Sounds & Revolution

From the back catalogue of UK rap mag HHC, there have been a great number of decent freebies and CDs they gave away (before the magazine went downhill rapidly in quality then gave up entirely), and this is just one of them.

US record label Nature Sounds did and still does boast a great roster of talent from Masta Killa to Tragedy Khadafi to Vordul Mega of Cannibal Ox. This compilation is a showcase of their roster from the inception of their label and it has hits from subsequently great releases.

One of my favourite DJs, DJ Revolution, does a great job on the cuts and mixes, with his inimitable scratch sound prevalent throughout, and it gives the album a great continuity and feel.

Enjoy the show.



Nature Sounds Mega Mix with DJ Revolution

1. DJ Revolution Intro
2. Copywrite - I'm Back
3. Vordul Mega (feat. Jean Grae) - Believe
4. Black Market Militia (feat. dead prez) - The Hit
5. Immortal Technique - Harlem Streets
6. Vordul Mega - Stay Up
7. Self Scientific - Circa '89
8. RA The Rugged Man - Lessons
9. Copywrite - Jokes On You
10. RA The Rugged Man (feat. Masta Killa & Killah Priest) - Chains
11. Self Scientific - Jealousy
12. Masta Killa (feat. Inspectah Deck & GZA) - Silverbacks
13. Vordul Mega (feat. C-Rayz Walz) - Spitamatic
14. Masta Killa (feat. Ghostface & Raekwon) - D.T.D.
15. Masta Killa (feat. ODB & RZA) - Old Man
16. Metal Fingers (MF Doom) - Outro
17. Mathematics (feat. Method Man) - John 3:16
18. Black Market Militia - Hood Lullaby
19. Self Scientific (feat. Talib Kweli) - Amongst Gods

Northern Author Mixtapes Vol. III

Here we go with the third instalment of our compilations of old and new hip-hop that I made throughout my life. This one comes from about 2005 or something I think, but features songs from as early as 1993 right up to 2005. Enjoy the selection....

Northern Author Mixtape Vol. III

1. Mark B & Blade (feat. Phi-Life Cypher) - Ya Don't See The Signs (Cypher Remix)
2. Tiye Phoenix - All Night
3. Karl Hinds (feat. Blak Twang & Seannie T) - Don Gramma (Remix)
4. Kool G Rap - First Nigga (Premo Remix)
5. The Beatnuts - Its Tha Nuts
6. LL Cool J - Feel The Beat
7. Tha Alkaholiks (feat. Q-Tip) - All The Way Live
8. Busta Rhymes - Make It Hurt
9. Last Emperor - The Banger
10. Ras Kass - Understandable Smooth
11. Mos Def, Tash & Q-Tip - Body Rock
12. Busta Rhymes - Show Me What You Got
13. Prefuse 73 - Busy Signal
14. Mos Def - Got
15. Mark Rae - Skio
16. Nas & 9th Wonder - The Warrior Song
17. Talib Kweli - Lonely People
18. J Sands of Lone Catalysts- Place To Be (Saturday Night)
19. Copywrite - June
20. A Tribe Called Quest - Oh My God (Remix)
21. Zion I - Birds Eye View (Live Version)

We're Baaaaack!

Here we go! Finally I'm back with my proverbial shit together and ready to throw an all manner of stuff in your faces like a climaxing pornstar.

First up, we have what will more than likely be one of the best mixtapes of 2010 by one quarter of UK rap supergroup Orphans Of Cush, Cyrus Malachi.

The mixtape is presented by No Cure Records and Triple Darkness, who have took over the UK rap scene recently through producers Chemo and Endemic amongst others flooding the market with truly great, spectacularly hard beats and no-nonsense rhymes.

The mixtape is Cyrus featuring partner-in-crime Melanin 9, and mixed by DMC World Champs DJ Switch & DJ Furious P, and is a prelude to his debut solo album “Ancient Future” (which is to be released in the autumn of this year) and brings harrowing street tales from his life and experiences growing up in Hackney.

Enjoy, and support. If you like the mixtape, please buy a hard copy from the sites and links below and help a great emcee get his shine.



