Sav-age

Huddersfield's own atmospheric beatmaker and thought-provoking emcee Asavious is finally back after what seems like a long hiatus since his LP with DJ IQ "The A-Loop Theory" (its actually only a few years, and that album still gets plays to this day). Its time for the third-instalment of his much-lauded mixtape-cum-album series Play2Win, and in anticipation for its release Savvy has dropped a cold video for the lead track from "Vol. 3 - Adapt Or Die".

All I'm saying is, you people better fucking adapt, because that chilly West Yorkshire weather will freeze your soul...

Revelations & Recommendations

The first few months of 2008 didn't really spark much interest in me in terms of new releases, but things seem to have picked up of late with some real corkers coming out in the past few weeks or months.

Firts off, I HAVE to give a very special mention to 'When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold' by Atmosphere. I'm always been a little bit of a fan of Atmosphere and Slug especially, but their albums have rarely impressed me too much as a whole piece of work. However, I am going out on a limb and saying that their new album is not only their best album to date but it's also my favourite album of 2008 so far.

A few factors contribute towards this album rating so highly. The first is that this albm is the definition of slow-burner. The first listen brought up one or two favourites and a few duff songs, but on second and third listen I started to love every single song and now the album rarely gets listened to if not in one entire go.

Songs such as 'Dreamer', 'Glasshouse' and 'In Her Music Box' are true lyrical achievements, with Slug painting a picture of realism and the way people think and live perfectly. In fact, one of the brilliant things about the entire album is that every song and line is beautifully observed and will strike a chord with someone.

Ant's beats never outshine Slug, but that is a very good thing in this case, as each song is solid and leans towards the content rather than rhythm, which is something hip-hop has lost in recent years in my opinion due to increasing impatience in listeners and an eye towards the 'fast buck' from the artist. Its a truly great album, but one that needs to be fully absorbed.

Another great spect is the fact that album's design is brilliant. My copy came in a CD 'book form with the CD slipped inside a 'page', along with a 36 page lyric book and 'children's stroy which ran alongside the themes of the album. It also had a bonus DVD with live performances and such on it. If more artists and groups took so much time and put as much effort into their album's aesthetic qualities as Atmosphere have, I'm sure retail sales of albums would increase ten fold.

Another album to look out for is 'Spektrum' by Million Dan, formerly of the classic group Demon Boyz. Its been a long time since a full release from him, but it has came along at just the right time, as the shift from UK's urban out put has shifted to grime and the market has been saturated with it. My hatred of 99% of grime can be covered on another day, however.

Million Dan has collected a lot of his singles such as 'Dogs N Sledges' & 'Spektrum Ride' and added them to some new tracks to create one of the most versatile and interesting sets to come from the UK this year. The guy deserves all of the plaudits and I fully recommend you at least check this guy out. In fact, I must remember to upload his Infra-Red mixtape from last year as a taster later on in the week.

Two years since the release of 'The Borrowed Ladder', Huddersfield's Asaviour is back with his second full length album entitled ''The A-Loop Theory', this time alongside DJ IQ, who he has released some mixtapes with. Here's hoping he builds on the momentum gained from Savior Faire and The Borrowed Ladder and become the leading light in British Rap that we all know he can be.

Another album I'm really looking forward to is 'It'll Never Catch On' by DPF, which to my surprise and delight seems to be getting quite a bit of shine in the UK blogosphere and media. DPF is one of the best (and underrated) emcees in England and I've been salivating over a full release ever since I heard 'Jelly Bellied Eels' and 'Dis Cuss Peace'.

A Blog Called It

When I first heard this guy shoutout "To all my Kirklees and Huddersfield people, stand up" on his songs I got a little crazy. Hearing someone shout out the exact place you are based, and knowing that they're from within the same mile radius that you currently live in always gives the listener an extremely strong connection with the rapper. He even has the Galpharm Stadium (Huddersfield Town FC's ground) on his album's front cover!

Anyway, onto the music and the man behind. Asaviour was first fully introduced (give or take a few minor appearances on songs) through his aid on the classic Jehst track 'People Under The Weather', and off the back of his verse he gained enough hype to get a deal with UK hip-hop giants Lowlife Records.

