Album Review: Mountain Dreams by Mic Mountain Prod. by SeenDaDream

 

Mountain Dreams

By

Mic Mountain X SeenDaDREAM

 

Back in April this year I dropped a review of Triple Piraguaby Mic Mountain. Now I have the pleasure to bring you the next album from the Washington based emcee. Mountain Dreams was originally released on March 7^th, the album is produced by SeenDaDream and features appearances from AA Rashid (who also does the artwork for the album), Thirstin Howl the 3^rd, Isis Aset, Oba Olff, and Bri Bri, with all cuts coming from Mr Scratch Hook

The album also has a theme which is worth noting here as you follow the narrative of the album, “a visionary hip-hop journey, weaving together a sequence of prophetic dreams from one fateful night long ago. Each track unfolds as a chapter in this vivid narrative, blending storytelling and lyrical artistry”.

With that said, I don’t want to keep you hanging around, so let’s dive into this album…

 

Strings, horns and a heavy drum beat form the backdrop to the intro, immediately getting your head nodding. AA Rashid features here, bringing us the Intro, giving us his thoughts on Mic Mountain and where he see’s the future for him. The intro does not really set the seen for us on what’s coming but, it kind of prepares us, allowing us to sit back and get comfortable.

The album kicks off with Come Back Home which continues the head nod vibe with more strings, vocal samples and drumbeat, giving us this solid sound but, with those strings adding a sound that just draws us away from our current reality. As we are draw into this Hip Hop dreamscape, Mic mountain brings us the first chapter, An overview of life and what a day might bring as it unfolds. AA Rashid returns for Da Jungle pt 2 (Interlude), guitar and a more chilled drumbeat keep us focused on the lyrics as AA Rashid gives us thoughts on the heard mentality and the power the heard has if they chose to focus their combined energy in one direction. This thought sets the seen for Da Jungle pt 2, the beat here that has cuts, keys and drums, that all come together to bring an upbeat sound that ramps up the adrenaline levels. This one looks at harsh realities of life on the streets but, here in dreamland we swap the concrete jungle for the true jungle habitat, a place where we see the threats of streets transformed into the animals and dangers that about in a place where you might find yourself out of place, and at the same time aware of the what those who are native to this place, experience on a daily basis. It might not be pretty but, it is home. Drums, guitars, and cuts are the foundation for Snakes, this sound has a mariachi vibe to it, and that story telling vibe fits so well here as Mic Mountain speaks on those snakes who hide in the jungle, but these snakes are the ones who might appear to be your friend or acquaintance, but in reality, are there to strike when you least expect it. Beware of those around you as you never know which ones might be the snakes.

From the jungle, our backdrop shifts to the desert and a Desert Sunrise (Interlude). Drums, cymbals, and guitars bring us another mariachi vibe, but this time the sound is more laid-back. This is more of an extended interlude that is a look at the story of the Mountain Dreams album from an interview. This is almost like a break in your dream where you briefly wake and blink, wondering where you have just been, before rolling over and going back to sleep…

Tornado Warning takes us back into dreamland in a big way with a heavy beat that is underpinned with piano vibes. Your head starts nodding and you realise that this is no ordinary tornado, this is a tumultuous situation that comes from the strength of the lyricism and the fact that there are no punches pulled here with a graphic look at world around Mic Mountain. Thirstin Howl the 3^rd joins Mic Mountain for Midnight Oil, where piano notes take the forefront on the beat, giving this one a deeper edge that seems made for the dark streets. Here we are treated to slick display of wordplay, similes, and metaphors as the streets are transformed into a nightmarish world where you fears come at you in many different forms.

Just as with any dream you are often dragged into an alternate reality, opposed to where you just were and that is what happens with WrestleMania Entrance Music. The Macho Man brings us into this one to a heavy sound that is heavy on the guitars, but with a beat that gets your head nodding along with more Wrestling name drops than elbows in the ring. OHH YEAH!!! This one is all about the new tag team duo of Mic Mountain and SeenDaDream, and it’s time for them to enter the scene.

French Arab Joint flips things once more back into another dreamscape. Here we are backed by slick beat that is backed by xylophone notes, guitars, and keys, with vocal samples that bring a real surreal feal to things. Wordplay abounds here in a way that takes us to more places like mixing THC into our dream journey, yeah that just happened. Still reeling from that last aspect of the dream journey, Indian Boy brings another mind-bending sound that has native American edge to it with a mix of drums, strings and keys. This one seems to relate to Mic Mountains native American heritage and how that mixes with their history, treatment in America, and how their heritage has so many prophetic aspects that relate to what is happening in the world around us. Isis Aset now joins Mic Mountain on Smokin Da La La, the beat has a very chilled vibe to it, created by the drums, guitars, and keys. This one looks at their experiences of smoking the bud and how it affects them but, also has the effect of relaxing them and taking the focus away from negative aspects of the world around them. Horns and chimes draw us into Just Like Heaven, before a classic beat drops in. This sound gives us a vibe that has an emotive edge to it, which fits perfectly with the lyrics. Mic Mountain speaks openly on the love he has for his wife, but this is more than just a love song, it is an expression of what love is, what it means, and how it truly touches us on so many levels in the time we spend with that special someone.

Summer Time Joyride finds Mic Mountain and SeenDaDream taking us on a trip in a new ride. The beat has that summertime upbeat vibe that makes you wanna turn up the sound and wind down the windows. This one has all the hallmarks of that summer soundtrack vibe, so listen in and drift of into the sunset with this one. Time for another break with the Mountain Dreams (Interlude) which features Oba Olff. The drums, bass, and keys give this one an air of contemplation about it. The message in this one is about the traits that people can have. This one speaks to me as I very much intuit the music when I am writing and so it is important to listen to those little ways that speak to you. Find what best works for you and trust in it, let it guide you in life. As we think on that short interlude, its time for the title track of the album, Mountain Dreams. Get your head nodding to this one as the drums get you moving and the strings, in the background, keeps you floating along. Here we find Mic Mountain relating a dream to us; this is emotive moment as it speaks to us on the deep and prophetic nature that dreams can have, in fact, all dreams have that nature, it is just up to us to find what each one means to us, because our dreams are as individual as we are and it is the content, people and situations within that can say so much to us, as strange as they might seem at times. With that thought still in mind, AA Rashid returns to take us out of the album with the Outro. The beat thumps once more, the piano notes bring an edge that just holds our attention for the lyrics. AA Rashid brings us a positive message to end the album, assuring us that we are doing well and all is good. To end the album with this positive message is truly uplifting and that is just what we need right now…

 

What is really apparent here is that, if we take into context that is all set in a dream world, then there is a lot that you can read into this. In fact, you might find that you get something different every time you listen. If you were to write your dreams down, then every time you go back and read that, it would speak to you in different ways, depending on your situation at the time of the dream, or the situation you were in when you next read about that dream, and listening to this album is likely to be just like that.

