Reviews*3
Run The Road: Volume Two (679)
They've taken the bold move of packing the sequel to the peerless RTR compilation full of exclusive tracks. There's plenty in the way of first class Grime (Big Seac's "Nah, Nah", JME's "Serious Remix", Doctor and DaVinche's "Gotta Man") but too much plain old UK Hip-Hop (Klashnekoff and Sway) and again an eccentric inclination to represent the practically non-existent axis of female Grime. Even if Mizz Beats "Saw It Coming" is an excellent production, why is it here in place of a Target or Aftershock joint? It's a good collection, the accompanying DVD is an excellent bonus, and it'll stand on it's own merits, but it's not what the scene needs, which is a Solid Gold Grime primer folk can pick up at HMV.
P Jam: The Compass EP (Dice)
An MC for each point on London's "Compass" Sporting a superb panic riddim from P Jam, Narstie (South) grips the beat like a gloc, Flirta-D (West) is at his most bizarre, Guyver (East) holds court as master of ceremonies, and Frisco (North) just plain excels. "Compass" is the ultra crunchula.
Ruff Sqwad: Underground (Ruff Sqwad Recordings)
Just as the squid hit us with their latest, a bizarre rough-riding version of Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl" (which some commentators have remarked is eclipsed by Westlife's version!), it's worth casting our minds back to this Grime classic of a couple of months back, surely the only candidate for Grime track of the year?
Statik: Connected (All Star)
State of the Art Grime triple twelve inch from old skool giants Heartless Crew's producer. D Double E fascinates on "Superdoop" on top of Statik's prismatic carousel riddim. Other highlights include the star-studded MC extravanganzas of "Polygraph" and "The Set". Even the splendid comic-book cover art takes no prisoners.