For those of you that simply can't wait for the new Mouse Outfit album to drop, Sparkz has got you covered with a new three track EP he has just dropped on bandcmp for free download or name your price. As always we suggest you show your love and donate when you download. Angel One is the first of a three self produced EP's from Sparkz who seems to have talent at creating beats as well as sick bars. Big up Sparkz for helping his fans pass the time as they wait eagerly for Step Steadier.
Tuesday 10 March 2015
Sparkz - Angel One EP - Free Download
For those of you that simply can't wait for the new Mouse Outfit album to drop, Sparkz has got you covered with a new three track EP he has just dropped on bandcmp for free download or name your price. As always we suggest you show your love and donate when you download. Angel One is the first of a three self produced EP's from Sparkz who seems to have talent at creating beats as well as sick bars. Big up Sparkz for helping his fans pass the time as they wait eagerly for Step Steadier.
The Mouse Outfit - Step Steadier
Escape Music is one of my favourite hip hop albums of all time so as you can imagine I have very high expectations for this one. The Mouse Outfit are everything we at Locality Reviews love about hip hop. If you have been lucky enough to catch one of their breathtaking live performances you will know that not only do they have an incredible selection of Emcees but they also incorporate the use of live instruments to fully enhance the overall experience.
The Mouse Outfit live at Boom Bap HH festival 2012
Having seen them live before I can tell you that as good as this video is, it doesn't do them justice. The Mouse Outfit are known for electric live performances that just suck the audience in with the raw energy of the band and their trademark sound, and the music they produce in the studio is just the same. Escape music made a real big impression on us because not only are the Emcees and producers very good at what they do, but they also don't focus on dark topics, violence, money and all the other bad stuff a lot of mainstream hip hop can be polluted with. This is how we think hip hop should be, music that makes you feel good instead of angry. For those that don't know, the Mouse Outfit are a nine piece band and super production team centred around Chini on keys, Pitch on percussion/MPC and Deffy on bass. I kind of feel that the producers take a slightly different approach to production than other HH producers, looking at how they can incorporate instruments into the live show. But this is just pure speculation and true or not, whatever they are doing works. Dr Syntax, Sparkz, Truthos Mufasa and Dubbul O are all back for the new album alongside some fresh faces. Verb T is one of the new emcees to appear on the album so already you should be excited. That takes nothing away from Syntax and Sparx who are both personal favourites, it is just nice to see a couple of new faces added to the mix. Another thing I love about the MO is how you get a lot of variety in the music they put out. Step Steadier is no different to Escape Music in that respect, lots of variety and all of it is good.
The album opens with no intro, they just drop straight into a fresh banger and instantly, the worry of a one time fluke album is gone. Five seconds into the release I know it is going to be a hit. The Mouse outfit have a very unique sound and seem to have a great knowledge of music when it comes to production. No Stoppin' This gives us a new twist on a familiar sample, produced by Pitch and accompanied by Sparkz and Truthos Mufasa who both tear it up with remarkable technique. A great opening track reminding me why I love their music so much. Track two sees the first appearance from Verb T who is on fire at the moment after recently dropping a new album with his group The Four Owls. Verb is a welcome addition to an already glowing roster of talent and he delivers to the highest level fitting perfectly with the Mouse Outfit signature sound here on Credits Roll. The track opens with a funky plucked bass followed shortly by the drop and Verb kicks into action with the hook. Another solid track and as stated earlier it is good to hear the Mouse Outfit expanding the list of MC's they roll with. It is also the first song from the album to get an official video, check it out bellow.
Credits Roll Oficial Video
Bye Bye is up next with a nice jazzy intro followed by a pure head nodding beat, Sparkz rides this one solo and shows us why he has earned his place in the UK's funkiest Hip Hop group. Good use of strings over the hook from Pitch helping give the chorus an extra boost and creates an element of suspense as we wait eagerly for Sparkz to drop his next verse. Next we have the title track from the album Step Steadier, this one is produced by Chini and Pitch and has one of the funkiest bass hooks you will ever hear. This is blended with some bongos, followed by a crisp snare in a sweet drum loop. Fox takes the bars over this funky beat and already we have more variety in just four tracks than you would get on some entire releases. Fox does the title track real justice making this a stand out track, as the title track should be.