Dreams are very prophetic, even though they might seem like a random collection of weird symbolism that has no real relationship to anything in our lives. But the more to consider different aspects of that symbolism and combine it with the people and settings, you might begin to understand the meaning. Mountain Dreams is very much like that, as you listen through the album, it might seem like these are just random tracks with intelligent lyricism. Yes, they might have individual meaning but, don’t have any kind of relationship to each other.

However, the flow of the album is like a river that makes its way across different terrain and differing scenic displays but ultimately reaching the same destination. That river flows the same way in different seasons, different weather conditions. There will be subtle changes along the way, over time, but the end is always the same. So, consider this when listen to the album, you might interpret it different to me, but then you are supposed to as you are not me, and I am not you.

Overall, Mountain Dreams sees Mic Mountain and SeenDaDream bring us a solid Hip Hop album with intelligent and creative wordplay that is matched by the kind of production that has the heart and soul of Hip Hop at its core. But, add to that the depth of Mic Mountains personal experience here and you get an album that hits on many levels, inviting you to think and feel things you might expect with a Hip Hop sound. But you can bump this one in the car with the windows down and volume up or, you can sit back, chill out and let it soak into your awareness in the comfort of your own home. All I suggest is that you let it flow as was intended, from start to finish, no stopping, no skipping, just let it flow…

My huge that’s to Mic Mountain for allowing me to bring this one to you and having that faith in the intuitive nature of my words.

 

Mountain Dreams is out now.

 

I’ll see ya next time,

Peace Out,

Steve.

LINKS

Get your copy from Bandcamp Here:

https://micmountain.bandcamp.com/album/mountain-dreams

Mic Mountain Official Website:

https://micmountain.com/

Official Brand Website:

https://triplepiragua.com/

Mic Mountain Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091789921827

https://www.instagram.com/therealmicmountain/

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

SeenDaDREAM on Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/seendadream/

SeenDaDREAM on Bandcamp:

https://chromeinfantry.bandcamp.com/music

VIDEOS

Mountain Dreams ft Bri Bri

WrestleMania Entrance Music

Smokin Da La La ft Isis Aset

Midnight Oil ft Thirstin Howl the 3rd

Album Review: HOUSES by CAPPO

 

Houses

By

Cappo

 

Houses is the second chapter in the CAPstone trilogy from Cappo. It was back in September of 2024 that I was able to bring you my take on the first of the trilogy, S.T.A.R.V.E. Which was an incredibly deep album focusing on isolation and the struggles that we so often face. Houses is set some twenty years after where S.T.A.R.V.E. was set and brings us more up to date in that it focus is our modern day society.

Released through Plague, the albums promo has been stepped up to match the fact that Houses brings a narrative that is directly opposite to its predecessor. The focus here is to look more at ideas based on The Divine Social, such as the importance of human interaction, belonging, and tribal responsibility. There are also a wealth of themes built into the album which include race and class, fatherhood, the paternal bond, masculinity, mortality, and sexual desire.

The album follows a day-in-the-life narrative of a fictional working-class father of two (known as P) in contemporary Nottingham, England, as he struggles to come to terms with the societal restrictions, conformities, and benefits of fatherhood.

Houses comes with an extended press release, in the form of a Plague Tax Letter and a collaborative Modernist style Zine which features submissions from the likes of Thomas ‘Juga-naut’ Higgins, Esther Koch, and Dr Ramisha Rafique among others. This Zine and what you will read within, reflect the overall sentiment of the album; the singular product of a combination of minds, forming what is ultimately a sense of hope. The vinyl package also contains a booklet which contains an Annotated track list, this expands on the narrative behind each track and how it relates to the classic literature of the likes of Ulysses, The Odyssey and Hamlet. I will draw on some of this as I go through the album but, will not go into how it relates to the classic literature, but leave that for you to discover.

Houses is written and produced by Cappo, except for production by Sam Zircon on Lyfe, HMRC, Unborn Seed, Sessy Lu, SPRT LVLS and While You Sleep. The album was recorded by 1stBlood, mixed and mastered by Irn Mnky, and comes with design and layout from Rich Brown (Bee Graphics).

There is a lot to take in with that intro But, now you have got this far, its time to join me as I take you through the album, on a walk through Houses…

 

The album begins with Ghosts, a track that bridges S.T.A.R.V.E. and HOUSES, it reflects on how P resolves his inner tensions regarding his father’s suicide and how he overcame his own suicidal mind state at the conclusion of S.T.A.R.V.E., setting the stage for the narrative in Houses. The sound here has a suitably emotive edge with piano notes taking the forefront and the drums remaining sparse. The focus is on the lyrics here and Cappo, once again, brings P alive in our minds and we listen intently as he details the deep emotional feeling that have brought him to where he is now but, as we listen, it is obvious that there is a more upbeat vibe that becomes apparent towards the end of the track.

The narrative of Houses begins in earnest with Lyfe that explores the chaotic morning routine of P’s working-class household. Keys, drums, and electronic elements form the basis of track, bringing a sound that seems sparse but, at the same time, has an edge that tests the nerves, just as any frantic morning might do. Here P is laying awake musing on life before things take a more chaotic turn and its time to leave the bed and deal with the first part of the day and what that brings. This is something that so many of can easily relate to and how it rarely prepares us for the rest of the day to come. As P’s day continues, he engages in tidying his children’s bedroom before receiving a letter from HMRC. A letter which indicates the family have overpaid their council tax and creates a pivotal point which also heralds things to come. Sam Zircon’s production creates an upbeat sound that brings a romantic edge to things, reflecting the feelings you have on receiving a letter like this.  We get the feeling that this, for P, this is more than just the ecstatic relief of knowing you have money coming back to you, there is a depth to his feelings for this that seem to go beyond relief. Neutral takes us to where P has spoken to his wife regarding the money that is coming back to them but, finds him musing on the differences they have on what to do with the money and how this represents the emotional distance between them, rather than drawing them closer. There is a contrast between the elements of the track here where the piano creates the calmer vibe, while the other element has this opposing sound, this really does show how there are two opposing views within the dynamic between P and his wife. The lyrics really bring those opposing views into reality with P being the more frugal one, while his wife is tempted to be more spontaneous and treat the family.

Whereas the previous four tracks have taken place in the Morning, it is now the afternoon, and we find P attending the Funeral of an unnamed acquaintance. While there his mind drifts to thoughts of death, morality, and the paternal bond. The drumbeat takes the forefront here, while the piano elements create a jazzy undertone to the track. As we listen to the words, it is clear that less is more, with fewer words creating a deep awareness of these moments and how they make us question our own mortality, death, and the love we have for those closest to us. At the end of the day, it’s not always how much you say on a subject but, what you say and how you say it. Unborn Seed finds P continuing to think on morality and death, which in this instance, relates to a recent miscarriage. Here organ notes carry us along while the sparce drumbeat and cymbals seem to reflect the painful intrusive thoughts. As we listen to P’s thoughts on a tragic loss, not to mention those that came at the end of the track in Spanish, it can easily take you to thoughts of your own on such a trauma, especially if you have experienced something like this in your life, as I have. A trauma such as this causes you, in this case as the father, to think over and question so much about life around you. In this case it brings P’s superstitious beliefs to the forefront and his struggles with life’s uncertainties.

