Tag Archives: ukhh

Telemachus – In The Evening

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We all picture producers to be meticulous perfectionists. Digging and repeating tracks over and over, again and again. Striving to find exactly what they hear in their head. The quest for perfection could drive some mad but most of the time, to mediocrity. It’s often a fruitless pursuit. In essence it’s a search, which is why the name ‘Telemachus’ is so fitting.

Telemachus directly translated means ‘far from battle’. The name relates to a tale in Greek mythology where a boy goes searching for news about his father during the Trojan War. Although the premise of this story relates to the travels of a young boy, ‘In the evening’ takes you on Telemachus’ journey – one rich and immersive.

Despite the inherit difficultly of a production-based album; there’s something about this work that comes across with ease. From the moment ‘In the evening’ drops. It doesn’t grab your attention, no – Chemo’s alias is much more subtler. Instead he persuades it, building an understated atmosphere, moving effortlessly from entrancing movements, elevating melodies through to disconcerting tones.

With the first stanza echoing DJ Shadow’s Entroducing, the early portion of the album is characterized by layers of instrumentals. Seen in the bouncing drums of Tennis Season and the hazy-horns of Planet Earth. Yet the movement after this breaks into a gust of Egyptian pipes in Trivandum’ following on from an upbeat layover in reggae with The Light. At times, it has the slickness and suavity of the ocean’s gang 11 on acid.

The second half of the album incites more of the toil of the journey. Through the desert-infused tracks of lonesome wandering to the accomplishment of Grey Skies before the reflective vibrations of Ferndale Road. With both Rose Petals and the Roc Marciano featured Scarecrows helping you heed warnings of the troubles along the way. Crucially, Telemachus is confident enough in his abilities to not stack the bill with big names, instead he uses features sparingly and to builds with them, not around them.

‘on this mountain road, vultures overhead I’m counting the crows’. Jehst – The Sheltering Sky

There’s a dark vitality to a lot of the tracks, when things start to get upbeat it seems there’s always something lurking on the horizon. But where most instrumental albums get too convoluted, Telemachus is comfortable enough to emphasize sounds without overworking the feel of tracks. Whilst making sure it doesn’t sound overproduced; the subtleties of the album are its strength.

His previous work leading up to ‘In The Evening’ featured everything from Ethiopian dancehall singers, Lee Fields, the Dixie cups, Jefferson airplane, to J Dilla and The Doors (to name but a few). Overall, the eclectic mix of sounds triumphantly return. It’s one of the few things you’ll listen to and fell like it was over too quickly. With beats creeping up and disappearing you feel like something you were trying to catch has just slipped through your fingers.

It’s engaging, but more importantly in today’s age, it’s innovative. Hip-Hop has always drawn influences from every corner of the musical cosmos. But it’s seldom seen that so much from so many places is brought together without disharmony. Only then to masterfully toy with the atmosphere throughout the album without causing audible offence – incredible.

Ultimately, Telemachus’ ‘In the evening’ entrances you like medusa, has the strength of Hercules and the craft of Odysseus without the Achilles heels of most instrumental albums. Telemachus has sculpted something to satisfy the turntable-nerd, the passive listener and the inattentive hip-hop head. What he’s created with ‘in the evening’ may be influenced by mythology, but it sounds like magic. If Telemachus the myth is the journey of a boy becoming a man, Telemachus’ latest work is the journey of a producer becoming a wizard.

For a physical copy and a free poster get to Suspect-Packages.com

Review by Danny Hill @

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Lewis Parker – The Glass Ceiling

