The sample on the introduction of 'f**k The Hook' sums it up; 'it is indeed my pleasure to introduce to you, a brother that has been around a long, long, long time'. We've been waiting for years but now Skinny's debut album has dropped. From rapping on other people's sh*t and working with Mud Fam, he has earnt a reputation as one of the UK's best MC's. But why did this album take so long? Key tracks have to be the Baby J produced anthem and single 'No Big Tings', the lyrically deep 'Love's Gone From The Streets' is quality too, as is the title (and video) track 'Council Estate Of Mind' and 'Little Man (Parts 1&2)'. It was interesting to see that there where no collobo's on his album as to be honest we would have thought Taskforce, Rodney P, Klashnekoff, Karl Hinds, Blade and or maybe Foreign Beggars would have made an appearance. On the whole it's a good solid debut, but cant help thinking it was a bit too long coming. Get this slice of UK rap history now.  

 

Making noise in his home country of Canada for a few years now, DJ Incognito has already stunned the world with his amazing debut ‘A Sample And A Drum Machine’. UK label Wolftown Recordings dropped two bangers from that album in the UK, and mans in certain boros of America know about him too.  He’s got an ill vocal tone with a sharp delivery, and to top it off he doesn’t rap any nonsense.  Positive vibes, urban tales and street commentary he makes us feel like we did when we heard Talib, Nas, OC, Masta Ace and Mos Def for the first time.  his new album is nineteen tracks deep and is the exact follow-up you’d expect.  Real Hip-Hop, non-stop all tracks impress and theirs not one bad track in there.  However theirs some real stand-out tracks well worth mentioning. ‘Out The Box’ has a certain element of raw funk with brass stabs and deep piano complimenting tight flows.  ‘ANR’ bangs on that summer bar-b-que vibe with jazz fusion’s and phat hand claps.  Other tracks ‘Wild Style’ and ;Nothing Else Matters’ hit the spot too.  It’s a real quality album you need to cop.  Any worries contact www.urbnet.com.

 

Hitting stores on November 5th the fireworks are going to be going off for UK rap fans with this seventeen track deep album release from old skool veteran and long-time Deckwrecka collaborator MC D. Released purely independently D has defiantly gone for a more urban type sound enlisting female vocalists such as Obenowa Aboah, Rosita Lynch, Nardine Charles, Tamara amongst others to give it more soulful and club-banging feel. It's hard to believe that ten years ago he was signed to Island Records and a full decade after the majors still struggle to f**k with the UK ting right. Tracks come thick and fast with some noticeable collobo's with UK artists such as The Bury Crew, Mr. Tibbs, Necco from More Fire Crew, TV personality and ex-Eastwest Records artist Richard Blackwood, General Levy and Mud Fam's Mr. Tibbs. This is a quality CD that you need to get hold off.

 

 

Hailing from Miami this emcee is tipped by some as one of the next to blow. After spittin on hundreds of mixtapes puttin in work, he finally drops his album 'Money Is A Major Issue / M.I.A.M.I'. With producers like Lil Jon involved his sound fits the current trend of club bangers and with tracks like' 305 Anthem. 'Culo' and 'That's Nasty' featuring Lil Jon and Fat Joe he's destined for big things. Fans of the 'crunk' sound will love this album, as will fans of the 'bass sound'. Its ATL meets Miami and this combination does really work. Pitbull is rockin dancers and radio stations worldwide. This album shows you why, peep for this.

 

Lewis Recordings have been making a lot of noise lately with a string of solid releases by various talented artists.  That vibe continues here with Edan's new long-player. Underground Hip-Hop vibes mixed up with jazz-funk fused atmospheric, sometimes entering into a Group Home V Barbarella type soundscape! 'I see colours' impresses as does 'Fumblin Over Words that Rhyme' are the start of tracks, although the title track is well worth checking out too. If you like Def Jux Records, Hieroglynics, Mablib should check for this and the other album we reviewed by insight. If you feel Edan and Insight to www.repondsoulmailorder.com and look at all the other titles they got poppin out.