In the aftermath of this funeral, We Will? Finds P questioning his life path after contemplating so much. Here, the beat is heavier while the cymbals and vocal sample of ‘will we’ creates this vibe in your mind that easily reflects the conflict inside when seriously questioning all that you know, while standing at a crossroads in life. The lyrics speak so deeply on P’s constant questioning of his position of proving for his family, and whether he should set himself ‘free’ and leave everything he has, behind. Sessy Lu finds P on his way home from the funeral, still reflecting and contemplating, debating all the pros and cons of his situation, even if it is of his own making or not?  Musically, this one has a deep sound with a heavy beat, but the background has an almost hypnotic edge to it, drawing you in to the words being spoken. We are drawn into P’s thoughts as he wonders what to do but, we feel his desire to find a way away from what is around him. This comes to a head as P’s desires take him down the path of considering an affair with a local single mother named Sessy Lu. These thoughts, in themselves, open up a pandora’s box of what that would mean for him and his family life. P ultimately decides to relieve these desires himself, testing whether he is thinking with a clear mind or just with his dick. P’s internal struggles with his thoughts and desires for infidelity are further explored in Undigested Sweetcorn. The beat here is pounding, incorporating elements of Slow and Low at the start, and further backed by a sound that seems to continue the almost hypnotic edge before switching out at the end as we follow P. As the words flow though our minds and we follow P and his internal struggles; we find that he is doing his upmost to avoid this affair rather than risk his marriage. As we know from the final lines of the previous track, Sessy Lu, he has chosen to relieve himself when he arrives home.

It is time to move into the Evening of P’s day with Forces. Here P is now in a better frame of mind having relieved himself of carnal desires that had treated to overtake him. This has given him time to think and to make his ultimate decision to live as freely and independently as possible by leaving his family. There is this music box kind of sound that carries us through the track with only a few hints of drums dropping in at particular points. We follow P and his thoughts on making his ultimate decision, knowing that his current decision is not serving who he is or his family. To be a better man he knows that he has to find his true self; and that means needing to leave behind the life he currently knows. In the end it may be the best for all involved. In SPRT LVLS we find P out on his first night as a ‘free man’, getting drunk and high before his evening turns sour; while attempting to speak to a woman, P is caught up in a bar brawl between rival gangs. The piano and sparce drums create a dark edge to the sound, something that reflects the situation that is about to unfold. The vocals skilfully describe how P initially see’s his evening being everything he was expecting being a ‘free man’, but all to soon it turns into a nightmare. With P experiencing the violence of Nottingham’s underbelly, Solitaire finds him quickly realising that his decision was ill conceived. The beat here has the feeling of a full on banger of a beat with piano notes giving it a brighter edge. P quickly realises that the secure family unit is far more appealing to him than the ‘free man’ life initially seemed to be. Swallowing his pride, P makes it his mission in life to do all he can for his family, realising that having a small part od something is far better than having all of nothing.

With the penultimate track of the album, we move into the Night of our day with P. Lay Your Head Down sees P arriving home and attempting to resolve his relationship. The mood is set nicely by the heavy beat and the contrasting guitar and keys, creating a calming sound that perfectly mirrors the emotive nature of the events that are unfolding. Here, we see P talking and seducing his partner, reflecting on events and also on his relationship with his daughter, a vision that creates a lot of emotion if you chose to let it in. Houses ends with While You Sleep where the bass and piano brings brighter, emotional vibe; something that works perfectly and the sound scape for the track. Before sleeping himself, P checks in on his sleeping son, his thoughts are the perfect celebration of the father-son bond. There is a depth and emotion to the words that any real father with understand and something that brings the album full circle; especially when we consider that beginning of the album and where P has come from and his experience with his own father.

There is little doubt that Houses, if you look at it on its own merit, is an incredible piece of work, and something that has been conceived by a true artist. Houses follows one mans trials and tribulations as he attempts to understand and come to terms with his own mortality and what being a true father means. The album might take place across one linear day but, it could have taken place across days, weeks or even months. It takes the listener on a truly deep journey through one person’s journey but, that journey could quite easily be one that any one of us has taken in their life.

I can associate with many of the themes encompassed in the album. I have lost a loved one to suicide, know of suicide ideation, and have experienced an actual family break-up, being estranged from my own children; I also know the struggles with mental health than come along with these traumas and more. It is this kind of relatability that adds extra depth to the album as it helps you to draw on your own lived experiences and the connected emotions.

Lyrically this one is an album that really needs to be listened to. I’m not saying that you can’t just bung in on in the car, but to truly experience every word, bar, and metaphor, you need to take time with this one and digest everything that is said because, the wordplay is the only thing that sees this one set the bat on a whole new level.

Cappo delivers a truly epic piece of work here, both production wise (not forgetting the production from Sam Zircon too, who brings his own mastery to the proceedings) and lyrically, but deeper than that when you take into account how he uses the relationship of the individual tracks to those classic written masterpiece’s, Houses does become something truly different.

Now, I’m not suggesting that to understand Houses, you need to go out and read these epic books, as the album insert booklet does help you to understand parts however, if you chose to do that, it can only elevate your understanding. But what I do suggest is you give Houses the time it deserves, let it in and truly understand what it says because it goes deeper than I can really explain in these words.

Overall, Houses is a masterpiece of Hip Hop story telling; it encompasses a number of musical influences but, also has that added literary influence and connection that elevates it a new level of Hip Hop music, in fact, it might have defined a new genre and a whole new level of what is possible when you merge Hip Hop with a different level of technical and intellectual skill.

If I’m honest, I don’t know if my words can really do justice to just how good Houses is, because it hits so deeply on so many levels. So, I’m gonna leave it there because, I could go on for pages about the album but, in truth you just need to go and listen, truly listen to it.

My humble thanks to Dan at Plague for the chance to experience this album and to help in bringing you my words. I also need to thank Dan and Cappo for the amazing information contained in this which helped the review process no end.

Enjoy this one and I’ll see you next time.

One Love,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy from Bandcamp:

https://plague11.bandcamp.com/album/houses

Cappo Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/kafka_poe_murakami/

Plague Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/plague_11/

https://www.facebook.com/plague11

 

 

 

 

EP Review: Rising Sun EP by Blaktrix & Relense

 

Rising Sun EP

By

Blaktrix and Relense

 

This week I welcome Cardiff’s Blaktrix back to the blog who teams up with Brighton based producer Relense (who has also featured on the blog before) to bring us the Rising Sun EP.

The promo I received for this EP promises that it to be a dark, reflective, and unapologetically different 3-track EP by two artists that are clearly in the zone right now. Atmospheric, dark introspective beats expertly crafted by Relense meet Blaktrix signature rhyme style that as he says 'lets it all out and lays the art' combine to create a 3 track EP you can listen to as one.

With that on my mind, I’m not gonna mess about here but get straight into it.