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Glass poster 2000

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The environment in which a select few began back spinning breaks and lacing them with rhythmic rhyme patterns was one of movement; a place that looked both inward and outward, drawing influence and inspiration from faraway places and providing an expressive escapism for those trapped within their locality, both spatially and socially. It is maybe this environment – the foundational essence of this art form – that has paved the way for Hip Hop to spread across the globe, not only in its tainted commercial manifestation but more importantly in its raw, inclusive, expressive, true form. With this in mind then, we might do well to see Lewis Parkers move across the pond some years ago as simple proof (like we needed any) of his dedication to, love for, and propagation of, that golden sound! Those few who are left moaning about a change in accent from Mr Parker will be, quite simply, DE-RAILED by the long awaited second instalment of The Puzzle – The Glass Ceiling. A dizzying release, some 30 tracks deep and chock full of tough drums and panoramic sounds, The Glass Ceiling is the product of many years spent perfecting the craft and negotiating the rocky terrain of the music industry. The album plays out through the strong conceptual framework of an espionage crime thriller which Lewis has been fine tuning since his coming up days. Here though, the concept seems to have solidified and strengthened resulting in his most coherent and thematic release to date, which is astonishing given the length of the album. The concept of the glass ceiling is the invisible boundary which inhibits many from realising any sort of upward economic mobility and offers the top rungs of the corporate ladder only to an elite minority. It is inherent in the capitalist world system and Parker embarks on an exploration of life beneath the glass ceiling, relaying tales of betrayal, sabotage, love, strife and graft.

The title track opens the album with a panoramic vista of entwining string and horn arrangements – the kind that have become characteristic of Mr Parkers sound. From the get go the level of lyricism displayed far surpasses any of his work since It`s all Happening Now (2002) with rich imagery evoking the day to day negotiation of the city-scape. Summer with Asakala tells a tale of lost love and shows Parker reflecting on a relationship strained under the weight of distance. As pensive strings punctuate sorrowful flutes it`s easy to forget your listening to LP`s arrangements on the SP1200 and not a live orchestra; such is the skill with which he`s reworked a patchwork of sound from vinyl into hard hitting movements! John Robinson enters the frame on Excursions; a cosmic, Rhodes infused track which sees them both laying out nostalgic life histories, tales of movement and migration. Vibrato Illusions sees Parker joined by Mista Spyce from the legendary UK group The Brotherhood for a sinister discussion on the illusory nature of reality. As the album draws towards a close it’s Game of survival which jumps out; a reflective meditation on a life long struggle laid upon a canvas of spiralling flutes. The whole project is intersected by a number of skits, often returning to the original string motif from the title track, giving the release the feel of a soundtrack or library record.

Parkers beats are tough as ever throughout and the fact the whole album – all 30 tracks of it – plays coherently from beginning to end is indicative of the longevity of Lewis Parker`s time in the game. The Glass Ceiling does what any great film soundtrack or thematic score was supposed to do in the 70s; evoke moods, paint a picture and transport the listener. The 2xLP album comes in a gatefold sleeve with ill Blaxploitation style/Schifrin-esque artwork. For both long-time fans of Lewis Parker and new listeners this certainly won’t disappoint, beat-heads and lay people alike will appreciate the time and effort that`s gone into both the beats and the overall sound of the project. No doubt this will be one of the best Hip Hop albums of the year and sees Lewis Parker setting the bar ever higher…NO ONE makes beats this good!

Glass gatefold Deluxe Edition 2000

The 2xLP is available from kingunderground.com

CD Pre-Order suspect-packages.com

Matt Smith @MRVILLAGELIVE

 

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Ill By Definition @ Lakota 28/3/13

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Bristol has been the home to some ridiculous line-ups over the past few months and its future as a venue for some stellar Hip Hop gigs is very much in the ascendency. On the day that Rhyme & Reason unveiled joint headliners of KRS-ONE and PETE ROCK for a future venture; home-grown sounds descended upon Lakota again for another night of dope beats.

After the customary local warm-up from Juvey P & Lowdose; Res, J Man & Fingerfood took to the stage to drop fresh material under their new pseudonym, Team 84. With Fingerfood cutting and chopping with the precision of Heston Whatshischops, J Man showcasing his lyrical dexterity with his trigger-tongue highlighting his prowess on both 90 and 140bpm and Res calling for an impromptu Split Prophets assembly; the energy and rapid-fire flows served as the perfect appetiser for the evening’s entertainment.

