“They’ve arrived! With the excitement of a new born, came to join the main event and fight against the luke warm” proclaims Slug, marking his return after 2 years out since his group’s last release and even after the first 30 seconds of this opening track, it is clear that they aren’t just in the main event, they are the clear champions.
Ant’s beats on this record show a vast array of diversity as the canvas on which Slug’s lyrical paint floods the headphones with his usual self-depreciation and fantastic story-telling ability. The opening few tracks kick the speakers down as the heavy bass and head-nod inducing drums bump along to Slug’s oratory with samples thrown in, taken from all manner of tracks mentioning the word “atmosphere” in “The Arrival”, the beauty industry in “Panic Attack” and a bumbling humming in “Watch Out”.
Following the brutal boom bap of the opening trio of songs, comes the Scenester-dissing “Musical Chairs” which centres around a high pitched humming and smooth beat which flows around Slug’s descriptions of people that are followed simply because they look good and aren’t viewed beyond their surface traits. Slug then moves into familiar territory when he maligns his “Lucy”, the bane of his existence of broken relationships and personal trauma when he raps on “Say Hey There” over a joint piano and organ led sample and gospel style singing. The piano samples continue with a more laid back number “Hockey Hair” which Slug claims in the linear notes is a song about how he “fucking loves rap”.
Ant then brings in his interpretation of punk into hip hop with “Bam” which features a prominent bass line and a brief sample of “Flesh” from their 3rd album “God Loves Ugly”. This track is short and sharp and shows Slug’s ability to rock the mic hard forcing you to get off your seat and put a fist in the air to rock the bass with the duo from Minnesota.
As hard a beat as “Bam” knocks out, it is the following number, “Pour Me Another” which shows Atmosphere at their most prominent. Another piano sample brings in a softer beat as Slug soulfully describes how problems can often be thrown back with a few shots until you’re left numb and blissfully forgetful of how your life has taken a turn for the worse. With a feel good vibe and twanging guitar pushing things along on “Smart Went Crazy”, Slug flows about loving his home town, being on the road too long before switching it up with a much more late night tempo on “Angelface” which describes waking up in any random place and meeting the people that you come across, thus giving us the pros and cons of travelling and touring with his music.
“Get Fly” is another booty shaker which wouldn’t be out of place at a funky disco with a beat reminiscent of the Jackson 5 though it is the two songs that sandwich it which bring out the most poignant and heartfelt sides of Mr Daley. “That Night” details what happened at a show in Albuquerque in 2003, when a girl was raped and killed at one of their shows by a man with a history of sexual assaults, and whilst the bluesy intro makes you think you’re in for another good time, Slug’s sombre and almost spoken delivery lets you into the dark world that powers his work. He finishes the track by telling the guilty man that “If you ever find God, better pray to her and ask that we never cross paths”.
The album finishes off with “Little Man”, a song split into three letters, one to Slug’s 11 year old son Jacob, one to his father and one to himself. He tells his son that he wishes he was able to be around more but that he is proud that his little man has grown up to be strong and even teach Slug how to deal with his estranged partner. He tells his dad that he loves him because he learnt from his mistakes whilst regretting not patching up the cracks sooner, and he finishes the album by telling himself that he’s too old, that he’s losing his touch and that he wishes himself luck. However, on the evidence of the 13 tracks just heard, he’s neither lost his touch, nor needs luck. I can believe how much fun he’s having, because I’ve just spent the best 51 minutes of my life having fun myself.
People call Atmosphere “Emo-Hop”, people call Atmosphere sell outs, people compare Atmosphere to miserable guitar bands just to be able to place them into a sphere the reviewer understands himself. You can call Atmosphere whatever you want, you can compare them to whoever you want, but do yourself a favour, buy this album. Once you’ve heard this, you’ll never give a damn about whether Emo-Hop exists or not, because you’ll be too busy having a good time. And just in case you forgot, I’ll let the emcee remind you: “Who they blame when the game’s in a tight spot? Slug, you can find me in the A’s on your ipod”.