We kick things off with the title track Rising Sun. Relense gives us a beat which is almost softened into the background by keys and double bass notes, giving this one a deep vibe that you can’t help but, subtly nod your head to. With this one, Blaktrix uses his skilful word play to bounce us between lines that have a more political edge and those where the vibe has a far more personal feel. There is a depth here that seems to transport you beyond those political and personal aspects; giving you a vision in your mind that makes you see that no matter the darkness that you see around you, there is always a way to bring the light and raise the energies to a more positive level.

Next up is Say My Name, where Relense brings a beat where the drums are sparce but, still carries you along while the strings and bass merge to create this atmospheric air that gives you a laid-back edge bringing focus to the vocals. Blaktrix gives us words that speak on his love of the craft and the aplomb with which he delivers every word, line and bar. This is telling it like it is, without the braggadocio, and who are we to disagree; at the end of the day, it’s not about the names you can drop the realness in the words that you do say…

The EP rounds off with Soul Blade and Relense brings a beat that raises the adrenaline levels with a heavier sound. The drums boom and the strings and guitars produce a sound that you feel throughout your entire body. Blaktrix goes in hard on AI and the idea that we could be living in a simulated reality where nothing is as it appears and most of earth’s inhabitants are asleep to what is truly happening around them but, it is looking deep within and finding your own Soul Blade that can help you break free of this false reality, and see the true reality in which you exist.

 

What is instantly apparent when listening to this is the fact that you can really relate to everything that is said here and the deep vibes created by each track. Be it seeking the light from the darkness and creating your own light when you unite with another or seeing those who choose to drop big names instead of being truthful in the words they speak or breaking free of the false reality that is perpetrated by the media and the powers that be.

Relense brings some flawless production that instantly creates the perfect sound scapes for the words of Blaktrix. Each beat is fundamentally anchored in the Hip Hop sound but, he brings an atmospheric quality to each that allows to really immerse yourself into what you are hearing; and this is gives and extra depth to the skilful and intricate wordplay from Blaktrix.

Blaktrix gives these deep lyrics that seem almost too complex at times but, are also matter of fact in the message they deliver when you take the time to truly listen to what is being said. His voice has a quality and depth to it that makes you feel that what he bringing is personal view of what he sees around him, daily. But, at the same time, he could be speaking on the experiences of one of us at the same time.

Overall, the Rising Sun EP delivers deep and relatable content that is delivered in high quality, both musically and lyrically. Regardless of whether you are listening to this one as the sun sets, rises, or as the world passes you by in the car, you won’t be able to escape the messages within, and it will be one you will come back to time and again.

Big shout also goes out to the one Rola who mixed, mastered, and engineered the whole EP.

The Rising Sun EP is out everywhere from today.

Huge thanks to Blaktrix for giving me the chance to bring this one to you.  

I’ll see ya next time.

Peace Out.

Steve.

LINKS

Blaktrix on Bandcamp:

https://blaktrix.bandcamp.com/music

More from Blaktrix Here:

https://found.ee/blaktrix

Blaktrix Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/nk.blaktrix

https://www.instagram.com/blaktrix/

Relense on Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/re_lensed/

EP Review: Sound Library 2025 (Promo Vol. 1) by Daniel Niles

 

Sound Library 2025 (Promo Vol. 1)

By

Daniel Niles

 

Anyone who is a regular reader of the blog will be familiar with the Daniels work as I have featured his production on his instrumental album Carmen Suite (2021) and his work alongside Anyway Tha God on Allow God To Interject – Daniel Niles Remix (2021) and the single Mind Melt (2024).

This latest offering is limited edition cassette promo that features six remixes that Daniel has produced. The release is strictly limited to the cassette, with no plans to release them digitally. So, you might want to grab one of these while they are still out there…

Reviewing remix projects is always a challenge, especially if you are not familiar with all the tracks. So, as I want to give you my honest opinion here, I am going to do my best to check the original prior to reviewing the remix so that I can give you an idea of how they compare.

 

So, I’m gonna dive straight in with he first track, which is Best Stop Ya Crying. Now I do know this track as it featured on Daniels remix project for Anyway Tha God, Allow God To Interject. Now, I have not been able to find a copy of the original but, here is what I said about that 2021 remix from Daniel. The harmonica, piano, and drums on Best Stop Ya Crying creates a sound that seems to tug at your nerves a little and this whole track seemed to speak on how people react when things don’t go their way. It’s like the old saying, don’t cry over spilled milk or in our current society, don’t start complaining about the actions of a government that you voted for. Here Daniel brings a far funkier sound, with head nod drums, tambourine, other percussion sounds and this wickedly funky bass. All this mashes together to bring a sound that gets you moving; while at the same time not taking anything away for Anyway Tha God’s vocals which still have the same impact and as they did several years back.

The second track comes from Billie Splyff (aka Mista Spyce of The Brotherhood) and is Tek No Nonsense. Daniel produced the original of this track which featured on 2021’s Sorry For The Wait album. The original had a solid boom bap style beat alongside these organ notes that gave the whole thing a quite mind bending sound. For the remix, Daniel has kept the heavy drumbeat but, kept the mind bending sound with some keys and other sounds that does mess with your mind, just like the original. Billie Splyff takes no prisoners here as the track is all about, as the title suggests, taking no nonsense, whether it is from scene or those who object to smoking a certain plant. The wordplay reflects what the track is all about and this hot new remix is one that is likely to be on more that a few playlists, if you can grab a copy that is.

Up next, is another track that I know well and have reviewed; High Noon by Montener The Menace featuring Masta Ace, Rah Digga, Wordsworth and Fatlip, from the album Anyone Home (2021). My review of the original went like this: Montener the Menace has formed a rag tag group of Hip-Hop outlaws with Masta Ace, Rah Digga, Wordsworth (outlaws) and Fatlip (sheriff). Now the line may blur as to which side of the law they stand on, but they are gonna be letting off from all barrels or chambers on those who have the nerve to cross them, as they stand for oppressed against the oppressors. The straight up head nod beat laced with strings comes from Wounded Buffalo Beats and really is a track that is more than just a posse cut and could well be ‘The Symphony’ for a new era. For this new remix Daniel has gone for a solid head nod drumbeat, which this track demands, and has backed that with a bass note and a vocal sample that seems to have a middle eastern sound to it. This changes the tone of the track, which at first listen I was not sure worked but, the more I have listened, it has kinda grown on me. The vocals still hit as they did on the original but, here the remix almost gives the track a reflective edge, as if someone is reminiscing over an experience past.

Clear The Space by Noddegamra is one I am not familiar with and comes from the 2021 EP of the same name, which was originally recorded back in 2003 by Slough MC Noddegamra and producer Big Chill. In 2021 Daniel, who is the nephew of Big Chill (R.I.P.), rediscovered the original acapellas and remixed the eight track EP. That 2021 version is a proper boom bap track with horns, that gets your head nodding. The track focuses on Noddegamra bringing a bit of braggadocio on who he is and quality of his rap game. The wordplay is solid too and it really surprises me that this one seems to have gone over the heads of so many and deserves for attention, which could well happen with this remix. For this new remix Daniel gives the track a real heavy sound with a banger of a beat that ramps up the adrenaline levels and is, if I dare say it, one of the highlights here. Not only should this one make you want to seek out the EP and search for more from Noddegamra but, also Daniel does a cracking job of paying homage to his uncle ‘Big Chil’ who sadly passed away earlier this year, and I can’t think of a more poignant way for honouring someone’s memory than this.

