother)... Anyway, I digress...

Well, when I first decided to put my listening skills to good use, one of the best UK artists had already retired from the scene. However, in reviewing this release I not only get the chance to review a track with Three UK legends But, I get the chance to review a track featuring that retired UK artist, my good friend Blade. 

Trust me, reviewing ain’t easy But, somebody gotta do it!

I am not going to get into Dolby’s B-Boy history here. I’ll leave that for an album review or Interview perhaps. But, if you don’t know who Dolby is? You soon will so you might wanna do ya UK Hip Hop homework.

All I will say is that this is his first Official release. His previous stuff has yet to see the light of day but, he is still a huge figure in the UK Hip Hop scene.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s break into this:

IT’s MESSY – A proper banger this one But, one with a serious message about the state of the society we live in and have created. In fact Dolby Himself describes it as “thoughts and observations on the state of the world, big things and small things”.

Absolutely Messy ft MC Mello and Blade – The same theme as It’s Messy but, here we have three UK legends each giving their own vision of the state of our society. Dolby Kicks it off with the first verse putting you in a head-spin. Mello is up next dropping knowledge showing you things ain’t all glitter and glam. Finally Blade steps up and assaults your ears with a mental rhyme bomb. It’s often hard to better an original track but, Dolby has got two of the UK’s legendary figures to come in, bringing their own style and visions and helping him craft a banging piece of conscious Hip Hop. Dolby add’s “I always wanted other rappers views on the state of the world. I saw it as a great idea for a posse song”. A great idea? It was an Absolutely Bonkers Idea.

21 Gun Salute - Now here Dolby takes us more to the grime side of things. Now grime might not be my thing but, you can’t deny that this kicks and hits hard. You might be mistaken in thinking this on what this track might be all about. Perhaps I’ll let Dolby explain it to you “21 Gun Salute is about respect. Respect when you have been disrespected. And respect for women”. Also Dolby explained to me that this track was written way back in the Channel U days of 2005. Before Grime was Grime, the only thing tweaked was the music.

Ain’t I good to ya, I even give you quotes from the Man Himself.

So there you have it, one for old and new heads alike. With this release not only do you get an introduction into who Dolby D is, his styles and the topics he spins his verses around, with Its Messy and 21 Gun Salute But, you get a track, Absolutely Messy, that takes you back to a time in UK Hip Hop when legends were born, respect was earned on stage, on Vinyl and Legacies were forged.

This is just what you want from a first release but, it also makes a huge statement and leave you thinking ‘Damn’ What’s next from Dolby? Can he step up and match this with what he releases next?

Whatever Dolby D has in store for us next, with such a diverse range, I’ll be watching for it with eager anticipation and I suggest you do the same.

Massive shout out and respect to Dolby D for giving me some insight into the tracks.

It’s Messy/ Absolutely Messy/ 21 Gun Salute is available on Digital, CD and Vinyl from Click Clack Connection Records. Check below for some links to get yours.

Till next time,

I’m outta here.

Steve – Infinite Sounds

CCC Records - Webpage 

Dolby D on the AllCity Taxi TalkShow