 

New York emcee Lordroc is back with a bang with a brand new phat twenty-five track album. It's good to see him back and the album hasn't disappointed one bit. From the first track ''Who Is It U Love?' you get the instant feeling that you're hearing some special. Well produced beats, catchy female sung hooks and a deadly flow from Lordroc make this a track destined to hit the radio hard. Things get continue to keep bouncing with the huge 'The Bullet' joint and 'Roc Muzik'. Meres features on a few tracks too which are heavy too, and other cats like BL One, Red Dice, Los and Shorty Roc also feature, but note some 'big name' collobo's on here too. Hip-Hop legend Marley Marl produces 'Too Hot' which features Capone (from CNN) and Royal Flush from Wu Tang. This album is hot man and something you need to get. Lordroc is back, bwoy… and don't we know it. Quality.

 

Hardcore fans of RAGO Magazine will know we are feeling these cats for years. Let Make It Happen are back with a killer compilation of tracks proving that Harrisburg is a lot more that just the capital of Pennsylvania! Jay Allen delivers some real tight deep beats and the MC's all impress too. Sean Brox reps hard with two tracks well worth getting, 'Addicted To The Game' and 'Secrets' and DJ B.E from Nappy Roots pops up on the last joint 'Gladiator'. Our favourite track has to be the title track 'Life, Music And Paper' where Penhead spits hefty with such a tight flow. Checkout the under-rated Seldom Seen on the soulful 'A Whole Nutha World' and the superb 'Pressure' featuring Smurf (RIP) who is sadly no longer with us. On the whole it's another sik CD from a label who know what good Hip-Hop music is. Respects Diff and all the crew out there doing there thing and representing fully. Big things. 

 

This new double CD from Son Records is a great purchase for those of you who don’t know about Son, fans of UK rap or people who want all the labels classics on a nicely packed re-mastered CD.  All the hits are on here and the first CD; 1998 - 2003’ reads like a who’s who of British rap.  Appearances by old skool veterans like Black Twang, Mad Doctor X, HKB Finn, and the Brotherhood give the first CD depth. Over artist are Nottingham’s Cappo, Scorzayzee, C-Mone, Styly Cee and Lost Island, as well Def Tex from Norwich, DPF and Midstly amongst others. The second CD ‘2004’ catalogues last years releases back 2 back. Wordsmith drops ‘Sun God’ from his new album, C-Mone gives up the hot video track ‘Stan Bac’ and theirs two tracks by Styly Cee. It’s all on there, and its something you need in your collection.  There was one thing we noticed though.. there’s no Pitman tracks on there.  We didn’t let this fact upset us too much though! Go cop this.

 

There isn't many UK rap trio's as tight as rappers Ricochet & Ultra and producer Fly. This is the second album by Universal Soldiers is an excellent follow-up the 2001 release 'Street Veterans Part 1&2'. There's just something about these cats that we love, it's probably the tight beats and the professionalism and realness of the emcees. This is more of an album than the first release, in the way that it flows through with the running order working so well. As far as the music goes check 'Crime Stories', the single 'Panorama On Wax', 'Metaphysics', 'Heavyweight Product', 'Undiluted' and 'Snakes And Ladders' which are all banging UK rap tunes. We really hope this album doesn't get overlooked, as this sometimes happens to quality long-players like this. Go on the website now and just buy it. 

 

The third album from one of the UKs leading independent Hip-Hop labels comes from the ten man crew Wolftown Committee crew.  Here you get a full twenty-tracks full of cutting edge street Hip Hop.  Banging from the into 'Ready for Us' soon gets the album under way and as tracks like 'Legendary Status', 'Blast', 'A So It Go', WV1', 'Dangerous Place', and Big Batty', bump thru ya set you know its serious biznezz.  Rappers Late, 10Shott, Size8, Big Wayne, Jai Boo, Conman, High Timez, and Lee Dee bless the beats of Tricksta & Pez.  The benefit of this album is that everyone on the Wolftown UK roster get chance to shine.  It's a classic UK Hip-Hop album and something that any enthusiast of Hip-Hop music should own.  Wolftown Committee are one of UKs best crews and this CD (or double vinyl) shows ya why.  Heavy Wolftown biz.

