The EMU SP-1200 has provided Hip Hop producers with a staple
diet of beats that have become what is the classic Hip Hop sound. In fact, you
could go so far as to say that the short 10 second beats that are produced by
the SP-1200 are the core of the true Hip Hop sound.
60 Raw Ones is a mixtape style release from respected UK DJ,
producer and crate digger, Mac McRaw who has had a long and varied career to
date. He started his DJ career in 1986 following initial years from 1984 as a
B-Boy. In 1990 he produced the highly sought after and first South Coast Hip
Hop 12” single, The Struggle Continues/Back to Basics by Severe Carnage. 1993
saw him living in Oakland California where he was first introduced to the EMU
SP-1200. During this time Del the Funky Homosapien in Europe and had lent his
own SP 1200 to friend and through this friend Mac McRaw would learn the craft
of the SP1200. Later in 93 he would return to the UK and acquire his own
SP-1200. In 2000 he would start the first Hip Hop label to exclusively release
7” only singles. In 2010 he put together the Vinyl Veterans DJ crew, which
includes such names as DJ Format, Oxygen, Soundsci, Daily Diggers, Rob Life and
many more. Two years later he would team with fellow crate digger and Hip Hop artwork
supremo Mr Krum to form Cold Rock Stuff Records. During all this time Mac McRaw
would continue to DJ on the Brighton Hip Hop scene and support such acts as
Kool Herc, Ultramagnetic MC’s, Big Daddy Kane, Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, Schoolly
D and more.
What Mac McRaw has done with 60 Raw Ones is to take 60 raw
beats, those 10 second raw sounds, that have come straight from his SP-1200
between 1993 and 2020. He has then added some movie dialog originally intended
for a mixtape in 1990, some lyric samples, minimal scratches and a dusting of
drops from some of the cream of Hip Hop DJ, Producers and Emcees, all flowing
along between 84 to 120bpm.
Released on digital and classic audio cassette by Bristol’s
definitive Hip Hop label AE-Productions, 60 Raw Ones consists of two tracks
nigh on 30mins each, the initial run has already sold out. In lieu of a
possible second run of this instant classic, what exactly does this sound like…
Side A features a wicked mix of vibes that range from Head
Nod Boom Bap to Funky Jazz with a glass and a half of Golden Era, a nice mix of
Guitar, piano, keys and percussion with samples and breaks galore and a pinch
of scratching. Add to that drops from Oxygen, Chucky Smash, Breakbeat Lou, Mr
Supreme, Mr Walt, J-Zone, Forrest Getum Gump, Kool Kim, Dooley-O and Skeme
Richards and you will definitely not stop moving to this one even to flip it
over.
Side B draws you in from an initial laid-back vibe building
you up to another dope mix of head nod, poundingand funk fuelled beats mixed with a host of
horns, guitar, jazzy keys, samples and even dipping into some big band vibes at
times and keeping that sprinkling of scratching to spice it up. Shouts on this
side come from DJ Nu-Mark, K-Def, Lewis Parker, U George, Gensu Dean, Johnny
Juice, Audessey, Boogie Blind, Danny Dan the Beat Man and Phill Most Chill.
Overall, these two sides bring you the essence what it is to
produce music from the SP-1200 and exactly what you can do with those beats. It
is almost impossible to pick this apart and describe exactly what you can hear,
it’s like a Hip Hop meditative experience that takes you into an altered state
where moving and grooving to the beat is both mandatory and optional. It is
like a three step experience for each side, you start of just feeling it and
knowing you want to feel this, by the 10 minute mark you are into it, at 20 mins
you are losing yourself to beat and by the end you are simply a part of it.
There is not one era of music you can pick out from this and
you just don’t need to. The flow of each side is impeccable and seamless. It
keeps you focused, drawing you into a powerful experience of what is a
masterpiece of in tune and on time. 60 Raw Ones is a demonstration of the one
true era of real Hip Hop music and what that core essence of that music is to
those who grew up and felt that vibe evolve. I truly believe that the ride
you get from this release will be different depending on you own personal
tastes because what 60 Raw Ones does is to have a vibe that will merge and
adapt to the ears of the listener. If you don’t believe me, give it a listen
and see for yourself.
This really is a credit to the pedigree of Mac McRaw as a
DJ/Producer. To take 60 raw beats and to craft, from that, such a highly
listenable end product is just quality. Any one of those individual beats could
have made an individual classic track but, here we are treated to an out and
out masterclass of production and a fitting tribute to the SP-1200.