The penultimate remix here comes in the form of the track The Phantasm Pt 2 from the album 7^th (2022). Daniel had originally been asked to do a remix for the 7^th Remix Edition but, when that remix didn’t quite make the final cut, he used the acapella to produce this new remix. The original was produced by 7^th Dan and has a solid drumbeat that is backed by piano giving the whole thing this sound you can’t help to vibe to while DSOTM create a track with cleaver lyrics and wordplay that you the idea you have just become embroiled in a living nightmare. Daniels new remix keeps that nightmare vibe with a heavy beat over bass, horns, and electronic sounds that grab your awareness and toy with your nerves once more.

The final remix here is Nile Flow from the DTN Collective featuring Who Dat and Billie Splyff. The DTN Collective (Dantian Collective) is comprised of KG-Chi, Mista-E, Zedi, AnyWay Tha God, and Ayem and the track Nile Flow comes from their album A.S.K.M. (2024). The original was produced by Daniel and features cuts from Sub One. That Original has a banging boom bap beat with keys and strings that all merged to give you a sound that got you moving while also testing your nerves. This one is a display of the emcee’s wordplay and lyrical prowess, one to sit back and enjoy, while the focus is on the words flowing effortlessly like water. For the brand new remix, Daniel brings a solid and heavy boom bap beat that gets you moving from the get-go. There is a synth sound here that gives this one a Carpenter style sound that only adds to the vibe of this one, taking nothing away from the vibe of the original but elevating it to another level.

 

What can I say overall about this one?

I have to say that I have always loved the art of the remix. I grew up in the 80’s when the remix was a huge thing, and you would buy 12” singles just to get various remixes. The remix can often change the vibe and sound of a track and there are times when a remix will work and times when it does not. I have to say I’m not a huge fan of more modern genre’s making remixes of older tracks, especially when it comes to DnB or EDM etc. However, what we get with Sound Library 2025 Promo Vol. 1 is a perfect display of how to do it properly. Here Daniel Niles takes six tracks, some of which he himself originally produced and some where he is bringing a whole new take on an original production. He skilfully brings a new sound to each track, either keeping the overall vibe of the original, or completely giving it a whole new sound that, while keeping the essence of the original tracks meaning, brings a new vibe that takes the meaning in a different direction.

Another thing to consider here is that the cassette comes with the vocal versions on the A-Side and the instrumental versions on the B-Side. As I have said many times before, having the instrumental version of a track is something that I always enjoy as a sound scape that is free of vocals can take you a million different places in your mind, and there is always the chance too that these instrumentals give you some inspiration for your own creative abilities. It’s well worth taking the time to check them out, in my humble opinion.

You can tell that Daniel has a great ear for the Hip Hop sound and has the production skills to bring new life and direction to tracks that you might be familiar with and those you might not be. This release is one of those rare underground gems that won’t be out there for all to own. Rare promo items can be among some of the most popular and expensive things to track down and I have no doubt that Sound Library 2025 Promo Vol. 1 has the potential to be one of those gems, in terms of Hip Hop music.

I suggest that if like collecting those rarities, then this one should be one you look to get hold of before they disappear and the price skyrockets.

Update, as I get this post ready to go live, I have just found out that these have sold out. Looks like you may just have take my word for it on the content...

Huge thanks to Daniel Niles for giving me the chance to bring you my take of this one.

I see you next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Here is the one link you need for Daniel Niles:

https://linktr.ee/Daniel_Niles

 

 Daniel Niles on Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/lordsupermalt/

 

Album Review: Salamander by Deeq x Farma G

 

Salamander

By

Deeq X Farma G

 

This week we have one of the latest releases from the UK label Gold On The Mixer and also sees the return of Deeq to the blog who I first featured way back in 2021 as part of Flooded Hallways alongside Nemrot. This time we find Deeq partnering with the legendary figure of Farma G (Task Force) to bring us the album Salamander.

Salamander sees Deeq taking on Vocal duties as well as recording and artwork, with Farma G providing the production. There are vocal features from EF Knows, Farma G, Evolucian, and FlowTecs, with the whole project mixed and mastered by Zatoichi’s Ears.

Released at the end of February this year, the album is ten tracks deep and has already seen the vinyl version sold out here in the UK. So, the best thing I can do now is to take you on a trip through the album and give you my thoughts…

We begin our journey with Porcelain, The intro to this one has you mind spinning for a few seconds, wondering where its gonna take you but, soon enough the heavy beat kicks in with these organ notes and your head gets to nodding. There is a depth to this one too, and as you listen to Deeq’s words, you realise why it has the title it does, because this one seems to refer to the fragile nature of things, from everything that you build, to society around you and the very nature of the planet you live on. From those thoughts of the fragile nature of things, we move onto English Malady, and from the title you get an instant feeling as to where this one might be going. Farma’s beat incorporates strings into a heavy drumbeat, this brings a vibe that has a weight to it, something seeps into the core of your being. As you listen you really get the feeling this is a heart felt message that speaks on the state of this island we live on. A tiny island but, a superpower on the world stage where the powers that be will do anything to maintain that, even at a cost to those who live here. In fact, the message is so deep here that you could talk for hours about the ramifications of what truly ails this country. With your mind still spinning, it’s time for EF Knows to make his first appearance on All That Burns in Not Consumed. Here Farma brings Strings and harpsichord as the main sound over the nice head nod beat. This gives this one a more relaxed feel which eases the heaviness somewhat and takes the things a bit more upbeat. Deeq and EF Knows bring vocals that bring an uplifting edge as you get the feeling this one speaks on the fact that no matter the fire that burns in any aspect of your life, there is always something left to build on, to help you rise from the ashes once again. It is a reminder that you are always stronger that you realise, even if you do hit rock bottom, you are still here to climb up once more. As those thoughts rise in your mind, it’s time to more forward as Deeq is joined by Farma G, EF Knows, and Evolucian on Grey-Sky Thinking. Horns, strings and keys all merge over the beat to create a sound that has this big, almost soundtrack kinda sound that brings an energy that seems to form in your heart centre and then fill your entire being. This one has the posse cut vibe about it and is one of those to sit back and enjoy, because here its all about the electric wordplay being demonstrated by each emcee, something that just leaves you buzzing when the time is up. We have reached the end of side A, for those listening on the vinyl, and we do that with Pyrrhic Victory, Stings and keys all come together on a pounding beat, bringing a sound that, once more, has a heavy vibe to it. As you listen to the lyrics, the deep aspect that is infused in the sound and the words really hits home and you get this sense that everything feels like a hollow victory and you research the meaning of the title, and this makes you understand things more as a Pyrrhic Victory is one where cost to the victor means it is more like a defeat. This makes you listen more intently, and you realise that life does seem to go this way, especially in the current state of society, there always seems to be something that takes away from the happiness you feel each day. I feel the message here is to not put yourself in that position and do your best not to allow things to get to you…

