Butter Fly - Lee Scott - A Dirty Dike Production

When it comes to UKHH, Lee Scott has been a big part of the movement for some time. With numerous releases and rap battles under his belt, Lee Scott has been putting the work in ever since he first emerged on the scene as an eighteen year old. The Northern rapper is back once again with Butter Fly - A Dirty Dike production. Dike seems to be becoming as potent with his beats as he is with his tongue. This time he takes a jazzy approach when it comes to making the beats which is the perfect match for Lee Scott's relaxed delivery and fascinating story telling. When two artists of this high-calibre are teaming up you have every right to be excited. So sit back, relax and enjoy as we describe the buttery goodness that is Butter Fly.

Butter Fly

Setting the tone for the upcoming release, Butter Fly is the opening track and the first song to receive an official video. Lee Scott's laid back, smooth delivery opens the album up in the best way possible. The track is a great example of what's to come and the perfect promotional tool for the album. Dikes production is effective in accentuating Lee Scott's bars and over all vibe for the introduction to the album. Check the video link above. Don't Make Me is the next song to get a video and opens with eerie, atmospheric ambiance and effects followed by a sick bass. It's easy to loose yourself in the bass alone, but backed with Lee Scott's opening, off key hook and equally hypnotic verses, we have instant gold. Easily a favourite and sure to be nodding heads worldwide. You can check the video out bellow.

Money Grip starts with a vocal sample and a beautiful jazz piano really showcasing Dikes vast knowledge of music and his ability to find the perfect sound to accompany the mood of the emcee. Lee Scott tears this track apart with a flow so chilled you can't help but admire how well he can set the tone of a track with the way he expresses himself vocally. Big props to Lee Scott and Dirty Dike for this one. Walking The Walk is next and is full of floaty, jazzy sounds from the Dikestar. Again Lee Scott smashes the verse showing us why he is one of the best in the game and how he is still getting better after all this time. It's easy for an artist to become complacent when they have a wining formula, but Lee seems to his step up his already exceptional technique with each release. This track works on every level, from Dikes ever evolving production skills to Lee Scott's impeccable flow and sharp tongue.

We get a nice long trippy intro for Manatee Rap laying the foundations for a beat that completely switches up what we have heard so far. A great way to change up the sound but still keeping the same chilled pace. Lee kicks it off with a nicely laired hook changing up the pitch of his voice blending perfectly with the mood set from Dikes beat. This one ends with a great South Park sample that many of you will recognise.  After a short sci-fi-esque intro, Spaced bursts into life with a beat full of jazzy swagger and sick cutz. Tremendous story telling form Lee Scott as we here a tale of how he wants to leave our planet to be somewhere less destructive. Great lyrics and one of the best beats to feature on the release. Watch TV starts with an old TV/radio sample followed by an entrancing, moody beat and more sick cutz. This time we hear Lees views on how TV dumbs down and effects the world distracting us from real life. 

The beat for Eight O'Clock In The Morning has a slight sense of fear and urgency created from the well structured intro. When the the beat drops complete with creepy chanting and slick snares, Lee seems only happy to give his bars an extra dark twist to accompany the beat. Another great example of how well these to blend. Sell Drugs seems to capture the old school hip hop sound from both artists with Dikes use of piano keys and bass mixed with Lees lyrical ability as he smashes the story telling again here. I don't think I need to explain what this one is about. Another banger. Everything Is Money completely changes up the mood with slower sounding tempo, choice of samples and heavy, heavy bass line. The intro sample that is the back bone of this beat just sounds so damn good and stays with you long after hearing it. You will find your self whistling and humming this one for weeks.    

"Don't pick a bone with a man with more skeletons than clothes,

it's a good job I keep my company sucker free,

a luxury brand of buttery slang,

a summery, when you're this fresh every thing comes for free....."

Don't Tell Me is another instant classic as Lee Scott demonstrates his ability to drastically switch up his flow mid song and make it sound easy. The lyrical content is just as impressive and is backed by amazing use of guitar samples on the beat from Dike. Again, everything just seems to gel together so well. The closing track for the album once again brings something different, full of harmonic, comical lyrics from Lee Scott and more sick guitar samples and laid back beat from Dike. Another one that stays with you constantly playing over in your head. We have got a lot of love for Butter Tits here at Locality Reviews. A fitting way to wrap this one up.