60 Raw Ones is released by AE Productions with design by Mr
Krum and Logo by Richie Phoe.
Masks of the Morning Sun is the debut solo album from
Nottingham emcee Frisco Boogie. He has been releasing projects since 1993 which
have either been solo or as one half of the duo Lost Island (Son Records).
The album displays the fact that Frisco Boogie as
multi-talented when it comes to his music as he produces, writes, and arranges
everything except the contributions by the guest artists. He has also spared no
expense here dropping an album that is a full 18 tracks deep.
With that in mind, let’s straight into it:
The album kicks off with Sonrise, the piano and
violin give this track a very haunting vibe and that feel is matched by
Frisco’s lyrics that look at music, the world and the self, and the search
light among the darkness. The second single taken from the album is Jailbird,
the laid-back percussion vibe gives the track a more uplifting vibe for subject
that looks at being caught in the cell of your own mind and the realisation
that it sometimes easier to want to escape than it actually is to escape those
confines. Jazzy horns and a head nod beat pull you into Another All Nighter,
here Frisco looks at burning the candle at both ends just to keep the bills
paid and a roof over your head. The soulful chorus adds that dreamy half-asleep
feel to the track, something many of us know only too well. Rise & Shine
is short skit that acts as a aural pallet cleanser and features the soulful
voice of Mr Go Get Yours.
4EVA brings that boom bap vibe with a chilled
orchestral element which is the perfect backdrop for a track that looks at the
one special person in your live and what makes her the one. Keeping it real
life a stunning piano vibe and a beautiful chorus takes us into a deeply
personal look at the loss of your mother on Broken Skies, the struggles
and the pain of an experience that life cannot prepare you for and the ultimate
realisation of how we grow from that. Switching it up here with the heavy hard
vibe of 60 Seconds which is all about having one last minute and what
you would do with that minute. Time to kick back for a few minutes with the
first single from the album, Wonders featuring G. Geroso. This chilled
out track takes a look at the many different wonders that have and still do exist
all around us and they affect us and the soulful chorus just adds to that
feeling that there are so many wonders out there big or small.
The piano heavy vibe of Graveyard of Guns brings a
deeply thoughtful vibe as Frisco Boogie looks at gun violence in a different
light. Guns are and have been used by many different people for many different
reasons, good or bad for personal or political reasons but, whatever the reason
they are used to take a life, human or animal but, the question is do the guns
rest in peace? A melodic piano over a heavy pounding beat is the stage for
Frisco on Spare Change, a track looking at homelessness and how money,
something that has no actual value itself, causes so much misery for so many. Frozen
Flames drops with a deep moody string laced vibe. A short track which looks
at the fact that if you want the rewards you must put the work in, because
without it you won’t go anywhere. Choral voices ease us into the head nod vibe
of Who Do You See? This one seems to look at how people around you only
judge you for your looks and actions and rarely choose to know who you really
are behind the external. A heavy beat , horns, electronic keys and a healthy
dose of cuts is a wicked back drop for Getting’ Up, which is all about
graffiti and getting your name up.
Iconz features TWR DVN, J Littles and Shortee Blitz
and looks at the challenges of being a name in the game and looking at those we
have lost. A solid banger with some uplifting string elements carries you along
as you remember those names and the inspiration they brought. Time to take a
moment out with the laid-back piano heavy vibe of Be Thankful, a short
track with Frisco inviting you take a moment just to remember the things your
truly thankful for. You OK Now? is a head nod beat with a piano element
running through. Another deeply personal track looking back and remembering
after the loss of his father. Way Back keeps the vibe of reminiscing
going, as Frisco takes us back to the days of way back, growing up, over an
upbeat banger with piano and flute elements. Taking us out of the album is 47
Summers which features Kam Rahmoun. This has a more modern trap kinda vibe
to it. A laid-back piano heavy vibe guides you on an other personal journey
looking back over internal struggles and how it challenges those around you,
how they see you and the ultimate outcome when you wake up and change your life
around.
There is no doubt that this album is one of those that takes
a long hard look at life and the personal experiences of the artist. For me,
this kind of deeply personal journey is important in these current times. They
can be helpful both to the artist and the listeners. Here you have an
experienced artist pouring their heart and soul into a musical journey through
some of their rawest emotional experiences. There are so many moments across
the album where it oozes emotion which, in itself, must be cathartic. For the
listener they get this deeply emotional journeywhich may help see that there maybe things they are experiencing
themselves in their own lives which they now realise they are not alone in
dealing with and it may help them take their first step toward a brighter
future. I felt there was a deeper message here that no matter who you are and
what mask you chose to wear for the world to see, it is important to remember
that you are not alone and there are those out there who will listen so, don’t
be afraid to speak out.