So, for the vinyl heads among you, its time to flip to side B, and for the rest of you; next up is Guilty, where the sound is far more uplifting, with guitars and keys coming together with the beat to get you moving and listening intently. Deeq brings us a track that speaks on life, love and personal experiences that lay open all the things he is guilty of, good or bad. There is a real sense that this one is something we canal relate to in some way and fills you with a knowing that we can all change and find our best way forward. Next up is the albums title track, Salamander, which sees Deeq joined by EF Knows and FlowTecs. This one has a heavy beat with horns and electronic sounds that merge to give us a mind bending sound. Listening to this might take you a while to get a feel for what the track is about and there is a good chance you might get something different to me. I really felt there was this aspect that was all about constantly reinventing yourself, shedding your old skin as you are constantly bombarded by the energy of the world around you. Never let that negative energy seep to far into you before you shed your skin and begin to face the world anew. Madame Guillotine has the final feature from EF Knows, and final feature of the album. Here the beat continues to uplift us with strings and vocal samples bringing a sound that really lifts you up. However, the lyrics have you questioning if you should feel up lifted here as it almost feels like a love song to Guillotine itself. However, my thoughts drifted to all the moments when you come face-to-face with the outcome of your own actions, facing up to the choices you made and that you have to come to terms with that in some way. Its interesting where music takes you sometimes. As we move into the last couple of tracks, the penultimate track is Alone With Everybody which has infectious sound of drum beat and piano, which is one of those sounds that has an emotive quality that just seems to touch you deeply. Sometimes when you here an emcee talk about how they see themselves, there is a certain amount of braggadocio involved; and to a certain extent it appears so here but, as you listen, it almost feels like you are listening to a story of a legendary emcee who is just trying to do there thing and be at peace. It made me think of the move John Wick, except here we have an emcee who others will come for but, id one you really just want to leave alone, because if pushed they will do what needs to be done. The final track here is Godhead, the beat is heavy and laced with guitars, strings, and piano notes. The outcome is another sound that can be felt through every ounce of your body. With the references to Romeo and Juliet here it took me a little while to understand what I was feeling on this one. But, one I had listened a few times it felt to me like there was a lot here about the battle of good and evil, love and hate, but, also there was something that kept saying to me the battle of constantly looking outside for validation and the answers when your own validation should come from within and the answers depend on the questions you ask. It was a great way to end the album leaving you with so much to think about.

 

So, overall, this is an extremely good album and one that you should give the time to and properly listen to. Now, I could end it there but, aside from what I have already written above, what makes this album that good?

First up you have Deeq who crafts his lyrics and wordplay with a deep intellectual ability that makes you want to listen and to understand and feel what is being said. But it is not just about his crafting of the words but, also his delivery; and you really get the sense that there is a lot of heart and emotion put into every word of every verse, and this gives a depth to every track, regardless of the subject matter. He brings you words that not only twist and turn in the mind but, also elicit an energetic response that you feel, showing you the conviction he has in his craft and the message he seeks to bring with it.

Secondly, you have the quality of production from Farma G, who just seems to be able to bring this stunning musical depth to everything he touches, and here it is no exception. Every track displays a sound that mirrors the emotive aspect of the lyrics, providing the perfect platform for Deeq to deliver. What this does overall, is create Hip Hop music that has a soul to it and one that is firmly rooted in a way that allows you to feel it with every inch of your body and not just in your mind.

So, together these two work so well together and it seems like this album was meant to happen. It brings both a pleasurable listening experience and one that is easy to associate with. Plus, if you really take the time to listen in depth here, you might just find that it touches you in ways you did not expect.

In my opinion, Salamander is a solid Hip Hop album that brings an emotive aspect you simply can’t ignore. It might say different things to you than it did to me but, then that is the pleasure of good music as it speaks to you in the moment, whenever that moment is you need to hear it.

Salamander by Deeq X Farma G is out now on Gold On The Mixer.

My huge thanks to Deeq for the chance to bring you this one.

Peace Out,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy of Salamander Here:

https://goldonthemixer.bandcamp.com/album/salamander-gotm068

Deeq Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/deeq.dark.imagery

https://www.instagram.com/deeq_darkimagery/

Farma G:

https://linktr.ee/farmag

Gold On The Mixer Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/goldonthemixer

https://www.instagram.com/goldonthemixer/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpNPqi3H0XjUaWcDG7wUSBQ

VIDEOS

English Malady

 

 

 

 

 

Album Review: The Wreckage by Create-A-Mess

 

The Wreckage

By

Create-A-Mess

 

The Wreckage is the hot new album on AE Productions out of Bristol and is brought to us from Create-A-Mess, otherwise known as the UK’s own, Jonny Cuba (Dynamic Syncopation, Soundsci).

Jonny’s pedigree as a producer on the Hip Hop scene, knows almost no bounds and has seen him work with the likes of Mass Influence, Chill Rob G, Apathy, EV.ON, Juice Aleem, Phi Life Cypher and a great many more besides. He formed Soundsci in 2009 with Ollie Teeba (Herbaliser) and Audessey aka Jack Jones (Mass Influence), and over time the crew would expand and see Oxygen and U-George come onboard for the releases like Soundsational (Ubiquity Records) and My Boosey Weighs a Ton (Cavendish Library). Emcee Supastition would also join the crew for their final LP, Walk The Earth (Fresh Pressings).

It was following this final release from Soundsci that Jonny would go on to help his Soundsci crew mates U-George, Ollie Teeba and Jack Jones on their solo projects. As time went by it was only right that Jonny should release his own solo project, and under the moniker of Create-A-Mess he has done just that. Utilising his bold and intricate production style and wealth of unheard beats, breaks and samples; plus, a stunning line-up of Emcees that include, J Scienide, Eddie Meeks, Ghettosocks, Nilla, Emskee, Jesus Mason, and his Soundsci brothers: Jack Jones, U-George and Oxygen, with all cuts and sctratches coming from Ollie Teeba.

Now, with all that considered, there is only one thing left for me to do, and that is to get into this one…

 

This album is eight tracks deep and kicks off with Clues which features Jesus Mason and Emskee on vocal duties. This one gets your head nodding from the get-go as the drum beat mixes with bass and other elements to give you this sound that you don’t just enjoy as Hip Hop but, it does seem to have this almost hypnotic edge to it. Jesus and Emskee trade verses and provide a solid display of wordplay that, as you listen to the metaphors and more, give you some clue as to their pedigree on the mic. Next, it is the turn of J.Scienide and Eddie Meeks to step up to the mic for Denmark Hill. Here we find Create-A-Mess getting funky with a slick mix of bass, keys, and strings over a nice drum beat that continues that unconscious desire to move to the sound. As you listen to the vocals on this one, there are plenty of references to driving, motion and just the passing of everyday life, which does make you think of the title and how this all works? Denmark Hill is a place in Camberwell, London, and the lyrics really put in that place, watching the world go by or being part of that rat race. From being rooted very much in the now, we wonder what’s next as Planet People, with Oxygen and Emskee, could keep us rooted here or take us elsewhere?  The deep sound that has guitar vibes taking the forefront over the beat, brings a sound that takes us beyond the confines of the planet but, leaves us observing from above. Oxygen and Emskee skilfully spin vocals that conjure up visions in your head of the past and present of the human race, or should that be the human races? This one makes you think of the good and the bad humans have perpetrated across its existence as the planet people. As those thoughts float around your mind, Thaddius III sees Thaddius Brown (U-George) join us on our journey. This one takes the beat down a few notches in pace as the beat, bass, keys, and Maracas, create this sound that takes your awareness down deep, while keeping just enough of your mind in the now to oak up the vocals. Thaddeus Brown spins metaphors around in your mind taking you to places you never thought you’d go but, its all rooted in the streets. Is this just one persons experience or a conglomeration of many, you decide or maybe Thaddius has already told you, you just need to listen a bit more…