As you may have guessed, when we first learned we would be reviewing a Lee Scott album for High Focus Records we were instantly excited. But when we found out it was part 2 of the Dirty Dike Production series, excitement and expectation levels went through the roof. Here we have two artists with an arsenal of musical achievements between them putting out a record of the highest standard. We assure you that Butter Fly will not disappoint. Lee Scott has the advantage of years of experience behind him as an emcee which has given him the time to fully master his signature style and delivery backed up with the dopest lyrical content. Dirty Dike seems to be on fire with his production right now, everything from the records he is using to sample to the smooth drum breaks is pure gold and shows us how much his skills have developed in such a short time. The two of them together have exceeded everything we anticipated and have blown this one out the water. Don't sleep on this, get your self a copy of Butter Fly as soon as you can get your hands on it. Released 27th April 2015. Pre order bellow.    

   

Pre Order CD http://bit.ly/19M1RkH

Pre Order Limited Edition Vinyl http://bit.ly/1MFHtnw

Pre Order Digital http://bit.ly/1NDT1Tn

Lee Scott Twitter https://twitter.com/tinfoilfronts
Lee Scott Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tinfoilfronts
Lee Scott Instagram https://instagram.com/tinfoilfronts/

Dirty Dike Twitter http://www.twitter.com/DirtyDikeSMB
Dirty Dike Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Dirtydikesmb
Dirty Dike Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DirtyDike

High Focus Records www.high-focus.com
High Focus TV Youtube http://bit.ly/1xuR8Gj

Reviewed by Double S and NDLC.

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. 

https://themouseoutfit.bandcamp.com/album/step-steadier-2

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/step-steadier/id970115176

http://www.themouseoutfit.com/

https://www.facebook.com/themouseoutfit

https://twitter.com/themouseoutfit

Review by Double S

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. 

  

Facebook - FilthyFunkUK

Twitter - @FilthyFunkUK

Reviewd by Double S and N.D.L.C.

Facebook - TheLocalityShow

Twitter - Locality reviews

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. 

The Four Owls - Natural Order Album Review

  This is the one we have all been waiting for. Ever since "Natures Greatest Mystery" The Owls have had massive success both as a unit and as solo artists. Over the past three years that followed the last album the group have been dropping solo projects and touring the world helping to raise the profile of the ever evolving High Focus record label and the whole UK Hip Hop movement. During the many live shows they have been doing over the last few years we have been teased with new music and the promise of a new album, the wait is now over and The Four Owls have gone all out on this one. "Natural Order" is set to make another massive impact for The Owls and with the quality of the the content through out, rightly so.

 After an impressive debuet album the pressure is on to back it up with something special and they mange to do that in style. Not only is this easily their best work to date but they managed to secure America's king of hip hop production Dj Premier to produce "Think Twice",  the second single to be released ahead of the album. This is special with in its own right for so many reason and shows us how far they have come and elevated their game. UK Hip Hop has had a big resurgence over the past 3 Years and it is no coincidence that "Natures Greatest Mystery" dropped around the same time so we are excited to see what happens now. They have helped create the buzz around UKHH and now it seems to be the perfect time to drop some thing new and blow all of our minds again. A task they seem to execute to perfection not only with the lyrical content but with the beats too.  Here are our first impressions.

  The album opens up with Rice Torture and after a brief guitar and organ riff we are reintroduced to the kind of presence only The Owls can bring. Leaf Dog brings the bars first, followed quickly by BVA. The beat is centred around organ and brass samples with that phat production sound that has made Leaf Dogs style so distinctive and loved all around the world. Fliptrix takes the next bars leaving Verb T to play us out. If this track is anything to judge the rest of the album by, the next fifteen tracks will be a breeze to review.

Silent Flight EP - iTunes Download

 We don't need to say much about this tune, as we're sure you've already got a copy of it. If not, we've provided the official video to 'Silent Flight' above and a link to the iTunes download of the EP that includes 'Old Earth' and instrumentals for both. The trippy visuals feature the the Owls in their true form as animator EZPZ manages to capture the personas of each emcee. Next it's 'Feels Great' and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Uplifting and full of that summer time vibe that everyone craves. This tune heavily promotes positivity and good living through the simple things in life and highlights how grateful the Owls are for all their fans support.

