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One killer album can be a fluke. Two might mean you had songs from the first. But three? That's not luck or leftovers. That's true, indisputable talent. That's a force to be reckoned with. And that's what k-os is on his third disc Atlantis: Hymns for Disco.
Once again, Kheaven Brereton treads a musical high wire, fearlessly and seamlessly fusing hip-hop and rap, rock and pop, reggae and ska, jazz and blues, and anything else that strikes his fancy, and then topping it with thoughtful lyrics and smooth raps. And once again, the results defy expectations, stereotypes, logic and even gravity, managing to float, fly, bob and weave when they should collapse under their own weight.
Equalizer outfits a Jailhouse Rock riff with a twangy lick and turntable scratches. FlyPaper bounces to a finger-popping jazz groove and a ropy acoustic bassline. The Rain is a soulfully sincere string-laced piano ballad waltz that recalls James Brown's It's a Man's Man's Man's World. Sunday Morning and Born to Run (no, not that Born to Run) kick it to punchy '80s rock drums.
Valhalla featuring guest vocals from Sam Roberts and Broken Social Scenester Kevin Drew is a hit of propulsive electrobilly twang. The Public Enemy-fuelled Electrik Heat The Seekwill is already the most downloaded single of the week in iTunes Canada history.
Swollen Members are set to release their definitive album, the forthcoming Black Magic (September 2006, Battle Axe Records). On the strength of their unique sound and a live show that stands without comparison in hip hop, Swollen are taking it back to the basics building a movement one fan at a time. By no means is this the beginning of the story, as they have been paying their dues since the 90s when rappers Mad Child and Prevail first joined forces to release a series of critically acclaimed 12 singles on Mad Childs own label Battle Axe Records. The Rock Steady Crew-affiliated groups debut full-length, Balance hit streets in 1999 to a wave of critical praise. Its dark but aggressive sound combined with Swollen Members reputation for rocking crowds from LA to Tokyo cemented their position in the independent hip hop world.
With the release of their sophomore album Bad Dreams in 2001, Swollen Members saw their music embraced by a widespread audience in Canada. Commercial radio and video airplay fuelled Swollen mania, and accolades and awards piled up, including the Vancouver British Columbia crew winning Juno Awards (Canadian version of a Grammy) three years in a row. Bad Dreams was certified platinum in Canada, Balance went gold, and their third album Monsters in the Closet has also nearly reached platinum status. Producer Rob The Vikings contributions led to him being made an official member as Swollen Members became the best selling hip hop group in Canadian history. Though they spent several years promoting and touring almost exclusively in Canada, with no international promotion their records have sold nearly 500,000 copies worldwide, still through the ever-independent Battle Axe.
In the wake of this success, Swollen Members pulled back from the outside world to focus on recording Black Magic. Over two years in the making, the album largely sees the group returning to the dark signature sound they have become synonymous with. A melting pot of introspective lyrics, bookworm intellectualism, aggressive beats and party-rocking jams, the album features collaborations with Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan), Everlast, Dilated Peoples, Mr. Vegas, Hieroglyphics, The Alchemist, Mix Master Mike, Planet Asia, Phil The Agony, and more. Storming out of hibernation with their sights firmly focused on the United States, Swollen Members are poised to begin an endless barrage of touring, bringing their renowned live show and sound to the masses.
Comments
oho... good to know. I will definitely watch out for these guys. do they have a website or somethin?
haha... i have to stop asking that question, get off my lazy ass, and google things myself.
thanks.
Brighton ’s finest, Black Grass (AKA Mex), returns with ‘A Hundred Days In One’, the follow up to his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Black Grass’.
A true DJ in every sense, Mex has been playing clubs in his own inimitable style since the late 80's. He's been influenced over the years by the early soundsystems of The Wild Bunch (Nellee Hooper & Massive Attack), Good Times and Soul II Soul through to hip hop luminaries Jazzy Jeff and Cash Money.
As well as touring Australia three times, he's shared his love of vinyl across the globe from Brazil to Tokyo , and has opened shows for Jurassic Five, Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash and many more. Regarded as "one of my top 5 favourite DJs in the world" by Portishead'sAndy Smith as well as breakbeat supremo Krafty Kuts, Mex has always stuck with what he believes in - quality music, played well. In 1997, Mex played with Portishead at their famous first ever New York gig at the Roseland Theatre with the 30-piece New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
‘A Hundred Days In One’ really takes the Black Grass sound to new levels. Described as a “witches brew of styles” by Mex, ‘A Hundred Days In One’is hip hop minded but not hip hop, edgy but not necessarily underground – it joins the dots between the related flavours of hip hop culture – from funk, jazz and soul to party beats.
There is a positive wealth of talent on offer from the vocal collaborators, none more so than Dominique Noiret, whose stunning vocal contribution to ‘Don't Leave Me This Way’ lends a classy, vintage feel to the album. Philadelphia born hip hop star Maylay Sparks who appeared on the last album, returns for the track ‘Don't Try’. A true veteran, Malay has appeared on countless records in the past including the Rae & Christian‘Another Late Night’ series.
Rising UK hip hop star Micall Parknsun features on the track ‘Down & Dirty’ with fellow UK star Jehst also making an appearance over a military style beat on ‘Lines Of Defence ’ . Long time DJ Vadim collaborator and one of the best MC’s around, Blu Rum 13, adds his trademark smooth delivery to the album with the track ‘Rest Assured’. Reggae stars Jah Marnyah and Rider Shafique add their touch as well as soul singing sensation Okou, singer for Teddy Rok Seven and Tutto Matto.
Look out for Mex playing this years Bestival in September and also the final set at Fat Tuesday at The Big Chill this August.
Comments
Awesome! This totally flew under my radar, and I'm going to have to go seek this one out...
I'm glad to see K-os gain international recognition, cause he's indisputably talented and innovative.
On the downside, my personal experiences with him have been disappointing. But as a musician, he's fucking top notch.
Holy crap....how did I miss this??? I may have seriously disappointed myself by not knowing this was out, one of the best hip hop artists out there thats for sure. Other than K-os, Zion-I, and maybe a few others there aren't too many consistent new hip hoppers coming out. Thanks for the heads up!