Sam Hesketh
Ah, the Beasties are back but this time with a full 15 track compilation of all the best tunes across the 24 years that they have been in business recording tracks. This is the comp you have been waiting for, even the record company got the track listing correct as every track you would have had in your own playlists are featured on this CD and ltd edition DVD set.
At a time when pop music has clashed with indie head on producing some of the best tunes in ages, New York City has spawned We Are Scientists, a 3 piece that attack this style of music with both grace and gratitude and come out smelling of roses.You are probably familiar now with their flagship track The Great Escape which is the second single to be released this year through Virgin Records. It’s compelling hooks and distinguished danceable beats eat into your memory and lock themselves in for night after night but this act are not one hit wonders. Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt is another classic released as a single but the album overall does get into your system and allows you to discover the band at their best. For a debut album, We Are Scientists have come from nowhere to becoming one of the best acts of 2005. With Love and Squalor is out now….go get it.
This is not actually an album, it is a great new (well not so new now ) compilation from a great team named Broken Souls Productions. This is an albums’ worth of tunes created between 2001 and when it was released in July 2005. With major promotions from 
From the fine tradition of a raw story teller comes a new blud, although you can tell he’s not new to the art. This is a great new up-beat track from Wordsmith’s new album – “The Roadman Showcase”. The eerie sound of violins sets the mood for the track with Wordsmith’s low tone spittin’ some dope rhymes over the top. The A-side has pretty heavy jazz beats that fit nicely with the darkened vibes. This is a fast one DJ’s! So get out your fast tracks for any decent mixes in and out of it. Tom Caruana produced all tracks on the album this 7″ is taken from. He is, as ever, impressive and creative on every track. I’m hearing about this geeza more & more as the days go on. Top beats! What impressed me most was that the B-side to this 7″ record was just as impressive as the A-side. “Trading Bars” is also on the album from Nottingham’s Son label. This track has a little more than a tinge of reggae flavour to it and features Genesis Elijah, as do many of the tracks on the “Roadman Showcase”. (A full review of Roadman Showcase coming soon). 
This is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. With brilliantly produced music using bits of samples, acoustic instruments and some of Dag Nabbits’ home-grown tracks, “Asylum Speakers” shows the diversity and difference in all the styles and beats. From tracks like “Hold On” ft DVS and Skinnyman, to “Where did the sun go” ft the man with the big smile Tommy Evans, this album is all over the different genres like a rash. The crew are from all different walks of life and this shows. Producer Dag Nabbit gains his influences from classical music, a touch of rock and the obvious drum & bass, trip hop and electronica. Orifice Vulgatron is additionally known as MC drop in and around the drum & bass scene. Doing a shit load of gigs with the likes of Andy C, DJ Craze, Grooverider, Fabio (all of the big names) in Dubai must have a great influence on his music. Basically, if you like a bit of spice in your hip hop and are a bit bored of struggling to fight against oppression and societies ills, have a taste of this fucker. It’ll blow ya head off. I know it’s not a new album but for those who haven’t heard of it, you’ll love it I’m tellin’ ya. P.S Look out for some new tracks coming from the Foreign Beggars. Last time I heard they were coming out in September. Well….that’s about now. Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher next to your CD player this shit will be on fire!
I first heard of Swampfoot when they came to my home town to do a gig. After standing and listening to three 16 or 17 year olds do a blurred and muffled shouting set, I couldn’t wait for them to come on. When they did I was both highly inebriated and very impressed. In my drunken stupor I approached them and said I would like to play their tracks out and write a review on any tune they wished me to write one on. Lucky for me they didn’t think I was crazy. They sent me a few tunes and I have to say they sent me the tune that stood out from the set during the whole night. “Seen to be believed” is an incredibly funky tune. With a kind of quirky reggae/blues guitar rift carrying the rhythm all the way through this up beat dance floor banger. There’s some nice scratching to start the tune off quickly and Bang! A type of hard hittin’ lyrics so full of confidence it’s the type of track that makes you pull your head up, push your chest out and handle yours. But it does this without aggression, there’s a nice tone to it that somehow makes you feel good. Even the non hip hop lovers got into this one and filled the dance floor. This track is my writers’ choice. It can be streamed as many times as you like. So get on it and check out their website. The link is at the bottom of the page. There’s loads of tracks to listen to, videos to download (some funny shit) and pictures to see. Swampfoot, Genesis Elijah and Wordsmith are confirmed to perform at Longuistics @ PoNaNa in Lincoln on Friday October 21st. £5 Entry, what a bargain. Get your arses there if your Midlands/Northern territory, or if you just love hip hop. Get a train!