                                  Think Twice ( featuring DJ Premier) - Bandcamp Download

                                          Think Twice 12" Pre Order - High Focus Records

  The second single to be released from this LP is 'Think Twice' featuring the legendary producer from the US, DJ Premier. We have already put up a post about this release but feel we need to reiterate how insanely huge this colab is. DJ Premier is known worldwide as one of the best beat makers associated with hip hop having worked with an impressive array of artists over the years but is most renowned for his work with Guru under the name Gangstar. The Owls have presented us with one of the best UK/US crossovers we have have ever heard and this is sure to bring them even more worldwide recognition. You can pre order a limited edition 12" of the single including a remix from Leaf Dog, another track from the album, instrumentals for all three tracks and an acapella of 'Think Twice'. This, of course comes highly recommended. As expected the Owls fully hang with Premier on this one and it is easily a stand out track on the album.

  Not to be outdone by the gravitas of the previous banger, Leaf Dog follows it up perfectly with 'Pay The Price', a beat so nod worthy it is sure to send a few brares to hospital with whiplash. You can literally feel every pluck of the jazzy bass line and Leaf demonstrates excellent sample work with cleverly placed piano and vocal chants.

"If your getting to big for your boots, then you pay the price.

 Never man up and wanna tell the truth, then you pay the price.

 Always coming up with an excuse, then you pay the price.

 You pay the price. Then you pay the price."

  Everything so far has banged and this next one doesn't let up. Smooth bass and trumpets are swallowed up by the Owls on 'Defiant'. In the hook the owls go into detail about being resilient in the face of adversity and how they are constantly evolving as artists. The verses back this up and give us an insight into the owls growing up and the roads they took that helped lead them to where they are now. Next we have "Control" and the beat has a mellow vibe giving the album more depth when it comes to the moods of the tracks and this is awesome. Leaf Dog reminds us why it's important not to become complacent in your style, to continue to give the fans more variety resulting in a more dynamic arrangement of beats. The Owls take a slightly more relaxed approach to their delivery on this one matching the beat perfectly and this is finished off with a sick hook. Another banger in the bag.  The Four Elements snaps us out of the mellow mood provided from the last song with a stomper that bursts straight into life accompanied by Leaf Dog on the first verse. Using story telling as their weapon of choice each Owls take on the form of one of the four elements. 

'Dawn Of A New Day' is the first song on the release to feature a guest MC. Smellington Piff (The Vulture) joins the gang on this one showing us why he is signed to RLD Records and the respect that he and the Owls have for each other. Verb T opens up the track with his signature laid back style alluding to his personal opinion on what it is to sell out, followed by Fliptrix who immediately demands your attention with the words, "Many man are up in the manor, Chatting bollocks, acting like they cop the product, but they never open their wallet." Leaf Dog is up next utilizing clever wordplay from the get go; "We're here to help the movement like muscle therapy, with more stoneheads than an old cemetery". BVA comes in next with a sharp, veracious deliverance explaining why the Owls are at the top of their game and how he believes they cannot be touched on the scene right now (which we totally agree with). This is all wrapped up nicely with tight bars dropped by the guest emcee Smellington Piff who closes the track with a perfect quote "...When they're dead and gone ain't nobody gonna remember them. When we're dead and buried the music will resurrect us.... The early bird will get the worm, Fours Owls and the vulture watch the tables turn." A great track to showcase the first guest feature emcee.

  When you read the words "Featuring Dirty Dike", you know there is a good chance that the track will be A - a banger and B- probably going to be a lot harder than the tracks that proceeded it. All boxes are ticked in "Assassination". The beat matches the aggy vibe of the track and all five emcees fully smash it. Instead of going into to much detail and spoil it for you, we thought we would give you each emcees opening bar to wet your appetite, and no more. Just trust us, this track is fully sick!

" Step inside the building and I'm walking like a killer,

Looking for the others thinking that no one is iller ,

Wrapping up the bodies then I lock them in the chiller,

 Falling like Frazier when he lost it in manila."

Verb T

  "So sharp I cut silk in the river leave your head gone before you see a shadowy figure."

Leaf Dog

"Slay with tongue, not the type to wave a gun, hit your pressure points walk away calm don't run."

BVA

"I'm killing slappers kids animals and rappers, 

Casual as a bag of balls slapping off your sagpus."

Dirty Dike

"I assassinate lacerate and decapitate, hack you up with raggo rage wrap you up in some gaffa tape"

Fliptix.

 Assassinate really does step it up and everyone performs to the highest level. This is seriously good. We also wanted to say that Fliprix displays so much skill in his delivery throughout this one and switching the pace at the end, making it sound easy. As the track finishes we jump into the organ intro for "Ain't like that" which switches the beat up instantly giving a more funky and feel good effect to the song. In this one we take a trip down memory lane with the owls as we hear how things used to be. Loving the beat and feel on this one, a great example of the sound we have come accustomed to and love, when the Owls make music together.

