With rumors of a new Jam Baxter release on the horizon we have been waiting impatiently for some new intricate word-smithin' and beats to make your neck hurt for weeks, so you can imagine how ecstatic we were to have been sent a new ep from Jam and Jon Phonics.
Our first taste of Jam Baxter and Jon Phonics came back in 2010 when Baxter teamed up with Fliptrix to feature on "Dark Days" taken from Phonics' highly anticipated sequel, "Half Past Calm 2". Featuring some of the biggest names and talent in UKHH at the time and fused with Phonics' electronic take on the genre this was a release that turned a lot of heads, and got everyone talking.... and waiting eagerly for more colabs from Baxter and Phonics.
Dark Days - Jon Phonics Ft Fliptrix and Jam Baxter
The ep is packed to the brim with Jam's signature complex lyrical repertoire, his flawless ability to switch up his flows mid bar, Phonics steppy electro funk fused with a jazz sensibility giving us the sonic canvas for this brutal banquet of meaty freshness. Opening with an short track full of vocal samples over a mellow beat with a retro brass synth like that on a Mario Bro's game from the 90's. Setting up the lyrical side of the ep's themes the intro is made all the more creepy by the distinct tonal difference between the beat and whats being said.... genius.
All three full length tunes that follow have very different vibes and help define the versatility that both artists are praised for. With a healthy mix of various different styles Phonics shows he is a force that's gonna make big waves in the UKHH scene, displaying a vast knowledge of his production capabilities in a limited number of tracks. Fresh Flesh, the second and titular track has a moody, trap influenced beat accompanied by the epic chorus chants and grumbling sub all fading in as Baxter drops his first verse. This track in particular helps solidify Baxter as a monster on the mic, switching tempo's in his delivery with way to much ease, his chilled out demeanor never slowing him down which is why his rise to being one of the UK's finest has looked almost effortless.
The next track, Rush, speaks for itself.
This blend of high plinky keys and low end sub is just pimpin'. The slightly unquantized snare drum and smokey vibe echos perfectly as Jam paints the vivid imagery that he's known for. Another tune that fully demonstrates how technically gifted Baxter and Phonics are when it comes to their craft. The contrast of the beat, stripped down and simple, yet full and complete giving that polished feel with Baxters lyrics, projecting intricate scenes of grimness, yet everything remains intriguing, never settling for anything less than the perfect word(s) to end the bar. You will be repeating that hook for weeks.... that I can assure you.
The forth and final track Eating is drenched in a gritty, low end bass that swallows the sound-scape in the best way. Whereas electronica was featured in the previous tracks, this one fully embraces a heavy sci-fi sonic range of noise along side Baxter who keeps up his high level of finesse with another effortless delivery and instantly chant-able hook.
Each track brings something different to the table to wet your appetite keeping the ep sounding fresh from start to finish. Another banger from Jam Baxter and the High Focus crew available for pre-order from the link bellow. This one comes highly recommended. Released 20th August 2014.
High Focus are back again with another duo new to their roster. This time its Cracker Jon and 2 Late dropping their first release for the record label "You Can Take The Cracker Out Of Croydon", a 19 track album with guest appearances from Leaf Dog, Lee Scott, Smellington Piff, Sly Moon, Dubble O, Eric Da Red, Dirty Dike, Fliptrix, Datkid, Strange Neighbour, Dj Al Mighty and Dj Sammy B-Side. Cracker has already featured on the HFTV youtube channel with his 2 exclusive bars videos and recently did a guest verse for the BVA solo album "Be Very Aware". All the videos can be found throughout the review.
Cracker and 2 Late are no strangers to the UK Hip Hop scene, for years now they have been smashing gigs and festivals all over the UK and have also performed at Outlook Festival and in Croatia. Cracker's dark, filthy flow and 2 Late's nostalgic stompers blend perfectly together and this is evident throughout the album as they take the listner on a journy through the many stylyes of Hip Hop.
Album Mini Mix
After starting with a short skit, we're thrown straight into "My Demands," a rowdy beat that somehow feels fresh on the scene and reminiscent of a more old school vibe all the while setting the pace and mood for this record. The caliber of rowdiness is matched by the opening few lines by Cracker who delivers with his unique blend of laid back delivery with a presence of raw energy. This is the way to open an album. Although 2 Late's beats have more of an old school sound, they stay fresh with his take on the more dark, dissonant, almost horror sounding effects. Unsettling but still has that stripped down groove borrowed from genres such as funk and jazz, pulled through a time machine and delivered to our ears with Cracker as the conductor narrating this drug fuelled musical journey.
Cracker Jon - Exclusive bars 1 - High Focus TV
"No Need" starts up with the smokey sounds of coughing and faint percussion followed by the naughtiest beat and funky bass-line to get your neck cracking. Before being able to fully adjust to the phatness of this beat, Cracker comes in to keep you on your toes...
"I don't need a starting punchline, cuz I could never be arsed. Its an idiots irrelevant task, something you do to develop your bars... "
Another banger and we've only just started. The strings that drop later in the track just add that element of menace to the beat, showing that as a duo, their individual dynamics give each other that extra weight that elevates this above the norm.
"What You Prefer" has an eerie, sci-fi vibe to the beat switching up what we have heard so far. Enter Cracker...