His first EP 'Savior Faire' was the perfect introduction for him into the rap game. With only four or five tracks on it, it had to be superb to make an impact - it did. Asaviour's debut EP sizzled with beats that mirror his surroundings (If you've ever been to Huddersfield you'll know what I mean) and introspective lyrics. He produced some of it himself, showing some talent behind the boards, and got his mate and fellow Yorkshireman Jehst to produce the monster that has become 'Money In The Bank'.

The EP did well and the stage was set for his full debut 'The Borrowed Ladder'. Although the album wasn't the most hyped of releases, it was more solid than Hadrian's Wall, with track after track filled with great lyrics.

Asaviour's flow can be described as quite lazy, slurring the words around in his mouth, giving it just the right amount of distain and vigour to make his verses memorable. His music can be compared to that of the aforementioned Jehst, but a little darker. His single 'So Northern' with Braintax did brilliantly and showed that Asaviour, although a long way off being one of the best in the game, is a future star and will only get better with time.

Northern Author's Asaviour Collection

1. Jehst (featuring Asaviour) - People Under The Weather (from 'Return Of The Drifter')
2. Asaviour - A Track Called It (from 'Savior Faire EP')
3. Asaviour (featuring Jehst) - Money In The Bank (Original Version) (from 'Savior Faire EP')
4. Asaviour - Playin' The Game (from Evil Ed's 'The Enthusiast')
5. Asaviour (featuring Braintax) - So Northern (from 'The Borrowed Ladder')
6. Asaviour - Field Of Dreams (from 'The Borrowed Ladder')
7. Asaviour - Borrowed Ladder (from 'The Borrowed Ladder')


As a bonus, I purchased a mixtape made by Asaviour and DJ IQ just before the release of his debut album, and it features some other tracks of the album, some freestyles from him and also many other songs from other UK artists. It even has one or two tracks by US artists such as Jay-Z, Slum Village and MED of Stones Throw fame. It is a top quality mixtape that isn't spoiled by the shouting deejays that ruin every single US mixtape ever made (can someone make DJ Kay Slay shut the fuck up!! Please, he is THE most annoying man in the world). Anyway enjoy the Asaviour collection (it is worth the download) and enjoy this mixtape too.

Asaviour & DJ IQ present... Play 2 Win - The Mixtape Volume 1

01. Play 2 Win Intro
02. Asaviour - Drama Thing Exclusive
03. Peter Brown - Lead Me On
04. Cappo - I Know
05. Usmann / Asaviour - Freestyle Live On 1Xtra
06. Verb T - Keep Moving Exclusive
07. Asaviour - Themes Remix Exclusive
08. Rodney P - Smugglin
09. Evil Ed Feat. Jehst / Asaviour - Weed
10. Braintax - Lets Go Away Exclusive
11. Nas - One Love
12. Evil Ed Feat. Asaviour - Playin The Game
13. Milano - Done In Vain
14. Asaviour - It's Like That Freestyle Exclusive
15. Asaviour - Bangas And Mash Exclusive
16. Med - Push
17. Asaviour - Vip Freestyle Exclusive
18. Kashmere - Permission To Board
19. Jehst / Asaviour / Detones - Transform
20. Bill Zoot - Are You Ready? Exclusive
21. Asaviour - A Track Called It
22. Jehst Feat. Asaviour - Wake Up
23. Volton Craggie AKA Vc - By His Deeds
24. Ghost Feat. Asaviour - On The Right Track Exclusive
25. Asaviour - Invisible Inc Freestyle Exclusive
26. Willy Hutch - Brothers Guna Work It Out
27. Asaviour - Borrowed Ladder Exclusive
28. Asaviour / DJ IQ - Live On Mkd Show
29. Groundwurk - This Is For The Heads Exclusive
30. Kaspa - No Nonsense Exclusive
31. Konny Kon / Bill Zoot - Trenches Exclusive
32. Twinky Blu Tac - Move Freestyle Exclusive
33. Slum Village - The Hours
34. Jay Z - Some People Hate
35. Asaviour - So Northern Exclusive
36. Play 2 Win - Outro

And finally, a video with Asaviour in it. I thought I'd give DJ IQ a bit more shine also, with his upcoming 'Brainfood' project not long off completion, he's released this great song and video featuring a cavalry of UK emcees. Some emcees obviously outshine others, but it is a good showcase for a lot of rappers so give it a viewing.