Track five brings us even more variety with the choice of samples used, a sitar brings Power to life followed by a highly energetic performance from Sparkz and Truthos Mufasa. This seems to help almost raise the, not tempo but vibe of the tracks that proceeded it. We can imagine this one rocking parties for a long time. Greatest Story brings the tempo down slightly with a great summery beat complete with synth sounds and Verb T smashing the beat in a double time fashion. Verb really is at the top of his game and delivers a flawless performance here letting us know that right now, UKHH is in good hands. Sip A Bit Of Rum brings the tempo up again slightly with a real nice sounding hip hop break that gets absolutely decimated by Sparkz and Fox. Real party rocker right here and already I feel this album will be a must have for all Hip Hop DJ's. Who's Up Next? is the first track to feature a personal favourite of mine for a long time, Dr Syntax. The track also features Sparkz, Truthos Mufasa, Dubbul O, Cutterz and a beautiful beat from Pitch. Nuff said!
Verb T and Sparkz in the Mouse Outfit studio
The piano loop used in Time perfectly sets the scene for Ellis Meade to make his Mouse Outfit introduction. He hangs with thew crew with ease using a delivery that is a superb compliment for the beat produced by Pitch. 007 gives Chini the chance to shine on production and he delivers the goods massively with a beat that has elements of so many different music styles and will defiantly get some comparisons to the style of Who Gwan Test from the last album, but this is a good thing. Easily a massive favourite for me and I can't wait to see it performed live. Fox, Sparkz, Jman and Tman take to the booth for this one and ride out the Dub/Ska influenced monster of a beat from Chini, this one is big. The Answer gives Dr Syntax and Pitch the chance to take us on another musical adventure that we have all been craving ever since the last album. It's so easy to get lost in the hypnotic sound of this duo. A real laid back vibe from both artists here helping to give this collection of hip hop gems more depth and extra flavour. Track twelve and it is time to Wrap Another Zoot with Fox, something that would go had in hand with this. A zoot would be the only thing to compliment this song and is highly recommended be for listening to this, sit back, light up and fully loose your self.
No Wonder has a real sweet beat with sharp kicks, snares, tight bass and piano keys all laid out in perfect arrangement for Sparkz to work his magic with one of the sickest flows in UKHH today. Verb T and Pitch are teamed up again and the result is more musical gold. Real deep beat that fits Verb to perfection. If I was forced to pick only one track from this album as an absolute best of the selection, I would have to pick Up To Scratch. Although picking one track from this album as a best is no easy task with how incredible all the songs are. But track fifteen just manages to raises the bar that little bit more with a smooth Dub approach to the beat and Syntax cramming in more (audible) words per bar than I thought humanly possible. Syntax is one of the best at what he does as far as I am concerned and showcases his skill here on a track I can imagine blowing up gigs, festivals and parties for a long time to come. A nice chilled song to finish as Sparkz and Dubbul O play us out over a chilled arrangement of piano keys and other jazzy instruments on Saga. Pure bliss and a superb way to close another banging release from the Mouse Outfit.
I can't possibly show enough love for this release. If we had a rating system it would set a new record. The sheer amount of variety and outstanding content that is featured on this album is enough to set this up as an early candidate for HH album of the year. The Mouse Outfit really have delivered the goods yet again and are set to make a big impact with Step Steadier.The album will get a Cd and Digital release on the 12th of March 2015 and will get a vinyl release a few weeks after. I have also been told that they are repressing Escape Music which is good news for all the MO fans and vinyl junkies that missed it the first time round. Step Steadier comes with the highest of recommendations from Locality Reviews, get the album and go see them live when ever they are playing near you. Big up the Mouse Outfit.
Review by Double S
Monday 9 March 2015
Filthy Funk - Funkin Hell
Filthy Funk are here with their debut release Funkin Hell and it's a banger. This one kind of caught us off guard in a good way. Having only heard and enjoyed the duo's grime work we were pleasantly surprised to find out that this is a Hip Hop album. Filthy Funk are Dotz and Peterz, most of you will know Dotz from Don't Flop and the grime heads will know them both from the grime collective Blueprint who had success with the Blueprint Planet EP. Dotz has collabed with a lot of emcees over the years and seems to work really well here with Peterz on this 22 track album that Dotz recorded, mixed and mastered himself for the first time in his new studio that is the result of a successful kickstarter campaign. They use a variety of producers throughout the 22 track release which really helps to make each track have its own character.