"I don't like responsibilities when I'm at work, To sit at home and get stoned is what I prefer,
I bet you all relate to this even if you haven't had a job it's probably because you're lazy and a slob,
I want a massive wad of cash so I can get on the lash pull a fat amount of slags to come back to my pad,
But at the moment in the future if I pull a lass, then I'll be taking her home to my cosy council flat..."
Throughout this one he is brutally honest about his feelings towards working for a living, the government and other aspects of every day life. Dj Sammy B-Side finishes this one off nicely with some precise cuts.
The Funk Off
"The Funk off" is the first track on the album to feature guest artists. Sly Moon, Dubble O, Smellington Piff and Eric Da Red all complement the funky style of the beat on this track and fit perfectly with Cracker's crazy style. We get a nice long intro of raw funky bass that would have fit perfectly in a smokey club somewhere long ago yet still sounds at home in modern Hip Hop today. Every one adds their own unique style to the track making this one stand out. Malice in Wonderland provides the visuals for the video, an animated trip best described as Alice in Wonderland on Acid. We wouldn't advise watching it under the influence of hallucinogens.
Dank
"Dank" was the first video to drop from the album and gave us a great first taste of what's to come. It opens with the beat quickly slowing to a halt like the sound of vinyl stopping on a turntable, and then bursting back into action with rolling percussion in the background and sub heavy bass. This tune displays clearly his ability to tell a story without having too prepare, being comfortable and confident in his ability all the while never succumbing to the various superficial pressures in the music industry. The trippy visuals on the video are provided by Tom Jarrett.
The opening to "Obnoxious" takes me back to my youth, a sound that has kept me listening to Hip Hop ever since. From the vocal and various instrument samples to the beat and bass, everything about this beat works. Dirty Dike is up first and as usual, makes the disgusting and disturbing sound both funny and clever at the same time. His last bar is next level and proves why he is one of the UK's best.
"Chuck my plumbs in the sky, and smack them with my penis, Jesus, the definition of what cheese is, Thick pusy wedged up compressed lump of genius.."
Lee Scott takes the second verse followed by Cracker in the third. This track is easily one of our favourites right now. But that will no doubt change as we listen to more.
Cracker Jon - Exclusive Bars 2 - High Focus TV
"Cant Sleep" has one of those bass lines that just zones you out with its awesomeness. 2 Late seems to be able to adapt to any situation and provides the perfect sound for every track featured on this release. Cracker has no problem taking this one solo proving he has the talent to make it on his own.
Big Owl makes his first appearance on "Got the Style". Another banging intro from 2 Late with that classic boom bap sound followed by Cracker and Fliptrix riding this one back to back, a nice way to switch up the format.
"All The Places" slams straight into a hypnotic beat from 2 Late who continues to impress and makes it real hard to chose a favourite. Cracker is slowly faded into the track and snaps you out of the trance caused by the intro. His hard and diverse lyrics fit the mood of the beat and show us why he has earned a place on the High Focus team.
"The way I deliver my script, makes it usually very difficult to predict so you can only imagine what other thoughts are going through my head when I spit, Aint got time to think of limericks or something quick for the rich..."
Cracker Jon - Exclusive Bars - Less Effort
The intro to "That Time" starts with a solo sax accompanied shortly after by Leaf Dog....
"The Beats banging like it should be, Is it that time well it could be, If you're willing start the Zugg billing while the ink pots spilling...."
The hook sums up this tune. "The beats banging like it should be..", and Deformed Wing definitely knows what he is taking about when it comes to banging beats. Its full of floaty, jazzy samples giving a more chilled vibe than most of the beats on the album but at the same time doesn't sound out of place. Leaf Dog fits perfectly with this style and delivers the goods as always. Cracker's verse is equally as impressive making this another stand out track from the release.
In my opinion, Smellingon Piff seems to gel with Cracker better than any one else featured on the record and "Shut Ya Mouth" shows us why. Like "That Time", the beat is heavily jazz influenced with a real smooth chilled vibe for the emcees to tear up. Its a nice way to wind down the album, but its still as relentless as the rest of the tracks, never letting up for even a second and has a surprisingly dark twist at the end. Definitely a highlight of the album for both the beat and the bars.
BVA, FLIPTRIX and CRACKER JON - It's a Mad World
Capping off the album entirely is the second feature from Fliptrix. The High Focus don is always welcome on any feature as he is known for his high energy, consistently exemplary performance and unmatched dedication to his craft. Both emcees bring it to the table with the sharpest wit and make it look easy. The smooth keys, dissonant effects and up beat drums brings us back full circle to the opening track with the pacing and energy, intentional or not, this rounds off the album perfectly.
Throughout this album we found ourselves reminded of the producers we used to listen to when we were growing up. Its clear that 2 Late has done his homework and has some serious knowledge of the styles and genres that helped build hip hop and with Cracker's fresh approach to a non liners style of emcee-ing and controlling the vibe of each track with his own brand of hard lyrics that you will be chanting at the top of your voices throughout the summer. The album features a massive 19 tracks, plenty of heavy weight guest emcees and is a must have for fans of raw Hip Hop. It is available now on a variety of formats and you can get them from the links bellow. Both artists fully delivered and have cemented their place on the High Focus Team.
