I don’t mind this track. It’s not something I would listen to on repeat but I wouldn’t change the station if it came on. The hipster crowd has been loving ‘Charles Jenkins and the Zhivagos’ so it does seem the Davey Lane feature is definitely trying to appeal to that audience. These kind of features don’t leave a bad taste in my mouth but you can imagine the Record rooom execs saying something like “oh yeah, well Davey has commercial appeal with our older audiences, let’s reinvigerate his career with the youngsters” type scenario. That being said, the production on this song is extremely tight and should be able to rival his commercial counterparts and possibly hit the top 10.

I have no doubt that this is part of the commercialism of Australian Hip Hop, which we are bound to see a lot more of in the next few years. I hope that Phrase has left a little for the heads in his upcoming album Babylon.

You can listen to a sample from the single here http://www.babylonthealbum.com/

Steve

This year one thing that has made me stand back and take renewed notice is the emergence of a whole lot of talented Melbourne acts, without the hype. Id never heard of Oxcyde until I saw an EP release mentioned on Ozhiphop.com, still hadn’t got around to checking him out until this EP hit my mailbox however, I’m left quite impressed. Kicking off, with what was for mine the weakest track, 8 Years where Oxcyde lets us know he has been around for a minute, the album builds through each track. In fact the only real downside of the opener is the hook which just seems awkward compared to the subject matter and lyrics. Oxcyde has definite lyrical talent, not happy rhyming for the sake of rhyming he makes sure he is saying something you want to listen to on each track. The production is solid and wholly handled by Oxcyde, perhaps held back by studio budget not providing crisp enough sound. Definitely a lot to like here and hopefully an artist who continues to develop the talents he has to offer.

- Shane Scott

A slick looking CD arrives in my mailbox. Professional polished and eye catching. The album is Inkstains by Phatchance. A lot of effort has gone into the packaging of the product, especially for a debut release. Is it a smart marketing idea, is it someone who appreciates good artwork or is it an artist who is throwing it all out there? More importantly, is the content as impressive?

Phatchance takes this same approach to his music, there is a lot of confidence in his delivery and a sense of belief in his words and style. The title track ‘Inkstains’ over a horn driven, almost Suffa sounding beat, from Konfuzion. Does it impact? Not really, it glides loosely over a general range of topics from war, music, poverty, freedom and racism; unfortunately it lacks direction and only garnishes one line, if that, on each topic. “I Don’t know” has focus and direction and tells the story of this album and the self doubt associated with putting your heart and soul into a project for the masses to hear. There is a lot of emotion, story telling and it works. “The Catchy Song” ft 360, Smiles Again and Joyride is a tongue in cheek look at hooky radio tunes. The problem I have with this track is that it is seemingly done to get radio play, yet it is also dissing the style in a track in the same form. Whether it is meant to be funny or a reach for radio play, you will either think it is good or annoying and a bit try hard. Joyride’s hook is dope but 360 sounds uninterested and slightly hypocritical as he states ‘Festival Song’ was overplayed, I’m sure it really upset you as massive festival crowds hung on for one track.

Chance is an honest artist and his lyrics and tracks are very personal for a major part of the album. Some you will relate to, others may not interest you. It is a double edged sword to put out an album such as “Inkstains”. “Mountain of Glass”, “Build It Up” ft Hr King (the hook is a highlight) and “Battlescars” are prime examples of this. You will either feel them or not. The beat selection is similar to the topics, a bit dark and moody with flashes of catchiness such as the piano loop on “Invisible Queen”, which is possibly responsible for people saying Chance is a lot like Slug. This track has a whole lot of Atmosphere influence, not that it is a bad thing. Chance kills this track, his flow is on point and his lyrics are interesting. Prime pops in for a verse on the Adit (Horrorshow) produced “Reflections” as both emcees discuss past tales of girls and love and it works well. The final track, besides a “Leaving The Nest” band version, is “Angels In My Ears”, which seems to be a sign off and puts the album to rest.

So, did the content match the packaging? In some ways, yes. In some ways no. I think it is reflective of the content that the artist presents. Chance puts it all out there, emotions, thoughts, life stories and himself as an artist. Is it a bit dramatic at times, such as the ink stained white roses in the cover? Yes, it can be a bit overwhelming at times, but the parts where it works are definite highlights of a young upcoming artist who presents himself as an honest, hard working professional who puts time and thought into what he is doing, and that cannot be faltered.

Phatchance Myspace

Phatchance Facebook

I put Fluents first release ‘Chapters of Substance’ into my CD player before writing this review on his new album ‘The Furnace’ to see what’s happened since then purely for my own knowledge. I am not one to compare and artist to their previous works; although I do think an artist should progress with each release, I try to hold each offering on its own. I couldn’t do that with ‘The Furnace’ purely based on how much the album is ahead of ‘Chapters’ in all areas.

Opening with the quick head smack ‘Spit Surgeon’ we see that Fluent has melted into his flow and style and that his confidence levels have boosted to a level that makes it evident through the mic to a point that you can really feel everything he is spitting. ‘Every Step’ takes us on a thoughtful, insightful and personal journey that brings us to the point that Fluent is at now, and he seems mighty comfortable there as displayed in ‘Lead Pipe Languages’. The heat doesn’t let up for a second as Fluent is joined by Maundz and Fatty Phew over a massive WIK beat on ‘Loco Motive’. Once again this builds further anticipation for a Maundz solo and shows us that Phew is still killin shit out G Town way, all three emcees destroy shit. Another triple threat guest spot comes on ‘Take Notice’ featuring Brad Strut and Ciecmate, who is on the production tip as well. Fluent steps up his whole rhyme structure and comes with a technical, metaphor filled verse that is arguably the best verse on the track.

Fluents progression is further shown over the next few tracks with ‘Short Stories’ and ‘Paper Chase Days’; highlighting his ability to paint a picture with words, and ‘The Furnace Cometh’ and ‘Endless Road’ showing us his skills to switch up flow and his huge presence over a smooth bassy Geko banger. The horns come thick on the Doc Felix produced ‘Authorized’ which gives Fluent a bit of swagger to his vocals that suit the track perfectly. Fluent has a good ear for beats that will suit him and has chosen wisely from a large array of varying producers including Discourse, Geko, WIK, K21, Ciecmate, Doc Felix and Must. That’s a fucken production line up. As spoken about earlier his guest emcees are suited perfectly, again shown on ‘4 Aces’ with Mata, Must and an insane verse from 1/6, Pang in the house. Nothing comes close to a crew cut though and Crate Cartel heads Raven and Geko join Fluent on ‘Capo Regime’ in a back and forth exchange that shows why the label has quickly earned a reputation for quality product. All emcees kill it, the interaction is great and the Geko banger has a layer of funk that makes this track one of the biggest highlights on the album. Finishing on ‘Bright Lights, Dark Shadows’; Fluent takes a look at both sides of Melbourne city in a lyric assault with an unforgiving flow, impressive.

‘The Furnace’ is a solid album from start to end for real hip hop lovers. At first listen some may find Fluents flow and delivery a bit intense but after a few listens the true style to it shines through and you hear his ability to focus on a variety of topics and emotions through his tracks. The guest spots are relevant and of high quality as is the production. There is no reason to not go out and purchase this album, good work.

Fluent Form Myspace