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
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