BOOT レコード& CD

Review: One of Armenian-born, London-based Blade's seminal cuts from the early 90s UK rap scene, capturing the gritty realism of the time. 'Dark & Sinister', featuring MC Mell'o', delivers a powerful, hard-hitting vibe akin to LL Cool J's commanding presence, with an instrumental version on the flip side allows the track's intense atmosphere and production to shine. Often seen as the grandfather of UK rap, Blade plays off a gritty persona with a wicked sense of humour, and this release still resonates today.

Review: Cappo is one of Nottingham's finest and now he's back once again, this time with a drum heavy hip hop weapon that has been produced by Doctor Zygote and Jazz T. 'I Go Off' has hard bars and dark beats with a lingering and menacing sense of soul. As the dusty, stripped back beats set an imposing groove, Cappo flows over the top with great wordplay delivery in his inimitable Midlands twang. On the flip is an instrumental that hits hard, but it's the original a-side that you want here.

Review: Kool Keith, Jazz T and Doctor Zygote deliver a lyrical gem with 'Heavyweights.' This track isn't a diss, but a declaration of superior MC skills, featuring a heavy bassline and a jazz-infused, ominous mood reminiscent of a detective movie soundtrack. Kool Keith's standout chops make this a classic. Side-2 offers the instrumental version, showing the intricate production and allowing the dark, jazzy atmosphere to shine on its own sounding like an eerie detective show. 'Heavyweights' is a great addition to any hip-hop/r&b collection, highlighting the artistry of these heavy-hitting collaborators.