BAD MEANING GOOD

So, after what seems like an eternal winter we find ourselves basking in the feeble English sunshine of spring. And thank fuck as I thought this miserable weather was never going to end.

Something else that has put a spring, ahem, in my step over the past month has been the musical takeover of London by Red Bull Music Academy; with a host of new pupils, seasoned lecturers (encompassing everyone from Moodyman to Cosey Fanni Tutti and Roots Manuva, above) and above all a series of banging events and parties including Brainfeeder at Fabric and the long-awaited DOOM homecoming show as part of Taste of Sonar at Roundhouse. Expect to see a full review and pictures of both these events in the spring/summer issue of Bonafide. So props to RBMA for yet another storming season, and if the success of previous entrants Flying Lotus, Hudson Mohawke and, erm, Mr Hudson is anything to by also providing an excellent platform and experience for yet more exciting musical talents to flourish.

Moving onto the blogs, there’s a great example of visual digging in the crates over at Doctors Orders, featuring a compilation of EPKs from classic hip-hop albums of the 90s. For anyone with the relative financial and job security of working outside the music and media industry the term EPK stands for electronic press kit and was a staple promotion tool up until 5-6 years ago. Coinciding with the same period that you could start downloading albums as quickly as it took for Fat Joe to explain the ‘fresh’ concept behind his 29th studio LP while his stoned mate struggles to keep the hand held steady. Check out the EPKs for Illmatic, 3 Feet Hi & Rising and 36 Chambers.

Continuing on a press theme an interesting article appeared over at Drowned In Sound recently regards media ownership of bands and musicians (something unlikely to happen with a bi-annual magazine). I tend to think of DiS as a comfortable refuge for crusty Leonard Cohen enthusiasts but anyone who takes a few well-observed pot shots at the execrable NME is doing OK in my book.

“Writing about music is like dancing about architecture” so said smarty-arty-pants Laurie Anderson but music I’d rather dance (or nod enthusiastically) to this month includes Cosmic Lab by BUG. Not to be confused with Kevin Martin’s dark dub alias The Bug, but a young producer from London who’s hydroponic tinged blip-hop with a sprinkling of neo-soul draws on J Dilla and Brainfeeder influences.

Similarly spatial productions of the future-funk variety can be found on Fatima’s Mindtravellin EP out on Eglo this week. The Swedish born London based vocalist has teamed up Funkineven, VeeBeeo and Dam Funk for the EP; expect big things from this young lady.

An altogether noisier proposition comes in the shape of Bedford Park, the final record from the Infesticons trilogy out early May. Mike Ladd has to be one of the better examples of a rap x punk rock crossover and is more than deserving of your attention. Check out our interview with the man coming soon.

Plenty of mixtapes have also surfaced this month past month. Sway and Kano are two MCs that hit a creative brick wall with their last albums; the latter has chosen a 24 themed concept mix for Jack Bauer: The 7 Day Edition in support of his forthcoming Method To The Maadness album (yes, that’s with two a’s). Just off the radar is English, an MC who sounds a little bit like Jehst had he spent his yoof at grime raves, and his Local Hero Episode 2 mix is available to download from Left Turn records.

Stateside, Theoliphius London’s The Charming Mixtape hints at some promise once you overcome the slightly contrived hipster exterior. And on a whole different stratosphere sits Jay Electronica, an MC who has garnered much hype over the past 12 months despite not having even released an album to his name, which sounds like an anti-climax waiting to happen. Yet having witnessed the man in action at the Jazz Café recently I can insure you that this guy is the real deal, a 21st century MC to get genuinely excited about. Check the unofficial Victory mixtape for a taster.

Filed under: Artists, Bonafide Exclusives, Electronic, Free Downloads, Live, Rap, Reporting, Soul, UK hip-hop by D.K.