Now, if you are listening to this on a physical copy, this will be the moment you flip it over to the B-Side, and if you are listening on digital, well just keep on listening because Fly Humans is up next with Canadian emcee’s Ghettosocks and Nilla. This one bursts into you ears with cuts and the kind of beat and sound that immediately gets your head nodding and your adrenaline and energy levels rising, quickly. It’s good to have Ghettosocks and Nilla back as they take us off into dark parallel dimension where its hard to know if this is where monsters dwell, or if this is just a description of your own mind. What is apparent is that this is Hip Hop of the highest order ya feel. Its now time for Jack Jones to make his first appearance on Pull Ya Card. The Beat, bass, cuts, and sonic vibes on this give it this funky sound that takes you out the atmosphere. While you are bouncing to the sound Jack Jones schools you to the finer points of wordplay, showing you how it should be done by a true emcee. So, sit back and enjoy this one, because right now its not about where you are, its where its at, and this is where it’s at. As we move into the album’s penultimate track, Emskee returns for Listen Son! Where the beat is funky, the guitars are funky, and the cuts are razor sharp. This one keeps the motion in body and the needle to the groove. Emskee has this voice that just takes you back to the old skool, and here he uses it to great effect as the Hip Hop elder who is offering up pearls of wisdom to the younger generation of up-and-coming emcees. The album ends with Grammaticals, which features Jack Jones and Eddie Meeks on the mic. This one keeps that deep funk vibe with a deep drum sound, alongside horns and bass. It really helps you focus on the vocals here with a vibe that puts you in mind of sitting in a smoky speakeasy, relaxing as the sounds pound and the lyrics infiltrate your mind. Here its all about how the words flow with all the metaphors and similes merging and creating the grammaticals.

 

The first thing that strikes you about this album is just how much of a pleasure it is to listen to. From top to bottom, every track has that vibe that just makes you want to move to the music. Not only that, but when an album has this kind of vibe about it, it just makes the whole reviewing and writing process a pleasure to as everything you want to say seems to flow, just as the music and lyrics flow.

Now, I might not have written so much about this but, that’s the beauty of this one, it is one of those albums where I simply need to set-up the listening experience for you and the album does the rest. You might say that about most, if not all albums but, there are those times when more just works and the times when less is more, and this is the latter of those two.

Every beat that Create-A-Mess has produced here has that pure Hip Hop sound. Yeah, there are elements of our sounds that come in but, that has always been the beauty of Hip Hop, in that it can incorporate elements of many other genres of music and then make it its own sound. It is plain to see that Jonny Cuba draws on his years of experience to produce something that has to be one of the stand-out Hip Hop albums of the year so far. Every guest emcee here are on their A game, dropping some incredible verses that highlight just how much of an enjoyable experience it must have been to write and record to these beats.

This gives The Wreckage an overall vibe that is well crafted and polished, plus takes the bar for 2025 and sets it at a high level and invites anyone to do better. Now, it might not have been meant that way but, it simply is just that good.

There is a saying that says, ‘You can never get enough of a good thing’, and that applies to The Wreckage. Across the eight tracks, this one clocks in at a little under twenty minutes, a runtime that feels more like an EP. Having said that, it is the shear quality of this release that sticks out. All eight tracks come packed with the kind of Hip Hop that makes you feel every once of the pedigree that comes from Jonny’s experience on the scene, and the same can e said of all those guest emcees, as everything here flows with vibe that says everyone worked together in perfect harmony on this one.

I can honestly say that this one should be on turntables, tape machines and playlists for a good while to come. It is also worth pointing out that Jonny Cuba also provided the Photography on the project with the sleeve design coming from Mr Krum.

The Wreckage was released at the end of January this year on Limited Vinyl, Cassette and on Digital. So, if you have not already checked this one, then I suggest you do so now.

My humble thanks to J at ae Productions for giving me the chance to bring this one to you.

 

See ya next time,

Steve

LINKS

Grab you copy of The Wreckage Here:

https://www.ae-productions.co.uk/shop

or

https://aeproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-wreckage

Jonny Cuba Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/jonny.cuba/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086574421297

ae Productions socials:

https://www.instagram.com/ae_productions_uk/

 

 

 

 

Album Review: Dead Earth 1.0 by Dangerous Creatures

 

Dead Earth 1.0

By

Dangerous Creatures

 

Dead Earth 1.0 is the latest release from Weaponize Records and comes from the hot new collective known as Dangerous Creatures.

The Dangerous Creatures are an “Open Universe collective of musical creatives” were founded by the legendary emcee and producer from the UK King Kashmere, and Essen (Germany) based producer Mimski. It is worth just dropping a short piece about each of them before I go on.

King Kashmere has been a huge figure on the UK scene for over twenty years, and during that time it has seen him create some of the most innovative and boundary-breaking UK Hip Hop with his distinctive wordplay and descriptive lyricism. Much of his work has been heavily influenced by his love for Sci-Fi, comic books and Off-beat Culture.

Mimski literally exploded on the scene in 2021 with her unique Lo-Fi production. This brought her an instant link with UK Hip Hop and has since seen her work with most of the Uks top emcees. She always seeks to ‘push the envelope’ of music production utilising ‘experimental techniques’ that bring a somewhat ‘bone-crunching’ production style. Dead Earth 1.0 will be her first produced work to be released on vinyl.

With Dangerous Creatures being a collective, there are some incredible features on the album in the form of Joker Star, Alecs DeLarge, Dan Peter Parker, Broomman, Ty Healy, Ramson Badbonez, Jazz T, Cappo, and Bigg Jus.

Dead Earth 1.0 has been on pre-sale but gets released digitally today, 7^th March with physical copies shipping as well. The album clocks in at around 43 mins and is comprised of 13 original tracks and 3 remixes. Aside from the remixes all production comes from Mimski, and all features aside, all lyrics come from King Kashmere. Cover art and design is by the renowned US Graffiti and Poet-Graffiti artist Dalek aka James Marshall.