For me, there was nothing I didn’t enjoy about this album. The
production was excellent, verbally it ticked all the boxes, showed superb
wordplay and a desire to have every word understood. The whole album flowed
well from start to finish and there wasn’t anything that felt like it was put
there just to make up the numbers. The subjects tackled were diverse and showed
a strong character not afraid to open his heart.
Overall, Masks of the Morning Son is a solid and strong
debut solo album. There are elements that are deep, emotional, and uplifting
that so many will find enjoyable but, at the same time be able to associate
with on a host of different levels.
Masks of the Morning Son is available to buy and stream now.
Huge thanks to Frisco Boogie for sending this to me.
The date of 25th September 2020 was a
ground-breaking day the Hip Hop Music and saw the release four huge albums. One
of those albums was from 4 x Platinum and two-time Grammy award winning group
Arrested Development with their latest release Don’t Fight Your Demons.
The group have championed empowerment and consciousness
within the Hip Hop culture since their debut back in 1991. Using a diverse
range of sounds and styles from African rhythms, classic Hip Hop beats and
tribal vibes has continued to contrast how many see Hip Hop music. Over the years
their unique style and sound may well have divided the fans and they might not
be as much in the limelight as they once were but, AD and frontman Speech have
still been releasing material with that unique vibe and the same conscious
message.
Don’t Fight Your Demons, is been executively produced
by Speech (Vagabond Productions) and Configa (Configaration Records) and
features production from AD’s Speech, Configa, Cris Acosta and MRK SX. The
album also features a host of guest artists. So, I’d just like to get straight
into album track by track and give you my thoughts and feelings.
The album opens with the heavy pounding boombap vibe of Back
Down produced by AD’s own Cris Acosta. One for everyone here that see’s
Speech look deep at the state of how black people are negatively promoted in
the mainstream media and the need for more conscious thought to be put forward
in music. Moses takes us on a more soulful vibe with an underlying,
almost trap style, cymbal giving it a slightly modern edge to the sound from
Cris Acosta. Here we get Speech reminiscing on his life, career and what it is
to receive and give respect being free as you walk life’s path. Speech takes
over the production reigns for Amazing to which he brings a jazzy vibe
which is soon joined by a banging head nod beat. The message here is the
evolution of the mind to combat the racism and disrespect in society. Up next
is the first single to be released from the album. Becoming is the first
track produced by Configa and opens with choral singing and funky mix of bass
guitar, cymbal and tambourine which is joined by a proper head nod beat funked
out piano. An upbeat vibe that takes us on a trip through visons of growing up
with domestic violence, crime, and prison to switching your focus to the
positive vibes of family, love and creating your own story on your own journey.
Young Americans eases in with Speech’s production
bringing a laid-back mariachi guitar vibe, providing a nice backdrop for the
track focusing on the struggles faced by many young people from ethnic
minorities growing up in America. Configa returns with another head nod vibe on
The Same People, the guitar vibe running through it brings an almost
eastern European feel to the track. The Same People explores the role of
capitalism in our societies, where money is king and sickness is big business
and speech is joined by Skyy High, Kuf Knots and Christine Elise to open your
eyes to what is going on. In a society where image is everything the Do or
Die Mantra explores the fact that times are so tough for so many there is
very much a do or die mind state to make ends meet. Configa provides a soulful
boombap style groove as the platform for this one. Moving in to Sunset in
Ghana Configa feels our ears with an easy listening tribal vibe with a
soulful guitar that is the perfect canvas for AD to be joined by O’hene Savànt
and Rambo to paint this aural picture of what it is to have that link between
where you are to where you roots lie and that can be your personal roots, your
family roots or even your ethnic roots. Play with Fire brings a
multi-layered production from Speech that fills you with Electronic, Ragga
fusion and features Let The Dirt Say Amen and Fro Magnum Man. This one takes us
through life experiences and that to learn the lessons we need in life, we do
sometimes have to get burned by the risks we take and no matter the out come we
grow and spiritually evolve from all those experiences.