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Kicking off the High Focus showcase; their latest acquisition Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, flanked by Leaf Dog, slowed it down, smoothed shit out and previewed a host of tracks from their upcoming collab, “The Dog ‘N’ Bone EP”. From the audience’s response, he definitely earned himself some new fans and their new EP is better than heavy so make sure you keep your eyes and ears peeled when that lands towards the end of the month (the review’s on its way very soon too). Bringing that real life drama to the Red Dread soundsystem, Leaf then took centre stage with his fellow Amigo/ Owl BVA, running through tracks old and new (including fresh Four Owls and BVA solo ish) with the endless energy we’ve come to expect from the duo.

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With HF mainstay and Wordplay familia Sammy B-Side firmly settled on the 1s and 2s and controlling the night’s vibes with a mere flick of his digits, it was time for the head honcho and ‘elder statesmen’ of the label to raise the levels even further. Trading verses and tracks, Fliptrix and Verb T took us to the edge, along the high way, dropped more dynamite before sparking a near riot as they encouraged Lakota to start wylin’ out. Drawing the High Focus theme to a temporary climax, the often calm and reserved individual, most commonly known as Dirty Dike, kicked off his stint on stage with a chorus of his “favourite song” containing the repetitive and admittedly catchy sole lyrics of “Fuck You”. Maintaining the night’s theme of dropping new material, after running through tracks from his “Sloshpot EP”, he delved into a couple of gems from his upcoming “Return Of The Twat LP” before pushing the speakers to their limits with a ridiculously bass-laden D&B onslaught.

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Seemingly out of nowhere, the headline act arrived. Throwing Mr. Ti2bs to the foreground to drop heat from his recent release “Super Ti2bs”, Skinnyman then stepped up to show how it’s done. Backed by his son, the veteran ran through a whole host of his classic tracks with the likes of “Fuck The Hook”, “Who Me?” and “No Big Ting” near enough blowing the roof off the place. Skinny’s relentless energy, hyperactivity and determination for the crowd to spark something created the foundation for a set that would most definitely put some of the younger bucks in the scene to shame. As his showpiece drew to a close, he then became hype-man for High Focus’ resident ornithologists.

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One of the hardest working collectives around at the minute; The Four Owls once more took flight and delivered a high calibre set list, covering their brilliant debut and material from their forthcoming follow up; with the same passion and enthusiasm that anyone who’ve clocked them over the past 12 months would come to expect from their shows. As the night reached its crescendo Dabbla, Dubbeledge, illaman and Sumgii, under their Problem Child alias, hit the stage to shut it down. Possibly only their second collective outing, the combined experience shone through as the group hyped up the crowd, dropped new bars and served up the perfect culmination to a monumental night of the finest sounds from our shores.

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Once more, Bristol played host to another ridiculously heavy night of entertainment. With too many highlights to really do them justice, the biggest bonus to take away from the evening’s events was the sheer amount of new material on offer. Everyone that played have new stuff waiting in the wings and for those that thought 2012 was an epic year for British Hip Hop; based on what was witnessed at Ill By Definition, the remainder of 2013 has massive potential to eclipse its predecessor and further cement our scene’s standing in the global culture. UK Stand Up.

Words by Mike Pattemore @beats_n_pieces

Photography by Anis Ali & Clem Samuel

Video by Clem Samuel

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Fliptrix: Mind Travelling.

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ITS BEEN DROPPED, High focus founder, Big Owl (The Four Owls) Fliptrix, one of the key revitalizers of hip hop in the UK, has just dropped the new single “Mind Travelling” which he has put together in an exclusive 3 tracked Mind Travelling E.P, to wet our whistles for the third installment of his saga “Third Eye Of the Storm” (23rd April 2012)

Fliptrix has no need to prove points or claw for rank within UKHH, anyone who’s followed the genre at any given time should know his affiliation and presence by now. This single for me is the result of Fliptrix taking a step back and harnessing every aspect of himself and his surroundings, projecting them outwardly in a powerful flurry of breathless deliverance and meaningful metaphors, with some deep self reflection added for good measure. On production we find 184 once again behind an epically refined beat, this time taking the form of a more spiritual infested journey.

