Friday 23 September 2011

Feed your mind

You're probably aware by now that I'm a fan of the Associated Minds crew and their philosophies on Hip Hop and music in general. Well it seems that I'm not the only one (of course I'm not, but I'm just making a point here) as their recent collaboration with Eatgood Records shows.


'The Highball EP' features, as you would expect, just about every emcee, composer and producer from both cliques in a concentrated mass of musical mayhem.


Another, smaller, but equally potent crew that I'm a fan of is the Quaranteam, of which Skillit is a member. Taken from his 'As Seen On TV' EP, 'Tom Shanks' is Skillit's latest single and, to my ears at least, is a parody of the violence so often promoted in Hip Hop and Grime these days. Maybe I'm reading too much into it? Maybe Skillit is just a violent motherfucker? But, having met him and seen him performing, I don't think so.


This is a previously unreleased track from M9 who, literally, gave us the excellent 'Orion's Stencil' last year. Fortunately, for me at least, there were some physical CD's to purchase of this project too but they don't seem to appear as on option on the download site anymore. I'm glad I bought mine when I did.


Not exactly new (released in August) but still worth a mention, especially given my absence from the blog world in recent months, is Configa's 'Calm Before The Storm'. Once again this Toon producer adds boom to baps and comes up with a tasty sandwich with all the trimmings. Unlike his previous release, 'Pac To The Essence Vol. 1', this one is only available as a download but I'm hoping his upcoming album 'Inside The Echo Chamber' will be available in a physical format. We shall see.

Before I go, a quick heads up on a forthcoming event; ELZHI will be appearing at the Jazz Cafe on Thursday, 3rd November with a live band plus support from Yungun, Mr Thing and Spin Doctor. For more details and/or to register your interest check out the Facebook page for the event.

One Love, Spy!

Monday 19 September 2011

Monday morning feeling

Okay, it's another Monday, I'm tired after the weekend and I need something to pick me up. Thank whatever you believe in for Grand Central! Two of the hardest working emcees in the UK game right now; Kinetik & Mr Drastick, are always ready to push themselves only this time they've drafted in some extra help from Trademark Da Skydiver and Ms. Galaxy.


Directed by the multi-talented K-Nite 13, the video moves away from the tried (or should that be tired) and tested 'performance' paradigm. Whether that was a deliberate strategy by the director or the result of the artists not being available for the shoot I don't know, but either way it makes a nice change.

Also brought to my attention (by Hood's Hottest among others) is the new freestyle from Stylah. Not the most exciting video in the world (like I can talk...) but I'm not a movie critic so we'll let it slide (if you'll pardon the pun).


This blog has been a little erratic in terms when I put up new posts, not exactly reassuring for 'regular' readers. However, I do like to share stuff on my Facebook page too, so feel free to have a browse and/or post your music/video/event up on it. Whenever I have the time (and inclination) I'll re-post your stuff on here to take it to a different (wider?) audience. So, until next time, have fun if you can but try not to spoil it for others.

One Love, Spy!