A nice funk burner from Justin and Jem, and it’s one for the laaaadies! Like a marriage between Kool & The Gang, disco house and Soul of Man’s particular brand of breakbeat, it’s a quality tune with warmth and funk and a hip shakin’ groove.
The Perceptionists Memorial Day
How come hip-hop ain’t done an outright truth-about-Iraq song yet? Ah yeah, here it is-leave it to Mr. Lif, Akrobatik and Fakts One to ask “Where are the weapons of mass destruction?” Flip for a humorous slice-of-life on the up-tempo number “Career Finders,” featuring Digital Underground’s Humpty Hump riffing and dissing on the prospects of under-skilled and lazy job applicants. Ironic rap with a moral message? Been a while since we’ve heard something this on-point.
Giant Panda Racist
Joining the ranks of real-and-true hip-hop groups-Starving Artists Crew, Crown City Rockers and The Procussions-are Maanumental, Newman, Chikaramanga, Super Brush 427 and Sir Kado, who form Giant Panda. With “It” features early-Tribe-style beats and smooth Main Source-type flows. “GP Y’all” is headnodic and clappable with funky horn samples, but they save their best for “Racist,” which could be a circa-’90 conscious rap anthem. It explores everyone’s inner racist with stereotypes about blacks, whites, Hispanics and Asians spit over a 114bpm break. Tight!
Chase & Status Hood Rat
Some serious neck snappin’ goin on here. Listen for the Method Man sample to get your feet stompin’ to this half-step monster. Once this tune drops, the ultra-heavy subs and reece bass send you into a dutty face frenzy. This is a must-have for any headbanger!
Tech Itch Nothing
You will do nothing at all…except buy this release! Totally disgusting! This is Tech Itch at his finest-synths, stabs and a hypnotizing vocal intro complete this all-out war on the drums. The second drop is the killer for me, as Tech Itch changes up the beats to pound what’s left of your life out of you. Horrible!
Black Eyed Peas Behind The Front
This 1998 album is slightly older, but musically timeless. It’s unbelievable that six years have passed since its release in 1998. Will.I.Am’s production is tight, yet every track he delivers is different. He doesn’t fear experimenting with the sound and samples. My tips off this one would be “Joints and Jams,” “Fallin’ Up” and “Positivity.” Lyrically, this album has its off moments, but you can’t find anything to fault with BEP’s production.
DJ Wich Time Is Now
This is the debut LP from the number one hip-hop producer in the Czech Republic that’s about to hit the streets. A number of quality guest appearances, including the US’ K-Otix in the lead backed by Czech, Slovakian and Polish rappers. This album also includes the local female talents of Tina and Misha-the collab track they did is smashing! Watch out for this one!
Erick Sermon Chill Town New York
Personally, I think everyone should be able to put together their own beats, and Sermon does this flawlessly on this well-balanced album. Plus, the quality of his flow is undisputable. To me, this is of the most essential albums of 2004. My favorite cuts off the record are “Chillin’ (feat. Talib Kweli)” and “Whip” to rock a party, and “Like Me (feat. Sy Scott & Khari)” for home listening.
Bugz In The Attic Booty (La La)
The Bugz crew is back with another dancefloor destroyer! A phat, sleazy boogie groove with a ridiculous bassline and ’80s stabs thumps along to some of the catchiest crazy vocals I’ve heard for a while. Guaranteed to rock any club, this could be the track to take them from the underground to the mainstream. Look out for it on the Got The Bug remix compilation album on V2, and later as a 12″.
Sa-Ra Creative Partners Hollywood
SA-RA has exploded on the scene with their production work (for Jill Scott, Pharoahe Monch and Common, to name a few), but they are set to take over in 2005. Mad electronic synth basses and bells gyrate against sick bouncin’ drums as way-out-left vocals float over the rhythms on some futuristic Rick James vs. Spacek shit!