Fliptrix definitely knows how to cause a storm in a teacup when it comes to releases, this track has quite simply got me itching to get my grubby mitts on the album. This guy has done untold amounts for the scene, with this warm up release its obvious he plans to push boundaries, open eyes and touch upon things of deeper meanings, The High focus seal of approval has always been issued deservingly, This Single does not cease on the expectations. DOPE

Review By Rikki James

You can Buy The Mind Travelling E.P here: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/mind-travelling-single/id505937878

And Pre-order The Third Eye of The Storm here: http://shop.high-focus.com/product/fliptrix-third-eye-of-the-storm-cd-pre-order

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Haan & Sixth Sense

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There’s no better feeling then coming across an underground release and it actually being half good, and the Haanshake is just that and more.

Both parties involved I’d never heard of before, man I’m pleased i do now. Emcee Haan teams up with producer Sixth sense to release their free debut. London based Haan has a almost hypnotic style of deliverance, weapon of choice being, an in-depth understanding of various life subjects and interesting life concepts which he puts across while avoiding the cliche whiney preacher flex, with an extensive vocabulary to back him up further this guy showcases a lot of strength, Sixth sense on the Production movements kills it for me, working heavily within looping strings and tangy drum snaps laying almost eery tracks like “Be like you”, complimenting with tracks like “The ending” which takes us back to familiar hip hop territories, the guys productions are dope.

The whole album stinks with talent bunched with intelligence of the genre. It’s also FREE, seriously download this and support.

All reviews are by Rikki, send him an email: rikki@wordplaymagazine.com

 

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Asylum Seekas

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Hip Hop is exploding out of every nook and cranny at the moment, we came across this cracking little album from a collective based in Guernsey (off the shores of normandy in the english channels) who go by the name Asylum Seekas.

These guys have already supported a heavy weight bunch of acts including Jehst, Lewis parker and Yungun. Upon listening to “Recorded Delivery” it quickly becomes apparent as to why these opportunities arose for them. Consisting of a four strong Emcee pack Apex, Jimi Riddlz, Kp The Iceman and Big ish Who, led by producers from Iceman beats and Dj Minirol, gives for a wide spectrum to showcase talent.

Emcee’s as a group work together well and even cohere within vocal pitch and styles, while production mirrors original true to form hip hop. Throughout the album there is good evidence of lyrical intellect and production savvy, which can be heard in “Miss taken”. The Black Russian aka Klashnekoff even crops up for a feature. Considering these had been off the radar to us until recently, sets Asylum Seekas for a Diamond in the dirt Status …go check and support.

All reviews are by Rikki, send him an email: rikki@wordplaymagazine.com

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Logic & Last Resort – True Talk

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For any of you who know People’s Army, then you should know Logic and you most definitely should be aware of the direction and form that their music takes.

As a Group they have been confronting world-wide issues at its truest and rawest form. With a debut release from People’s Army, foreman Logic teamed with producer Last Resort, we never expected anything less than a unadulterated perspective into a powerful mind. Last Resort on production, lays down a tally of modern hip hop Wizardry that would keep not only the diehard fans of the genre entertained but catch the attention of others more inclined to other Uk scenes, “Animal” for me should be a straight club banger. Logic as always is keen to express subjects that affect us all, both directly and indirectly, which he delivers flawlessly. This album is full of “true story” ethic, boasting features from Lowkey, Klashnekoff, Akala, Remus and Maverick Sabre to name a few, make this release bound to be Big for the UK scene.

Grab a copy here:  http://bit.ly/rqJooF

All reviews are by Rikki, send him an email: rikki@wordplaymagazine.com

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Committee Christmas

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Christmas has just been doused in rum and set alight. Our Brighton based Booze fuelled gang Rum committee have just released “Committee Christmas” produced for the One Inch Badge “Merry Krampus” show. These guys have always been a Wordplay favorite, their use of humorous lyrics always leave me in stitches, on this track they take everything that’s meant to be jolly, take it, twist and spew it out in a jumbled barrage of comical attacks and vile punch lines. I’d invite these guys to the Wordplay office Christmas party anytime.