No Cure Records presents Cyrus Malachi – The Isis Papers mixtape (2010)

1. Intro (prod Endemic)
2. Praying mantis
3. Millennium ft Melanin 9 & Crown Nectar [Triple Darkness] (prod Beat Butcha)
4. Bloodhounds ft Melanin 9 & Crown Nectar [Triple Darkness] (prod 7th Dan)
5. The hammered bracelet ft Melanin 9
6. 1000 daggers (prod Diplimat)
7. Robin hood theory freestyle (prod Endemic)
8. Captivity’s tear
9. Lion’s den (prod Jon Phonics)
10. Feathers of Tahuti ft Melanin 9
11. Redemption
12. 7 plagues (prod Blastah beats)
13. Politikin remix feat crown nectar & melanin 9 [Triple Darkness] (prod 7th Dan)
14. Hood Novelists ft Melanin 9 & Njeri Earth
15. Hell's Gate ft Melanin 9 & Crown Nectar [Triple Darkness]

The Isis Papers mixtape is also available on hard copy exclusively from the following stores -

http://www.suspect-packages.com

http://nocurerecords.co.uk

For more info on cyrus malachi go to -

http://twitter.com/cyrusmalachi

http://www.myspace.com/cyrusmalachi

http://nocurerecords.co.uk

http://twitter.com/nocurerecords

More posts to come throughout the week so keep your eyes peeled like onions, but try not to cry.

Delays Pt. II

Just as a continuation from the below post, I'll also be uploading A LOT more mixtapes/compilations (I call them mixtapes but really theyre nothing more than me creating an album from songs I like, with no mixing whatsoever...mainly because I'm horrifically bad) both from previous years when I've done them for personal use or new ones to expose some forgotten legends and some new artists or songs that deserve a lot more shine than theyre currently getting.

These will all be ready to be posted immediately once all is back to normal.

In the meantime, apart from reading what I wrote below and checking the blogroll, you really should be doing nothing else right now other than enjoying the sun, watching the World Cup, thinking about the World Cup, creating wallcharts documenting the World Cup, possibly looking at dirty sluts and tarts, and then watching more of the World Cup. Thank you.

Delays!!!

Sorry about the lack of posts, my intermittent readers. I have recently moved abode and the internet is yet to arrive(through the fault of Sky who apparently don't guarantee their "Award-Winning Broadband with one quick phone call" statement on their adverts). Needless to say 40 very SLOW phone calls, constant nagging, bitching and whining, contradictions and ignorant call-centre representatives later....I still have no home internet service.

This will change in the next two weeks so expect me to be late with a few posts of mixtapes I may have been emailed as when I get it up and running you'll find a flurry of posts. The fact I'm in a library typing this is of much irritation to myself. Luckily I've been able to lend a Kevin Keegan biography and a Sir Bobby Robson biography so all is not lost.

Expect Cyrus Malachi's new mixtape, a new Mr J Medieros track and a review of Cymarshall Law and Skit Slam's Everliven Sound album coming shortly, but until the internet is up and running I'd rather not leave you expecting much at all.

Rest assured Northern Author is alive and well, and able to interact with fellow hip-hop lovers on twitter at www.twitter.com/sniperinthemist through the trusty iPhone. I'll release details on there when new posts are up but for now enjoy what we already have for you.

In addition to this stupendous site, I recommend a new UK hip-hop site called Cypherz at http://www.cypherz.co.uk/ which is a spin-off (or rather an upgrade) from the Leeds Hip Hop Site. Its full of great videos and news not only from hip-hop but other UK urban genres such as the new obsession on these shores of dubstep, trusty but never trustworthy Grime, and maybe even some RnB or Drum n Bass chucked in for good measure.

Don't be a stranger, people....unless you're a wierd bastard. In which case, STAY a stranger. I don't need any more silliness in my already nonsensical existence.

The Cool Kids - Tacklebox (Mixtape)

I don't usually post new non-UK material, but my love of this duo's first LP means I have to throw my regulations aside. The new Cool Kids mixtape has just surfaced across the net, and this link isnt mine so don't be all whiny if it goes down. I'll get some more uncut Northern Author material on here soon, but to tide you over, listen to the future..
.
Cool Kids - Tacklebox Mixtape (2010)

1. Fishing Lessons (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
2. Flying Kytes (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
3. Freak City (Prod. Chuck Inglish & Old Young)
4. Neat (Ft. Tennille)
5. Going Camping (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
6. Volume II (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
7. Birthdays (Prod. Ski Beats)
8. Great Outdoors (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
9. Strawberry Girl (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
10. Systems (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
11. Good Afternoon (Prod. The Productionix)
12. Parking Lot (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
13. Summer Nights ft. Tennille (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
14. Los Angeles Leakers Outro (Prod. Chuck Inglish)
15. Gettin’ Flick (Prod. Chuck Inglish)

And here's a reminder of some of their old material, just because I have been listening to them for a few hours now and loving it. I'm sure all of you are aware of them, so just enjoy it.