The album opens with Fuck An Introduction, it starts with a heavy hip hop break produced by Faulty Clicks. It is full of organ stabs and tight cuts giving an energetic build to the start of the release. Dotz and Peterz hit this one in back to back fashion displaying their unique synergy and sound. Long Time Coming sneaks in nicely as if being carefully dropped by a DJ. The instrument used in the sample is hard to describe but sounds real pleasing to the ear and is cut up well by Faulty Clicks. Dotz takes the first with Peterz on the second. Two tracks in and I am loving what I am hearing so far. Stampede changes the tone slightly with a grimey approach to the production from Phocus and with the delivery displayed from the Filthy Funk duo. A great way to add more variety to the release.
"We keep it gully, gully up on these dam streets
Every time we jump on a rhythm we cause stampede,
We keep it gully, gully up on these dam beats,
Every time we jump on a rhythm we cause a stampede."
Nobodies Fault is up next and again we have another example of production masterclass, this time coming from Ritchy Spitz. Real nice old skool sound on the beat yet it manages to still sound modern at the same time. Over this beat Peterz and Dotz tell stories of heart ache over relationships that went wrong. At this point it is clear Filthy Funk have great taste when it comes to selecting producers and beats for album. We Seem Fine starts with an eerily beautiful piano sample that builds to a real smooth hip hop beat. This time we hear about ones struggle with their own mind over a beautiful beat served up by D Seize including some nice cuts over the final hook. Track six "Gone" is again produced by D Seize and is one of our favourites from the release not only for the beat, but also the sick delivery on display as Dotz and Peterz switch up their flow throughout the verses with ease. A stand out track right here.
Filthy Funk - Back When I Was Young SBTV
Another track that immediately stands out just so happens to be the first song to get an official video. The beat seems to effectively capture that old skool hip hop vibe contributing well to the stories of youth retold by Peterz and Dotz. Loving the beat from E Hill and the bars from Filthy Funk and it is good to get an official video from the album. Check it out above. Richy Spitz takes full advantage of another chance to shine with his production on Burn Em Up whilst Peterz and Dotz obliterate this epic beat stacking up the pile of bangers on Funkin Hell. Thinking Again is next and starts with a nice snippet of what I assume is the track that Elbe Kim used to construct this monster rhythm. Peterz and Dotz continue to impress and seem to have really evolved as artists showing that they can fully hold their own when it comes to Hip Hop and Grime. Natrill, who also battles for Don't Flop features on the track and fits in nicely. It is obvious that they put as much time into researching producers as they did writing and perfecting the bars for the album. Tell Us What You Know is another shining example of this, both the performance and bars from the guys and the beat from D Seize are all spot on again.
"They told us that they love us now they telling us they don't,
They told us that we gone make it now the telling us we won't,
They told us it was certain now their telling us to hope
but don't tell us what you think fam just tell us what you know."
Here we hear about the graft, focus and devotion it takes to chase your passion and make it in the rap industry. Filthy Funk seem to be content on making it hard for us to find something we don't like about the album. In track eleven we are educated on the views of Dotz and Peterz when it comes to the music they are making and how they would rather make music from the heart, than sell out for the promise of riches.
"Yo I don't want so much money that I don't know how to spend it,
to the point it makes a person resent it and ends a friendship, I Just,
want to have enough to live a normal life,
with normal kids and normal wife informal is what I like."
A good way of looking at things instead of letting greed take over, and another banging beat from D Seize. Sporadic Shots is the next track and opens with some sick cutz and a neck snapping beat from Pro P. Wordsmith and Natrill join the crew for this one and help to add a little more spice to the release, not that it needed it but it works and is welcomed. Another stand out track for us at Locality Reviews.