   After an ambient intro the beat drops straight in with 'The Drama', a jazz infused guitar/keys riff and swung out drums with a hook that perfectly sums up the theme of this track. Drama is going to happen no matter what, how we chose to deal with it is ultimately what shapes us. Each Owl gives us an example of how they chose to handle situations that they have faced, and may have deterred them from moving onwards if handled differently. 'Open Book' is the third and final track to feature a guest emcee and who else to help wrap up the second half of an already banging album than Jam Baxter. After the release of his last album "... So We Ate Them Whole", its a welcoming surprise to hear more of him and the synergy created between both the Owls and Baxter. 'Open Book' has a lovely twangy guitar sample completed with ethereal vocal harmonies that give the track a great soulful vibe and give us yet another example of how much variety the Owls have to offer.The intensity is ramped up with the next track 'Judgement', it opens with a thick violin section bringing in a heavy melody guaranteed to get you up and skankin' across your kitchen (or where ever it is you hear this.) With lyrics describing their views on the divides within societies and the cause and effect of being judged on the things you wear, music you listen to etc, the Owls bring us a vivid portrait of something we have either witnessed first hand ourselves, or at the very least can relate to.

 Old Earth was featured as a B-side of the first single to be release and if you've already purchased this, then you'll know that it features the instrumental for both tracks. We have provided a link with 'Silent Flight' towards the beginning of this album review for the iTunes download of the EP and you can check the video above. The Owls manage to close this epic release with a track so very different from everything we've heard up to this point. The versatility hasn't let up for a single moment and this last track 'Motivation' poses to ask you a question; what motivates us? Whether we do it for the right or wrong reasons, they praise those dedicated to their craft. A nice chilled one to end on a release that raises the bar exponentially.

  It really is an exciting time to be a fan of UKHH and these guys have been at the forefront of the movement for the last few years. The year has barely started and already we are presented with something that is sure to top all of the "best of 2015" lists for UKHH. This album fully backs up all the hype and will not disappoint if like us you have been eagerly awaiting this one. Everyone has stepped it up on the album, every thing is perfectly balanced when it comes to the tracks and we are expecting this to be a big hit. You can catch the second leg of the Natural Order album tour as soon as they announce more dates and we highly recommend seeing them live. The shows are always highly energetic and the group are just as good on stage as they are in the studio. We don't need to tell you how much you need this in your collection, the last two singles speak volumes and should be enough to tempt you into a pre order. If not, there is something very, very wrong with you.

Pre-Order Natural Order-limited edition vinyl
Bandcamp Natural Order DL pre-order 

Reviewed by Double S and NDLC.


 

Think Twice - The Four Owls - Produced by DJ Premier

 The Four Owls have been taking over the UKHH scene for sometime. Since Natures Greatest Mystery the Owls have been on a roller coaster ride with the ever expanding High Focus Records and also finding success with solo albums. Between that and touring the country they have managed to put the work in for  new album 'Natural Order', due to drop February 2015. On the album they have teamed up with USA's finest Hip Hop producer and living legend DJ Premier, giving us the greatest UK/USA hip hop team up we have ever seen. Primo needs no introduction to any true follower of Hip Hop. He is easily the best that America has to offer and has been making beats for years now and is widely known for his work as one half of the legendary Hip Hop group 'Gangstar". DJ Premier's production skills are notorious world wide and he has exclusively produced 'Think Twice' for the new Four Owls album. The single is out now and you can grab it and the instrumental from the link bellow. There is also a link to pre-order a limited edition 12inch that includes 'Think Twice', a Leaf Dog Remix of the single, another track from the up coming album, instrumentals for all three tracks and an acapella of the title track. This comes highly recommended for all you hip hop fans and vinyl junkies. We don't have to tell you how big this is, just look at who is involved. The track opens up with a short introduction from the king of hip hop production then drops into his instantly recognizable 'Primo' style beat complete with cutz. Leaf Dog, Fliptrix, BVA and Verb T all give this absolute banger the justice it deserves with amazing bars and delivery.

This is a testament to how far the Owls have come and proof that they are among the few who are able to carry the torch across seas, showing the rest of the world what the UK is capable of. All rappers should aspire to one day be fortunate enough to work with DJ Premier, this is now a reality for The Four Owls and us their loyal fans. Get the download and pre-order now.

12" Limited Edition Pre-Order