Make sure you already picked up their debut LP "The Bake Sale" about two years ago, because if you haven't, then I predict a bleak future for you in life. Alternatively, you could buy it now and become a millionaire. Those are your choices.

Dhalsim The Don

Akira The Don is back with an equally funny, enjoyable and bumpable mixtape, sampling from all of the in-game music from the original Street Fighter games. He makes them his own and it pays homage correctly to one of the most successful gaming franchises on the planet.

Completely free and from his official website, he has more links to more material at his official website www.akirathedon.com but here's a direct link from his site to the download, enjoy this possibly while being a geek in your bedroom jizzing over pictures of Lara Croft, or by simply not being a geek and doing drive-bys at your local Co-Op or John Menzies.

Full listing and artwork in with the link, don't muck about, become Ryu and bump your neck.

Akira The Don - ATD23 Mixtape - A Tribute To The Music Of Street Fighter

Tracklisting:

Waking Up

Theme From Ken

Entertainers ft. Littles

Be Brave

The Title

Winners ft Envy

The Victory Boogie

R.Y.U.

Ending 1

Nomad

VEGA

Street Fighter (I Will F U Up) ft Big Narstie, Littles & Lickel P

Steal The Show ft Littles

Congratulations

BONUS: Ken Will F U Up

Dance is killing UK Hip-Hop

So...Sway has done a dance record. Nothing wrong with that you'd say. To be honest, the song is't horrific or anything like that either. But there's a growing trend in the UK that if you're a rapper you have to throw a beat that was made at Wigan Pier behind your tracks just to get some success. For years now there have been countless forays into the dance scene for old, washed up r'n'b singers and a few rappers too, but recently UK hip-hop seems to have been struck with the cancer and its not good for the scene at all.

Personally I love the mixing of genres, the furrowing of new niche markets and the experimentation of artists, but when its done so shamelessly and obviously to generate money with no thought given to the quality control of the output and the integrity of the artist's product it really gets on my little "there-because-I-haven't-played-football-in-a-while" man tits.

Sway is probably the brightest star of UK hip-hop. Thats not even an understatement either. He's possibly not THE best UK artist there is, with the greatest discography or the greatest ability (although both are quite strong and it could be argued he is the best UK emcee right now), but there isn't an emcee from the UK right now with more potential to succeed than Sway. Dasafo could be big....and by big I mean the whole "break America, global stardom beckons" kind of big. Seriously.

Sway is probably the only artist aside from Dizzee (who has already suceeded in getting global mainstream exposure) from the UK rap scene who has the ability and potential to both stay true to his roots in both rap and grime scenes whilst simultaneously straddling the arse of the mainstream and riding it raw until he falls off in retirement with classic albums and international adulation in tow.

Thats what makes this a bit irritating, I feel like this track is a bit of a cop out. I sincerely hope its not a sign of things to come from Sway, but when you have Roll Deep (admittedly a group who were by and large a bit pants to start with) sitting in number one with a horrendous and shameless attempt at dance music, Tinie Tempah following up his "Pass Out" track with his won attempt which will undoubtedly be huge, and even sad R'n'B artists like Taio Cruz jumping on the bandwagon by doing a song with that slag Ke$ha (who looks like she has a fanny like a KFC bucket, with as much grease and batter spilling out of it aswell) its not looking good.

Dizzee Rascal is one guy I'd give a pass and an exception to. He was always an experimental type of guy and he has crossed over with a few dance tracks that are genuinely superb songs (I really don't care what you think, "Bonkers" truly was the british national anthem in 2009). He's done it the right way and kept his roots intact along with it.

Sway needs to do the same. Sort it out mate! And Donea'o...you're better than this aswell.

They Had Next?

