Reviews

Ramadanman

Over the last couple of years David Kennedy, better known as Ramadanman and, increasingly, Pearson Sound has been busy cementing his position as one of the principal figures in the burgeoning bass music scene. The precocious twenty three year old’s Hessle Audio label, which he co-runs alongside Ben UFO & Pangea, continues to go from strength to strength, whilst his own cuts remain as fresh and forward thinking as ever. Therefore it comes as little surprise that Kennedy has become the latest in an illustrious line invited to offer his touch to the FabricLive series.

Raekwon

When I think of the Wu-Tang Clan, I’m instantly reminded that Cash Rules Everything Around Me, and I can’t watch a random kung-fu flick without the infamous yellow W symbol flashing in my mind. In truth, rapper Raekwon isn’t the first thing that pops into mind. Even though being one of the founding fathers of the infamous group that unarguably redefined hip-hop in the nineties, it’s the late and legendary Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the production pusher man RZA, and the dynamic duo Method Man and Redman that resonate more strongly. But in his most recent solo release ‘Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang’, Raekwon tries to take the stage by standing front and centre.

FaltyDL

FaltyDL’s second album, ‘You Stand Uncertain’, has elicited an unprecedented amount of chin stroking. There have been references to his ‘post-post-modern’ use of samples and debates as to how he achieved such an elegant sense of timelessness to his compositions. However you like your music dissected, ‘You Stand Uncertain’ is an intriguing album.

Quantic

It’s that time of the year; you think you catch a glimpse of the sun but it’s just someone shining a torch in your face. And you know full well that the only tan you’ll be getting any time soon is via a sun bed or straight from the bottle. Note: fake tan not shot of Jack. But fear not! For a taste of the summer days that lie ahead is at hand with this collection of remixes from Will ‘Quantic’ Holland et al’s 2009 funk-filled LP – ‘Tradition in Transition’.

Lupe Fiasco

Building on his trademark thought provoking lyrics and charming voice, ‘Lasers’ boasts a ‘new’ Lupe Fiasco. This Lupe raps over electronic-infused instrumentals and proves he can appeal to youthful and mainstream audiences. Balancing some of the elements of the pop sound on the album are several tracks with the qualities that made Lupe Fiasco initially appealing – original subject matter and inspiring lyrics.

Radiohead

It’s coming up to a week since its release but after much hullabaloo and expectance for this, Radiohead’s eighth album, we’ve had the usual polarisation of reviews. Not to mention Macbeth-stylee soothsayers predicting that lines “If you think this is over, you’re wrong” on last track ‘Separator’ indicate that a follow-up album is imminent.

Stateless

I first heard of Stateless when they supported DJ Shadow a good few years ago in Sheffield. At the time, I remember being taken aback by the mishmash of sounds (not to mention some hyperactive drum patterns) delivering a sort of rock-cum-electronica-cum-trip hop.