Sheffield... Forget the fact that Deff Leppard were from there, Warp Records has been pimping the finest electronic bags of tricks since 1989, bringing you the likes of Aphex Twin, Nightmares On Wax, Boards of Canada and comedy genius Chris Morris amongst others on an eclectic roster. Always ones to wear the best trainers to the party, this time they turn up with NYC's like an ultra rare pair of Air Jordans. Before I've even listened to it, I'm digging the fact there's a track called ‘Bubonic' on it...and what a track it is. All grimy stoppy-starty beats and old drum machines that work up a fine head nodding lather. ‘'Aint No stopping/greedy rabbits from Hip Hopping,'' permeates the old eighties high pitched synth sounds.
‘Down by Law' is similarly fine. A more commercial cut of electronic funk, with a delightfully dirty break pulsating throughout. is a one-man production whirlwind, who's layered rhyming sounds like he's got a crew in the studio with him. Its catchy chanty chorus sounds like a more $$$$ed up Nelly with a bit of Tupac thrown in for good measure.
Third track ‘Blind Driver' is old school electro with more of the same whack rhymes over some flavoursome beats.
More hooks than Abu Hamza, contains enough underground to stay credible with the Warp audience and enough overground to get mainstream. Which is where he should be pretty soon.
Rating: 5/5
‘Down by law' is forthcoming on Warp Records.
Check out [url]www.warprecords.com[/url]
Words By: Remy FV