Don't Talk To Me is next and features a familiar sounding sample with epic strings from Duggi Beats as Dotz and Peterz fully entertain us with a tale of hanging hard after a heavy night out, something we can all relate to. Very good all round. Track fourteen is equally good when it comes to the lyrical content. Dotz, Peterz and Wordsmiff fully tear up Clown Syndrome with rhymes about general wastemen. Through the hook D.Seize steps up the crazy sounding whistles with samples that to us, sound like circus music and seems to emphasise the element of fun that obviously went into writing the bars for this really funny track. Pot Luck sees the return of Faulty Clicks with a heavy banger of a beat. Big kicks, crisp sounding snares and a cut up electro sounding sample provide the heartbeat for the track all the while Dotz and Peterz are caught up in a car chase that rivals any Hollywood film, trying to avoid causing chaos and failing miserably. The punchine and the whole song will have you in stitches, as it did us.
Still keeping the humour high Stupid Shit follows up quickly with another tight production from D.Seize with Dotz and Peterz barring exactly what it says on the tin.
Filthy Funk - Silent Hill SBTV
The next track Silent Hill has a fresh video that (as we write this) dropped just last night. Check the pure fire above. Featuring Pete Cannon on production, this is usually where we say nuff said. One Day featuring Flo on the hook sees Don Pipers debut on the album completely tearing up the summer vibe with that classic Motown sound. Lovely work on production. Flo is back to bless the hook for a second time on Toke accompanied by a chilled, jazzy approach on the beat complete with perfect intro from D.Seize and we hear Dotz and Peterz pay homage to that sweet, sweet peng.
Track 20,
Sit down and make sure you stay down pussies,
you man are fucking with a bunch of playground bullies,
were taking your lunch money and your mates clown cookies
you should make your way back into the playhouse rookies.
You get the idea for this one right? Sick beat from Phocus and featuring Big Red on the bars. Phocus smashes out another banger of a beat on We The People and we have some lyrics designed to make you think focusing on how people need to come together for mutual gain and need to learn that we are all equal. The album is rounded up with Positive/Negative/Negative /Positive, a deep one from Dotz, Peterz and Faulty Clicks. Beautiful beat and intriguing lyrics to wrap this one up.
I have to say we had a lot of fun reviewing this, some high quality production from all the producers involved and an outstanding performance throughout from both Peterz and Dotz. This album has every thing from deep stuff to really funny shit, we honestly laughed a hell of a lot while writing this review. It is backed up by a solid collection beats and some guest appearances from feature emcees over a massive 22 tracks. This comes highly recommended from us at Locality Reviews and this gem will be available for free down load on Bandcamp as soon as the link goes live on the 22nd of March. Big up Filthy Funk and massive respect on this highly impressive debut album. Follow Filthy Funk on Facebook and Twitter for links to the down load as soon as it is evaluable.
Reviewd by Double S and N.D.L.C.
Sunday 1 March 2015
The Four Owls SBTV videos and High Focus 5th Birthday party details.
The Four Owls seem to be on fire at the moment. The gang have recently dropped their new album Natural Order that has hit the number one spot of hip hop sections on multiple download sites and features Think Twice, produced by legendary Hip Hop producer DJ Premier. If that wasn't enough the Owls are back again with fresh material featured on five SBTV videos that recently dropped. Fliptix, Leaf Dog, BVA and Verb T all get the chance to shine in a solo video and the special series of videos is rounded off with a performance from the group together as the Owls. Check the fire bellow.
Verb T Skooled By Bars
BVA Still Slippin Live Performance
Fliptrix Skooled By Bars 2015
Leaf Dog Skooled By Bars
We are also fast approaching the High Focus 5th birthday party. The Fourth Birthday was easily the best gig I attended in 2014 so I have high expectations this year and looking at the line up, it will be hard for them not to deliver. For those of you that registered for early tickets you now have the chance to grab your tickets before they are released to the general public on the 3rd of March. It looks like full line up includes the whole High Focus rosta and many more UKHH artists including a personal favourite of mine, The Mouse Outfit with Dr Syntax and Sparx. Room 2 also looks to be providing something special with a Garage DJ set from Dirty Dike and an RNB DJ set from Scissortongue among other acts, you can tell this gig will be a night to remember. Early Bird Tickets have already sold out so make sure you grab tickets quick to avoid disappointment. This is not to be missed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)