Locality Reviews: Brothers of the Stone – Self Titled LP

Brothers of the Stone – Self Titled LP – High Focus Records 2013

Brothers of the Stone are:

Leaf Dog

BVA

Illinformed

Only three tracks into the album two things were already clear. Illinformed is a beast, and Leaf Dog and BVA are equipped with sick vocal abilities poised with a potent message.This is the hip hop sound that has been neglected as of recently in the hip hop community but has been sorely missed. If you're that guy, like us, always complaining about the current state of music and how some artists don't reflect hip hop accurately and generally commercialise hip hop, then look no further for the remedy is at hand.

Brothers of the Stone’s self titled debut has been 4 years in the making and is well worth the wait. With appearances from heavyweights such as KRS One, Vinnie Paz and the main man behind High Focus, Fliptrix, this album is a must have for any hip hop fan wanting a stripped down, un-watered sound. It’s a 14-track album and available on CD, vinyl, limited edition vinyl and digital download. Need more convincing? Read on....

In the press release, BVA states,

“From developing the first tracks for the album, the idea was to always make a raw album that had no desire to be commercial.”

“We've written an album that stays with the listener, from the bars to the beats. Illinformed has supplied the big sample based banger's that aren't commercial hits for the club, but more dirty classics for the heads.”

Brothers of the Stones three members consist of two Mc’s, Leaf Dog and BVA, who have been working together since day one (The Three Amigos - Four Owls – RLD records) and Leaf Dog’s younger brother Illinformed on the beats (worked with Ras Kass, Jedi Mind Tricks, J Love) all unified by one goal – to bring hip-hop back to its true glory, un-tainted by mainstream commercialism, gathering artists from across the UK and overseas to collab with them using a very DIY approach, trading “beats for bars, features for beat tapes,” and so on to score an all-star line-up for the album. Leaf Dog quoted in the album inlet:

"For all the fans, thank you for the support! I do this for those who think like me and want that real hip hop! We didn't pay for any of the features on this album, everything was made for the love of hip hop music."

The reunion between Illinformed, Leaf Dog and BVA happened when Illinformed returned to the South West from London, completing the trio and allowing their musical ideals to flourish. Whilst they all worked on various projects they continued to work on the Brothers of the Stone album.

We’re going to go through and break down some of our favourite tracks, talking about why they stand out.

Introduction – The album starts with a statement about being confused and “zombie” like. Track one, Freedom, drops with organ stabs and Leaf Dog addressing the listeners directly, “Time to get free, this is for you, this is for me…” Leaf Dog hits this one solo, setting a contextual theme for the album. A short track, but briefly describes the journey he took to get to where he is.

They See You – The second single and track two of the album (you may have already caught the official video that was released a few weeks before the album dropped) starts with a distorted vocal sample which sounds like it’s been played through an old gramophone. This compliments the video’s Film Noir/detective theme and sits perfectly with the rest of the track.

Leaf Dog takes the first verse and delivers a signature story telling style by introducing us to the “guy-gets jumped" scenario. Reliving the incident and portraying an interrogation style account of the night he uses this imagery to describe what it’s like to be censored musically.

“And then one spoke, with a rusty throat, he said he’s gonna get me for the lyrics that I wrote...”

BVA hits verse two hard and heavy from his first bar.

“We've got girls too young to drink, but sip man milk, too dumb to pass the test but leave blood spilled….” Venting his frustrations on a corrupt system where greed is primary and not wanting to sit back and take it lying down.

“That’s how it goes? Nah, fuck that I’m coming, cuz the war drum’s drumming and my crew always thinks of something…”

The hook is accompanied by a long, swelling, dissonant trumpet sample… “They see you, but you don’t see them. So many signs, it’s hard to pretend. They see you, but you don’t see them, you will realise when it comes to the end.”

The beat, like the entire album, hits hard. Although stripped down and simplified, the raw drum samples and eerie jazz vocals give this track depth and momentum, and is a prime example of how these 3 individuals need no help in the hip hop game, they complement each other vocally, lyrically and musically. The video is a perfect match for the tune and had us eagerly awaiting the album before its release.