So, a small step back in time today. September 2004. 5 and a half years ago roughly. UK hip-hop magazine HHC released a compilation in conjunction with Radio 1Xtra and one of their biggest DJs at the time DJ Excalibah featuring the names of many emcees and artists coming up, ready to bubble over and erupt on the UK rap scene.

I have to say, most of them really did, and this CD represents some of the earlier work of all artists at the time on their way to success. To be honest, quite a few of them were already established as names to watch out for, as by the time this was released Klashnekoff had already made waves with Daggo Mentality, Foreign Beggars had already released their breakthrough SMASH with Skinnyman "Hold On" and a few other names on there were featured with more experienced heads like Konny Kon and Lewis Parker.

A certain Sway Dasafo features on here before he dropped the surname along with at the time a new producer called The Last Skeptik, who of course has gone on to bigger and better things also. The cd also features a song which has since become a bit of a UK classic in "For The Haters" by Dirty Diggers.

Enjoy the selection and check out where all of these artists are now, many of them achieving at the very least national fame with their material.


1Xtra BBC & DJ Excalibah Present "We Got Next" (HHC Sep2004)

1. Intro
2. Micall Parknsun - Tha Shit
3. Beats In Progress (feat. Kashmere & DPF) - Space Cadets
4. Stylee Cee (feat. Skorzayzee) - Want Whats Yours5. J.T.W.R. - Get Over It
6. The Last Skeptik (feat. Sway Dasafo) - Prior To The Present
7. Verb T (feat. Red) - Ravenous
8. Cappo & Konny Kon - Capkon Entertainment
9. Yungun & Lewis Parker - The Big Idea
10. Klashnekoff - Black Rose
11. Caramac (feat. Low Key) - Happy Ending
12. Dirty Diggers - For The Haters
13. Foreign Beggars - Frosted Perspeks

Another HHC release featuring young and upcoming UK artists on the scene followed in 2005, with the cd entitled 1Xtra Homegrown Cuts 2005. Amongst others this compilation featured Humurak D Gritty, Phoenix Black and Shade One.

The artists on show have been a bit less noticeable as those in the DJ Excalibah mixed release, but the cd itself is nonetheless entertaining throughout and adept at showcasing some lesser known names, in turn aiding them to get their deserved shine. Enjoy.

1Xtra Homegrown Cuts 2005 (HHC)

1. ShadeOne - Let Them Know
2. Mr Sin - All Tha Way
3. Tor - Strivin'
4. U1 Goldsmiths - Maintainin'
5. Blaktrix (feat. Humurak D Gritty) - Indian Rope Trick
6. Jeye Severe - Song Of Solomon
7. Phoenix Black - Hip Hop & Proud
8. Tawiah - Superhuman
9. L-Marie - Sunshine
10. Lyrican - Lyrican
11. Motley - Oh Snap!
12. Kamikaze Boyz - Rollin'
13. YT - Wicked Act

Northern Author Mixtapes Vol. II

So here's the second instalment of the NA mixtapes series. Just another collection of songs I made back in the day (I wish I could be more specific than that but to be honest, I really can't). A bit of everything here, but its in similar vein to the first compilation from what I can see so enjoy it.



Volume II

1. Jeru Tha Damaja - My Mind Spray
2. Sauce Money - Intruder Alert
3. Casual - Thats How It Is
4. Common - Ressurection (Large Professor Remix)
5. Dead Poets Society - Klockuz
6. Jahah & J Hen - Let's Go Back
7. Jemini The Gifted One - Funk Soul Sensation
8. Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth - Baby, You Nasty
9. Mr. Lif - Live From The Plantation
10. Kool G Rap & Nas - Fast Life (Remix)
11. Red Hot Lover Tone - Give It Up (Diamond D Remix)
12. DJ Premier - DJ Premier In Deep Concentration
13. Neek The Exotic - Real Hip Hop
14. Aceyalone - I Think I Know Too Much
15. Original Flavour - Can I Get Open? (Remix)
16. Lewis Parker - 101 Pianos
17. Souls Of Mischief - Our Secret
18. TiRon - Tha Ghetto (Time 2 Go)
19. Crooked Lettaz - South's On My Mind
20. Scritti Politti (feat. Mos Def) - Tinseltown To Boogiedown (Ali Shaheed Muhammad Variation)

Download Link