 

Now this cat is good. Simple things this album features some tight lyrical warfare as well some well thought-out rhymes and clever metaphors. Feelin' the deep mystical sounding 'A Double L attack' which features label-mates Da Alliance who drop hefty with intricate rap deliveries. 'Starving Artistry' is a killer joint that has a Premo style beat with a killer Rakim sample making the hook. Garcia spits fire everytime but on this cut his does rip it hard with his grimy voice and hard-hitting attack. Dynas features on the title track 'Anti-Social' which is an orchestral rhythm which builds suspense ready for some hefty street sh*t. Other tracks on this album that impress are 'Miami Life', 'Lets Get Poppin' and 'Life And Entertainment' which features Heckler. On the whole it's a solid release that is well packaged and well produced. Big up DJ Efn and Garcia for holding it down and delivering the goods everytime. It's anti-social baby.  

 

This duo from Bristol, England have been putting work of late so it's good to see a CD in circulation on the underground. Kelz being the old skool veteran keeps flows tight and gets deep lyrically. If Chester P is major of London, then surely Kelz should be major of Bristol. So with producer Trz unleashing some musical tones that hit the spot with a nice selection of samples too. Feeling the self titled anthem 'Souljah Clique' which has a humorous hook, as well as the deeper and more melodic 'Street Fables' which touches on the subject of fake Yankee MC's (yes they do still exist!). Other tracks like 'Nanny Simmit' hit the spot too and the jazz fused 'Changing The Game' oozes of solid metaphors. Sirplus, Philly Tame, Oshin from 57th Dynasty and CLG also feature, so hunt this CD down and add it to your collection.

 

Ohio based crew the Mortal Miztuz have been making moves since the release of three underground CD's and opening shows for G Unit, Jadakiss, Cee-Low and Trina. From the off the album has selection of diverse styles keeping it interesting for the listener. Some of the moodier street sh*t on here like 'Dangerous' and 'Let Me Live' impress on a deeper tip, but its tracks like 'Until The Morning' and 'The Warning (Featuring Synbeatz) that are going to get these cats noticed. There is so much potential for this crew to be real big as vocally and lyrically they have a unique flavour and with quality hooks and tight production the future looks bright. Hunt this CD you need it.

Space
One Night
(Black Eye)
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Blackeye Records outta Brooklyn have been putting in a lot of work of late and this new album by Space is the label's best outing so far. Featuring a whole host of guests including Anarchist, Joon, Dee Dee, Crys, Elma Budd, Rob-in Spree, 2 Unique, Candis Blake, Darcel, Ms. Reality and skits by infamous female radio personality Wendy Williams. The inner-city sound of Brooklyn drops hard with some clever metaphors and concrete flows. Most of the tracks are worthy of radio and club play, but 'Where U At' is well DJ-friendly, where as tracks like 'Strikin On Tha Kettle' and 'Fee So Good' would be all over radio stations everywhere if Black Eye had the budgets to pay the radio pluggers. This emcee has a raw talent and a nice vocal tone that fills the speakers. Check for this album and grab it when you can, and thanks for the tee-shirts – that's always a good look when we get free sh*t.

 

British Hip-Hop producer Evil Ed has been putting in work heavily since the mid-nineties, and is best known for the beats he's made for YNR Records, Tommy Evans & Jehst.  Here the Northern beat-maker joins forces with a whole host of UK talent and drops his debut album pretty much like how skits did with 'Countryman' a few years back.  Stand out cuts are the collaborations with Yungun on 'Nico Suave', Universal Soldier 'Ricochet' impresses on 'A New Way Of Thinking but the best track on this CD has to be 'Black Stallions' by Kyza.  Sick delivery by an emcee we tip to do big things in 2005. Other tracks feature the likes of Jibbarish, Doc Brown, Junior Disprol, A Saviour, Tommy Evans, Jehst, Mr Thing, and Manchester's Microdisacs. On the whole the album is heavyweight UK Rap, but be warned if you don't like jazzy authentic sounding funky NYC style beats then stay away.  This release is pure in every sense of the word.