The next track to mention on our favourites run down is track 4, "Go Hate".

The first thing to really draw our attention is the "Latin-jazz" styled sampled played at the beginning of the tune... captured simply what digging for samples is about, allowing room for the drums to come in full swing.... instant headbanger. A simple message from all 3 MC's on this track, haters are always gonna hate, regardless. And don't sell the fuck out.

BVA kicks off the first verse with a shout-out to anti-commercialism. "Fuck being normal, unlike the rest of them, I got my own shit. My lyrics are so far out, sometimes it makes me homesick..."

"And the anacondas we can see ya slitherin', the circle of respect isn't something that you're living in..."

"Money-maker to crew-breakers and every hater, I say 'goodbye', I hope I don't see you later."

Reef The Lost Cauze features on this track a keeps the theme of real hip hop, not selling out and rejecting the mainstream industry.

Leaf Dog's first line "Different face, same case, I guess that they never knew that he won't accomplish all the shit that he said he'll do..." and further on "deep down I know you thought it was your destiny, but real skills are earned, that ego comes free..." all stand out and help solidify the message of staying true to what you do. Add the head-noddin' beat and you're left with a certified banger.

Number 5 on the album is Imagine and features a nostalgic Leaf Dog, reminiscing about the early days, lifes "what-if's?" and how his love for hip hop progressed, through to the evolution of the various crews leading up to BOTS. Another lesson on how effective story-telling in hip hop can be, this one not only stands out for its lyrical content, but the beat that lays so perfectly behind it. From smooth, smoky sax licks, hitting all the right notes (no pun intended) to the floaty piano riffs and simple drums make this a short but instant classic.

Track 10 is Both Wicks and has the kind of beat behind it that makes you wanna crack open Ableton, even if you can't write music. Literally inspiring. Big strings, minor chords and broken marching drums... need I say more? BVA is simply lethal on this tune, displaying he can kill it on the track solo without losing any momentum. Big chorus will have you chanting along to his tale of life on the daily struggle... another story ridden beast of a tune.

The first single to be released of the album was Cartoon Days, track 7 on the album. It starts with sombre piano loop that fades out quickly for the song to drop straight into the hook. (The video edit has a sweep before the drop.)

"These are cartoon days, see the words jump right off of the page, we all have a role to play, I should warn ya, is it you? Is it me? Who's the author?"

Deviating from the moody, down tempo beats that accompanied the tracks previous, this takes a more upbeat approach with a quicker tempo and big vocal samples that help carry one of the albums more quirkier tracks. With Leaf Dog taking the first and BVA taking the second, the single also has a guest appearance from RLD's, Jack Jetson, on the third verse.

Track 12, Burning My Soul features Fliptrix and starts with Leaf Dog reinforcing the earlier stated message, to stay clear of what it would take to become commercial and mainstream.

Leaf Dog...

"I listen to the radio and feel my soul burning....."

"It wont change it's arranged by the powers that be......"

BVA...

"I never heard of the group, but I still hope they break up...."

"What's the definition of commercial?, an advert, make your record label money, while they dress you up in pampers..."

Fliptrix...

"We've been free from the chains, releasing the flames, ya not in the stream that's main..."

"Pop tarts forgetting why they started since they charted...."

The beat has a great Motown/Northern Soul sounding vocal on the hook and a deep bass alongside organ and guitar samples throughout the verse. This beat is a personal favourite from the album.

To summarise, this is a near flawless debut from BOTS and showcases true talent from the UK. Although we didn't review every track, this was simply due to the fact this review would have been too long and to also leave the remaining tracks, which are of equal standard, up to you to discover for yourselves. We highly recommend going out and grabbing a copy of this for yourselves. Link directly to the High Focus store page below.
http://shop.high-focus.com/product/brothers-of-the-stone-cd-pre-order
http://shop.high-focus.com/product/brothers-of-the-stone-double-vinyl-pre-order

Links below to other BOTS videos to wet your appetite.