///Lady Sovereign: Ch Ching
Absolutely excellent. The main mix is really stretched out, much of Sov's banter goes into the accappella. Unlike Shystie (whose voice is just WRONG for grime, sorry but sound-wise it's in _the wrong place_ and quite ugly if you ask me) Sovereign, who I've never heard before is excellent. Squeaky white Ragga chiquita, an MC Kinky from the blocks. On (what must be) a major label and still brilliant.
///Ruff Squad: Lethal
I haven't heard their highly-rated show, but Ruff Squad are perhaps a *little* over-rated. Last years 'Tings In Boots' only made it onto my years-end round up because it was just SO basic. This is the same riddim as their 'Pied Piper' isn't it? Granted it's a good track, great thud on the drum and kazoo synths trailing around in a sinister fashion, but.....
///Jon E Cash/Black Ops: Bang Bang Bang
Great stuff from Jon E Cash. The Black Ops are a little thuggish, not quite nimble enough. The charm of fat hip-hoppers (Chubb Rock, Biggie, Diamond D) is how agile they can be; like watching an elephant figure-skating innit. Built on a churchical alternating 2-note salvo. Played it to a mate who thought it was leaden compared to God's Gift on Str8. I like it though. That God's Gift on Highly Flammable is a clinker, terrible sonix.
///Bruza feat Footsie, Triple Threat and Shizzle: Bruzin'
Disappointing on Aftershock. Very routine Terrah Danjah production and flat chat. Bought it nevertheless; label fetish kicking in (Pros and Cons etc).
///Nikki Slim-Ting feat Jookie Mundo: Wonky
Nikki Slim-Ting was in the studio on the Box Bloody Fresh DVD and I thought the track he was having D Double version was really ropey, Grime-by-numbers. This is much MUCH better. Funny little metronomic bleep paired with great slabs of bass. Jookie smearing it all over the canvas. Ich-Ne-San-Sche vocoder in the riddim bringing a nice Kraftwerk flashback.
///DJ Target feat Dogzee and Syer: S.T.D's
There's so much wiggle in Target's beats, plenty of evidence for this on the excellent Aim High Comp. But (blushes) what a rude track! Also unsure of how much I want to know about the ins and outs of Doogz's urinary tract... But nonetheless great blustery bug-eyed vibe. And, I guess, in a sense, a valuable lesson for da kids. Bwoys and Gyals.
///DJ Target: Aim High Music Presents Vol. 1
Excellent round up of Target's productions. Two major hits with 'The Chosen One' and 'S.T.D's' Yep this is shaping up to be another imprint to watch. Particularly liked Flow Dan's 'That's Me' which has him snapping his fingers and leaning into the mic. Riddim courtesy of Missy's 'Pass That Dutch' (er, I think...) curling this likkle phrase round in tiny orbits: "That's Me, Sell Drugs, Sex Gals, Smoke Weed" perfectly capturing the infolding feedback loop of stoned life. Also Donaeo on the mad gypsy riddim with the accordian.