Country folk can hip hop too you know! As evidence of this fact I introduce Def Tex, Norfolk’s finest hip hop crew, as this new ep demonstrates. Go on check out the tracks if you don’t believe me!
Pioneers of the Scratch nights in London Rob Mac and Matt Smooth have teamed up to form Jumbonics. Their new album ‘Super-Baxophone’ is a down tempo treat for serious after hours chilling. The album has all the right ingredients from hip hop to jazz with a touch of funk. If your looking for something to kick back to we recommend you buy this.
‘Live From The Breadline’ serves up a hearty slice of dub infused hip hop from Part 2, the man behind New Flesh. A punchy bass line is prominent throughout this record and the vocal collaborations are superb, ‘Will It Ever’ which features the vocals of Sandra Melody is quite possibly one of this summers standout tracks and could be heard booming out of Sound Systems across the Notting hill Carnival! Have a listen for yourself…
Bigg Jus formerly of well respected hip hop outfit Company Flow teamed up with avant-rap legend Orko Elohiem a couple of years ago, and this their second album as NMS is a refined vision of the two pioneering artists. This is an album heavy on abstract noise and anti war rhetoric, which can be fairly heavy going but is intriguingly innovative. If your looking to stray from the mainstream check this beast out! 
We were there – where the fuck were you? You missed some of the best bowl skating that there’s been in this country. The weather was off the hook, the beer was flowing and fun was had by all who were there. Saturday morning was the turn of the unsponsored crew and it certainly wasn’t boring. Complete gnarl with James emerging winner after a serious assault on the bowl. Their followed a best trick comp in the afternoon with Nicky Cornell Frontside blunting the vert wall and F-S 5-0 to fakie round the bowl corner as well as Ben Raemers, Carl Wilson and Mattias Nylen all going ballistic. Saturday nights partying was predictably riotous and a Skinny man gig provided the venue for our misbehavior. Woody was probably the worst for wear but that’s a big claim considering the state of the whole crew! The next morning it was the turn of the old boys aka ‘masters’ and they rose to the occasion entertaining the crowds with some ‘back to the old school’ routines. Names such as Dave Davies, Gary Lee, Trawler and Barry Abrook were all in attendance and were encouraged by their mate MC Sean Goff on the mic (often whilst skating too.) Not that it matters but Pete Dosset was a clear winner making almost everything he tried first go including a stupidly good invert to fakie on the vert. Sunday afternoon was hotting up, both in terms of weather and skating as the event neared its grand finale. It was pure carnage but if you weren’t there you’ll never know, neither pictures nor video could show the pure mentalness and frenzy that went down in the final jam of the day. Trick lists just aren’t appropriate here, needless to say Mattias did a ridiculous transfer, Raemers learnt about 3 new tricks in his runs and Cornell skated faster than anyone else. After this Goffy pulled together one of the most ridiculous best trick comps I’ve ever seen while the judges totalled scores. When the dust settled it looked like this:
1: Mattias Nylen
The grapevine has been telling us that this band are meant to be like a fire in the hole by all accounts, so myself and Sherry were not gonna miss them. The show was organised by 
Since when did the whole Abec numbering matter? I thought it had been proven that the Abec rating was irrelevant to everyday skating. Oh well, for your information, Consolidated have re-released the Filter bearings in Abec 5 mode and regular bearings in Abec 7. Perhaps the 7’s are better for contests because you won’t have to push so much. I don’t think Alan Petersen pushes at all, he just charges! Anyway, a nice thing (if you can call it that) is that the Filter models release all their crappy oil after a few rolls around, so you can clean them easier and let the bearing breathe. Do bearings have to breathe? Apparently so, but with absent oil, a rattling noise can soon be heard…