Check it, enjoy it download it.

http://oibrecords.com/store/#Krampus3 http://rumcommittee.com

LOG ON OR JOG ON!!

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10 Questions: Trellion

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Keeping it Badtaste records again, Trellion is part of A-Street-Cartel who released the self titled album recently, we run 10 question by him…..

1. Where are you from?

Parker place, Lunaville island. Sheffield sometimes as well.

2. Do you have a calling card or catch phrase?

Oooiiiiii.

3. Cornflakes or Pancakes?

Pancakes 

4. What’s in your fridge right now?

Bowl of sweetcorn, peach Ice tea and a bottle of milk that looks like a lava lamp. 

5. Are you touring? Where can I see you?

Done a bunch of gigs up and down the UK in 2011 and looking to do a mini tour sometime early 2012.

6. Whats the worst thing to happen to you on stage?

Nothing bad has ever happened to me on stage, touch wood, no homo

7. Can you link us to a Youtube video of yours?

 

What other UK artist should we look out for?

I’m definitely digging Defenders of Style from Leeds but apart from what’s coming out of my own crews label (Bad Taste) I’m pretty out the loop about what’s going on in the UK scene. I’m all up for hearing new shit though. 

9. You say a lot of words, but whats your favorite word of all?

Luna (said in evil scientist voice)

10. What’s your latest release and where can I get it?

A-Street Cartel- available from Badtasterecords.co.uk. Sniff got some foul beats on there, shout out Young and Miffa. Also make sure you look out for ‘The Shadow People’ LP a joint venture from Trellion and Figment, all beats by Thirdpersonlurkin.

 

 

 

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Farma G’s 5 Word freestyle: RESULTS

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Farma G’s festive 5 Word Freestyle Challenge touched down in East London again this week and with it came everything that Wordplay Magazine loves about the UK Hip Hop scene; dangerously clever lyricism, vibes a plenty, alcoholic beverages of every single shape and size, massive fuck off zut smoking circles and live PA’s to kill for. Special shout outs have to go to Dirty Dike, Jam Baxter and DJ Sammy B who almost took the ceiling off during their stage show at the Villain Bar.

Aside from the positive vibes that can always be found at any Task Force bashment, it is fair to say that the calibre of entrants this time round was just about as good as it has ever been. Notably, a dope face off in the semi finals between Team Hate compatriots Enlish and Stig Of The Dump. After a Punchline heavy face off Stig deservedly took one slot in the final. Stig was closely followed by Row D to make up the final two and after a closely fought battle, it was decided that an acapella round would have to be introduced to set the rappers apart.

Wordplay would like to extend a million big ups to Stig Of The Dump for taking the crown and with it 150 pounds sterling to splash on champagne bubbly.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME…

Post by: Tom @ Wordplay

 

Weds 7th Dec…

Farma G’s Five Word Freestyle returns this Thursday with a Christmas special. With Farma G, Mystro, Chester P, Jam Baxter & Dike, Louis Slippers and Dj Gone thats a massive line up!

Get there well before 10PM not only for the cheaper ticket but for guaranteed entry, last time it was rammed and 1 in 1 out.

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Cappo

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Gusto grizwold: International vacation

Another release I’ve been meaning to add for a while, Cappo returns not long after The Fallout with Gusto grizwold: International vacation. Taking beats from all over, some well known like Massive attacks Teardrop and others unheard. This is all about the barrage of lyrics he spits on every track, Kling Klang is a perfect example:

Preview and grab a copy from Suspect Packages

 

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10 Questions: Scizzahz

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Scizzahz, ‘I still work harder’ came out earlier in the year. We catch up and run the ten questions by the south coast rapper. Bandcamp tracks below.

10 Questions

1. Where are you from?

Hastings Town, South Coast.

2. Do you have a calling card or catch phrase?

Help those who help themselves.