Karl Hinds
Have Patience
(Ill Flava Records)
www.illflava.com

 

Love him or hate him, you can't deny that Karl hinds puts in a lot of work and doesn't chat any f**kery just pure science. This is by far is strongest album from Karl and will definitely go down as a UK rap classic. It features banger after banger touching on a wide range of subjects and unleashing a selection of hard-hitting beats. Feeling 'You Done Know' which features Toyin on the hook which is a track that always goes down well in the clubs, also feeling the lyrically deep 'Psycho Analysis' and a wicked song about all the Hip-Hop beef called 'The Verdict'. The collob's come thick and fast too with Seanie T and Roots Manuva killin it on the raga fused 'Lord Of The Blings', Kiss FM's DJ MK gets on the cuts for 'London Underground Part 2', Skinnyman kills it on 'Lets Av It', new skool cat Grimlock impresses on ''Still Murdering Em' and Out Da Ville's Tempa drops hefty on 'You Piss Me Off'. It's another solid album from Karl Hinds and another notch on Ill Flava's belt. Tight.

 

This album is written, rapped, produced and engineered by Insight. What? That ain't enough? Okay he does all the cuts too and comes up with all the marketing ideas and more! It's the hard-working man they call Insight. A lot of you will know about him already but if ya don't this album is a real good place to start. Jazz-tinged beats and authentic style production this will appeal to B-Boys (and girls!) that are fans of real underground beats and MC's who deliver clever intricate metaphors with raw ready flows. Feeling the 'Evolve' joint and the cinematic 'Nventors (Black)' track which has a real deep mystical groove that locks you in. Peep the Edo G & AG collaboration 'Trategy' too which bangs too. This is well worth hunting down and adding to ya CD collection. Raw, undiluted flavour. 

 

The long awaited solid solo debut by ex-London Posse rapper, BBC 1xtra DJ and general old skool UK Hip-Hop veteran Rodney P has dropped. Kicking of with a track reminiscent of the original London Posse vibe, 'The Nice Up' bounces on a ragga-rap tip setting the stage for this superb long-player. The title track 'The Future' is a hard-hitting deep soundbwoy affair produced by Stone which impresses. Peep 'Big Tings Again' a rework of 'Big Tings We Inna' featuring MC D and the super funky 'Doggist' where Rodney P drops rhymes about his gyalist ways. Special guest Karizma features on 'No Pets Allowed' a track dissin' all the fake thugs and other hot tunes include 'We Don't Like Coppers' produced by Skitz with cuts by Deckwrecka. The last track 'Riddem Killa' which is still a killer. It's a top album from Rodney P and lets just hope that we haven't got to wait to long for a follow-up album. Purchase well recommended.  

 

These cats have been putting in work since 1993 featuring on mixtapes by the well-respected DJ EFN. It kinda shows in the album, as the tracks are all delivered with confidence and a style that is infectious. It kicks off with a DJ Craze collaboration entitled 'Battle Crazy' which is a 'must have track' for worldwide B-Boys. The album then continues to impress with a string of club shaking anthems including the awesome 'That's Crazy' which features fellow label mate Garcia and Def Jam recording artist Nore. Garcia features again on the heavy 'Foundations' cut, leaving the Da All to go alone for the rest of the album before murdering it with two bonus tracks that are absolutely essential. 'F.O.T.S Part Two' sees Garcia, Dynas, Skam2?, Society and De Ja collaborate, and the last track is 'That's Crazy Part Two' with Capone & Noreaga, Musaliny'n'Maze and Garcia featuring.  These boys have proper skills no doubt and they have opened shows for the likes of Busta, DMX and Outkast. Tight long player from Da All and we look forward to more from this crew.

 

Another quality full-length album from Sir Prestige's Social Misfit imprint. Here we see Mic Concise, Manifest, Braynz & 9 Lives step for seventeen tracks of UK rap bangers. 'UK Underground' is worth checking with some down to earth lyrics bout the state of home-grown hip-hop industry. Karl Hinds features on 'United Force' which is one of the strongest tracks on the album and Pique/PQ contributes well on 'Accept This' too, as well as BBC 1xtra radio DJ personality Ace stepping up to rock on 'Poison Ace'! We are feeling 'Where The Love At?' which is a nice positive track. It's kind of Black Eyed Peas done well! Musically it's a wicked summer vibe and we feel there needs to be a video to this tune man!!! Big up Stone Circle and please support the realness buy purchasing releases like this now.