For Ecclesiastes Speech brings a more laid back vibe
of electronic, percussion and piano elements with a dreamy slide guitar
carrying us along on a look at how others, even within our families, will often
allow their own narrow minded views to impact how they talk and attempt to lead
those around them. The title comes from the Old Testament and has several
meanings, one being a book of teachings and this brought a lot to mind as I
listened and considered experiences on life and the opinions of others always
have great influence on us as we grow and move through life. There is a far
more modern vibe coming through on the production from MRK SX (who also
features on the track) for Pardon You For Disrupting. A laid-back track
this one looks at the deeply personal struggles so many of us go through and
something I can personally relate to. So many times, these struggles cause us
to miss so many important experiences. Time to take it more upbeat as Cris Acosta
returns to bring a more electronic dance vibe with some soulful piano as
together we Journey On, and life is a journey in so many ways. There are
so many elements or facets to life as we walk its path and we are always moving
forward and seeking to create a better future. We’ll See had a vibe that
instantly made me think of Prince (R.I.P) it just seemed to have an essence of
his musical influence on Cris Acosta's production here. The track speaks of how we look at things
as we grow and how things actually turn out as our experiences change. We may
think things have not gone the way we expected but, in truth things are exactly
how they should be and we just need to be at peace with it.
We now move into two remixes of the track Amazing.
Both remixes come from Configa and demonstrate the power of how you can take
the vocals and produce difference sounds and vibes that can make one track
instantly more appealing to a much wider audience whilst still keeping the
original message. Producers from many influences have been doing this for years
and it is so refreshing to see it demonstrated here. The first is the Configa
Higher Level Remix and gives us a pounding dance vibe, mixing up influences
and cuts to form a highly listenable version that will appeal to many and be at
home in the clubs as well as in the car. Next up is the Configa Gutter Remix
brings are far more street vibe to the track with a more heavy, gritty feel
that takes as much inspiration from modern street music as it does from the
more traditional Hip Hop vibes.
Time to move into the final track of the album, The
Forsaken. Here Configa gives us a funk fuelled delight of beats, guitar,
and strings so, you gonna be moving to this one for sure. This upbeat track
looks at some of those moments where people are overlooked or forsaken for
whatever reason. Not getting the recognition you deserve or being thank
advantage of can fuel us to do many things, we can go the negative way or let
it become just another rung on the ladder as we climb higher.
Overall, the roots of this album might stand in Hip Hop but,
Arrested Development and Configa have crafted something that has multiple
levels of appeal. There is a plethora of musical influences here that make this
album a pleasure to listen to. Now, I am under no illusions that it might not
appeal to everyone but, you could say that about any release from any genre. But
I honestly believe Arrested Development deserve a lot of credit for this album.
The subjects that are explored on this album are those that
are impacting the lives of all of us on a daily basis. The challenging times we
are currently living in have seen the impact of Racism, capitalism, mental health,
and many levels of violence touch our lives deeply. We have seen debates rage
across the globe on social media it has opened our eyes to how those around us
see the world and we have not always liked what we have seen. An album like Don’t
Fight Your Demons speaks on many of these subjects in a way that is
universally understood. Music is a universal language, regardless of the genre
you enjoy the words you hear or the energy, vibration and frequency of the
music that you feel, we all enjoy music and music can and does carry important
messages to everyone. From the age old tribal drums and rhythms to the modern
day music that grew from it, if those creating the music have a connection to
what they say and that connection fuels emotions, then that emotion can and
will be felt by the listener and that comes across perfectly in this album.
The album was a pleasure to listen to start to finish. I’m
not always a fan of some of the more modern musical vibes, such as trap or
grime but, I would not skip a track on this album. The flow from track to track
works exactly as it needs to and allows the listener a perfect flow without too many peaks and troughs creating a rollercoaster effect of energy. The production from all involved is top notch
all round and weaves in the various musical influences in such a way as to create a
wealth of audible soundscapes for the listener to enjoy, add to that the depth
of lyrical content from Speech and the other guest artist's and you have perfectly crafted expression of conscious
revolutionary Hip Hop that truly does bring a whole host of social issues to bear
and more than hints at the fact that change, on a global scale, is what is needed if we are to truly unite as one people with one understanding.
One last thing I would like to add is this, if you
look at the title, Don’t Fight Your Demons, and really think about it there is so much you can get from those few words. It is
not about fighting, it is about learning and spreading the knowledge to reach
and teach others. If we pass on what we learn, pay it forward if you will, then
real change can be achieved in our lifetime.
I have always enjoyed the music of Arrested Development,
even those tracks many felt were not that strong, perhaps I just connected on
that deeper vibe? I recommend you check this one out and make up your own mind.
Huge thank you to Configa for sending this to me.
Don’t Fight Your Demons is available now to buy and to
stream from all platforms, check the links below and don't forget to connect on social media too.