3. Cornflakes or Pancakes?

Cornflakes (Crunchy Nut)

4. What’s in your fridge right now?

Zywiec Beer, Chorizo and not much else.

5. Are you touring? Where can I see you?

Always doing shows, London, Brighton mainly. Up in Leeds and all of the North real soon too.

6. Whats the worst thing to happen to you on stage?

Tripping over my boys XLR lead and stacking it, losing my entire pint.

7. Can you link us to a Youtube video of yours?

8. What other UK artist should we look out for?

My boy Wizard is the best producer in the UK and my boy TC Ceezlin is killing the bars at the moment, Dot Rotten smashing it, and Piff Gang!

9. You say a lot of words, but whats your favorite word of all?

Tripe

10. What’s your latest release and where can I get it?

Latest album is “I Still Work Harder” get it at scizzahz.bandcamp.com iTunes, http://rarekindrecords.co.uk or http://www.suspectpackages.com/

 

 

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Assa: Everyday User + 10 Questions

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Sheffield Born, Manchester representing, Tactical thinking associated Assa man drops his “Everyday user” album upon the world, and it will leave a dent on listening impact.

I first caught wind of the release when I heard “Super hero” a quick witted and comical flip on the roles your “typical” hero encounters, laid over an extremely catchy beat. Throughout this album Assa delivers at a slick tongued pace, flirting between dark and almost satirical lyrical content, which contains a huge amount of cunning, and detail, “Soap opera” ft Derogatory showcases this perfectly. Production side, each track coherently allows for ultimate damage to be obtained via Assa mans wordplays, using catchy piano rifts and a steady company of drum kicks. With various track features from the rest of his Tactical thinking Clan (watch out for “My boss” ft Leaf Dog), leaves this album complete with heavy hitters.

Plus order a copy and receive Tactical Thinking’s “Too broke to go solo” album….BIG!

 10 Questions

1. Where are you from?

“Manchester, representing Blackpool with Sheffield ancestors”

2. Do you have a calling card or catch phrase?

It has been brought to my attention that I talk about my testicles a lot.

3. Cornflakes or Pancakes?

Neither, Frosties.

4. What’s in your fridge right now?

Loads of kids food I get told off for eating and asparagus.

5. Are you touring? Where can I see you?

Not touring at the moment, I should be, but I simply haven’t got time.

6. Whats the worst thing to happen to you on stage?

We got racially abused once at a gig in Trafford, no shit. Before we even started rapping they were shouting all sorts of stupid shit at us, some even threw a chip barm (Those of you from further south this is a chip butty) at Derogatory but he swerved it. Ill never forget that, Fucking knob heads!

7. Can you link us to a Youtube video of yours?

“32 bars” taken from my album EVERYDAY USER OUT 02/12/11

8. What other UK artist should we look out for?

Modern Medicine are gonna be one to watch they are basically Tactical Thinking minus a few wastemen including my self.

9. You say a lot of words, but whats your favorite word of all?

“Tufficult” Alan Shearer said it at the 2010 world cup finals.

10. What’s your latest release and where can I get it?

EVERYDAY USER produced by Naïve and Pete Canonn, Featuring Leafy, B.V.A, Deadline, Jim Raygun, Derogatory, Jay Madden, Tenchoo, Lego, Rebecca Stevens, Foola and more…

You can get it right now from everydayuser.co.uk also available on itunes and amazon.

All reviews by Rikki, if you have something for him send him an email: rikki@wordplaymagazine.com

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DefDFires

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The Palace is a Sick single Conjured up by north London based, politically minded Rap group Defdfires. With their debut album Operation: Zombie Nation that dropped last month they are definitely worth looking out for.

These guys are taking hip hop too new levels with what they have to say about the current state of our economy and what the world is possibly coming too, “The Palace” being a direct finger up to the system and an insight into some Interesting views. Along with a nice twist on hip hop production and a well directed video make for a promising first single.

Find their album here: DefDFires Badcamp 


 

All reviews by Rikki, if you have something for him send him an email:  rikki@wordplaymagazine.com 

 

 

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