Now, with all that said, there is just one thing left for me to do, and that is to take you on my take of what could well be a musical journey through and beyond what you currently understand as spacetime…

We start our journey with Existence, a sonic masterpiece that in underpinned by a solid beat. As you listen to this one it seems to mess with your mind, taking all your thoughts about what existence might mean, ripping them from the depths of your mind, shaking them up and then casting them back again like some weird multi-universal game of Yahtzee. Welcome To The Future brings us more of a head nod beat that backs a wealth of electronic vibes which merge to easily carry your awareness along to vocals. King Kashmere brings a bleak dystopian vison of a future that, once on a time, might have seemed to be taking place in a parallel universe but, now we realise that it’s not that far away and is only too real for us in the moment. Next, we find Joker Star and Alecs DeLarge featuring on ZPM. The beat and its elements hit you in a way that tweaks your nerves with a pulse, like heartbeat, which is strangely engaging but, at the same time almost has you bringing your hands to your head to keep your mind from exploding. The wordplay here causes your perception of reality to implode, sucked into a blackhole, and spit out on the other side into a reality you struggle to conceptualise. Now, if that wasn’t enough, Dan Peter Parker joins proceedings for CTHULU. Sonic and electronic elements combine with cuts and orchestral elements as Mimski takes us into a space that opens your awareness to a reality that might be inhabited by Lovecraftian entities. The vocals from Dan Peter Parker and King Kashmere take you further into this dark reality, filling your awareness with mind numbing visions of timeless entities that exist in a place you are now open to; these creatures seek not to take your body but, to invade your mind and stretch it a point that never quite breaks it, and just leaves you there…

Marduk brings a pounding beat that soon gives way to a mixture of sonic sounds that surrounds your mind creating a clean slate which is soon splashed with new visions for your mind to comprehend. Here, we are opened to Babylonian gods and their voyages among the cosmoses. Could there be possibilities of these gods being ancient astronauts who came to earth millennia ago? Who knows but, here we are once more, opened up to new ideas and visions of a past that impacts the future. Next up is the album’s title track, Dead Earth which sees Broomman and Ty Healy briefly join us on our journey. Mimski grabs our attention with another mind twisting sound scape of sonic sounds that have you closing your eyes and allowing the words to focus your mind. The wordplay drags you into another bleak view of the future; one where you can only see though closed eyes and the visions the words paint in your mind. The Dangerous Creatures Theme is brought to us in the company of Ramson Badbonez and Jazz T. The bass is heavy as are the keys, the beat is gritty and gets your head nodding and your adrenaline pumping. Here it’s all about complex wordplay with similes and metaphors that seem to be born from a time before the universe existed but, somehow encompass the present moment we inhabit. Perhaps the Dangerous Creatures exist in the now but, are born of the energy that birthed the universe in its current and other forms? Depending on how you are listening to the album, Collapse is either the ending of the first part of the journey or just a stepping stone on its continuation! This short sonic interlude is comprised of a multitude of electronic elements that merge, twist and expand, in a way that pulls you towards flipping from one side to the next or just puts you into freefall for what’s about to come next…  

Our journey continues with Entity which has this electronic which seems to bring you back to earth in one moment, then in the next you’re still floating among the stars; which one it is, is down to you the listener and where you are in the moment, you are the entity. Oblivion 4000 features the legendary Cappo on a beat that has a definite boom bap feel but with elements that give this a soundtrack vibe too that brings the adrenaline to the surface once more. There seems to be two parts to this track as King Kashmere gives us a look at the world around us and how that effects and impacts our now and our future. The second part sees Cappo focus more on the individual and how focusing on the self is more important that allowing yourself to be affected by what come from the world around you. Bigg Jus joins us on Nekron; the beat here has this boom bap element but, Mimski spins these streams around it that pull and stretch your understanding of the musical element you are hearing. We see comic lore deep in this one as Nekron is a DC super villain who is the personification of death. This one is like putting a comic book into musical form but, as you listen there are so many elements to this that could so easily be reflected in situations we see unfolding in society. Pranging out is another musical interlude that has Mimski skilfully bringing a banging beat and then almost softening it into the background as the electronic elements come to the forefront and bring this sound which could find you travelling the depths of space or traversing the depths of your dreamscapes…

Dead Earth (O.R.K.O Click Remix) is the first of three remixes on the album. This remix is a heavy bass vibe that is tinged with tubular bells, this creates a more oppressive air to the sound. This makes the whole idea of a dead earth, that you can only get a vision of though the words you hear, take on a far more desolate feel. The next remix is the Oblivion 4000 (Kashmere Remix ft Jazz T & Cappo) taking nothing away from the message within the original, the beat here is fused with organ notes and keys that give it a slightly darker edge; this gives more weight to the impact of energy from the world around us and cements the idea that looking within is critical for each of us. The final remix is the Welcome To The Future (Alecs DeLarge Remix). This brings another edge to the vibe of the track; where has a more chilled edge to things but, the use of the high paced cymbals and explosion sounds, gives the whole thing a darker edge with something of Lo-Fi Grime sound too. The album ends with Dead End, this is less of an outro and more of a sonic / electronic vibe that seems to echo the very title of the track. It feels very much like you find yourself at an impasse, wondering if there is any way forward or if you should, in fact, go back the way you came…

 

Making your way through this album gives you a very real sense of traversing different versions of reality that not only make you question the notion of spacetime but, also give you a glimpse at the real possibility of how music, words and frequencies could have an effect on your perception of reality.

Dead Earth 1.0 is, without a doubt, a genre bending album that takes the notion of Hip Hop to a very different level. Some might even say it is not Hip Hop at all. However, the influence of Hip Hop is only too clear to see here. Yes, it is true that Mimski brings a whole new depth of production value to project, one that merges and fuses many different sounds in that Lo-Fi way, creating an overall sound that has a dark, heavy edge to it. Creating a sound like this works so well when it is the backdrop to what King Kashmere brings in the way of vocals. What King Kashmere does here is to merge all those eclectic influences and deliver something that seems to be as far away from reality as it is close to reality by the use of extremely clever wordplay and the use of similes and metaphors rooted in ancient mysticism, comic book lore and stories from minds of classic authors. He then merges all that with a deep knowledge of what is going on in the world around us, twisting the narratives to take us beyond the now and throughout time.

This is definitely going to be one of the standout albums of the year, not just because it has that genre bending sound but, also because it has an experimental vibe that keeps you root in the now while allowing you to drift off into other versions of reality. This is a very cleaver album that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.

My advice here is to grab a copy now while you can, and get a handle on where it might take you. The release comes in classic Black vinyl as well as Yellow vinyl and Ltd Cassette too. So, don't sleep as they won't be around forever.

I give my humble thanks to Guy at Weaponize Records for bringing this one to my attention.

 

Now it’s back to reality and I’ll see you next time,

Peace out.

Steve

LINKS

Grab you copy, while you can, on Bandcamp:

https://weaponizerecords.bandcamp.com/album/dead-earth-10

Social Links

https://www.instagram.com/kingkashmere_official/

https://www.instagram.com/mimski_beatz/

https://www.instagram.com/weaponize_records/

Weaponize Records on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551812373834

More Links

https://mimski.bandcamp.com/track/sea-watch-donation-mix

https://kingkashmere.bandcamp.com

VIDEOS

Welcome To The Future