Illinformed – “Illin’ for Meds” review

London, England, United Kingdom producer Illinformed compiling a couple dozen tracks together for his official full-length solo debut. Forming multiple groups throughout the last decade like Babylon Dead or the Brothers of the Stone & the Creatures of Habit as well as being the brother of Leaf Dog & Eric the Red, he’s crossed paths with some of the local scene’s biggest underground labels from High Focus Records to Real Life Drama Records & Lost Scroll Records in addition to dropping The Mould Tape in the fall of 2015. However, he’s putting together a collection of songs for Real Life Drama where other artists are performing over his beats named after his own imprint he launched a year earlier: Illin’ for Meds.

“Rotten” by Eric the Red & Jack Jetson teams up over a raw boom bap instrumental talking about their fans fiending for new music like they’ve become addicted to crack whereas “Horror” by the Brothers of the Stone, Dirt Platoon & Ruste Juxx finds the quartet dropping off hardcore verses of their own without a hook. “Doctor” by the Creatures of Habit, Sk!nt, Smellington Piff, Verb T, Wish Master & 1Jack unites for a 3 minute UK posse cut just before “Doomed” by Babylon Dead & Jack Jetson talking about those being cursed from birth.

Bil Next, Bill Shakes & Datkid all get together during the dusty “On Peds” speaking of never making radio airwaves & fucking up ratios independently leading into “Nothin’ Else” by Gaza Glock talking about him solely doing this for the streets. “Graveyard” by Babylon Dead & Leaf Dog radiates a nostalgically vintage boom bap vibe recalling them working between the earliest hours of the morning while “On the Hunt” by Wyatt Earp ruggedly talks about him chasing for thousands of dollars that’ve yet to be made.

“Bun Dem” by Babylon Dead, BVA & Jack Jetson finds the trio joining forces so they can discuss lighting their competition ablaze while “Slippery Slope” by Sean Peng ends the 1st half maintaining the traditional boom bap sound talking about having bad dreams & trying to find his own inner peace. “Concern” by All Hail Y.T. & Chris Skillz soulfully offers wild aggression in hopes of altering the audience’s perceptions while “Scud” by Bisk, Jack Jetson & Pertrelli Purple talks about trying to escape the darkness following them.

As for “‘Till the End”, we have Left Lane Didon taking over the microphone confessing it’ll always be Doe or Die for him unless God decide to call him back home to the pearly gates while “Through Ya Door” by Crossbow T, Datkid & General ruggedly talks about people trying to bring them down although they refuse to express sadness because it’s what the detractors want. “The Omen” by Jay NiCE ominously promises to through hexes at those who dare to fuck with his clique while “I Need My Meds” by Inja, Smellington Piff & Wish Master talking about them having to be medicated individually.

“On the Edge” by BVA, Jack Jetson & Verb T rawly cautions to not be tricked by the laidback demeanors all 3 of them possess desiring for weed smoke to come out the speakers while “Illin’” by Datkid feels like it could’ve appeared anywhere throughout the latter’s 6th album Wakmo serving his usual crud. “Bad Times” by BVA, Eric the Red, Frek 1 & Verb T brings a dirtier boom bap flare to the table talking about the 4 making a killing while “Bukowski” by Bil Next, Datkid & Jack Jetson takes a few minutes dismantling opponents who can’t rap the way they do.

Nearing the conclusion of Illin’ for Meds, the track “Watch Out” by Chris Skillz & Lisaan’dro combines elements of boom bap & orchestral music sending a message to the crowd of idiots who wind up losing teeth for running their mouths while “Valerie Blue” by Res 1 gets in his storytelling bag a bit telling the world of an encounter he had meeting a woman who goes by that very name. “Still Cruddin’” by BVA, Datkid & Pertrelli Purple talks about continuing to thieve until there’s nothing left while “What For” by Tony Broke finishes on a funkier boom bap note looking for a new fix soon as the lights go out.

Needless to say: Producer-curated LPs have become historically known for being hit or miss regarding the level of quality & Illin’ for Meds lands right in the middle between good & bad although it has slightly more highs than lows. My biggest compliment is Illinformed’s production feeling a lot grimier than his usual jazz-influenced take on boom bap, although the enormous cast of artists can come cross there being too many cooks in the kitchen & some fat could’ve been trimmed down since I don’t think it should’ve been 74 minutes.

Score. 3/5

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Babylon Dead – “Book of the Dead” review

This is the sophomore effort from England, United Kingdom boom bap, political hip hop & ragga duo Babylon Dead. Consisting of Bristol emcee Jman alongside London producer Illinformed, these guys initially got together for The Mould Tape’s outro “Gettin’ Mouldly” & have signed to the Glastonbury, Somerset imprint Real Life Drama Records for their full-length debut 2000 B.D. near the end of 2017. Precisely 35 months later, they’re reuniting in the midst of a global pandemic to open up the Book at the Dead.

After the “Babylon” intro, the first song “GHTQ” gives a giant middle finger directed at the crooked racists & sick fucks who’re in power over a boom bap whereas “The Underworld” works in a soul sample as well as a piano & some kicks & snares talking about the future of those he’s assisting on their journey to Hell looking like the bottom of a well. The lead single “1984” fuses boom bap & ragga for a statement addressing the world elite while “Burning” featuring Daddy Freddy & Jamalski leans towards the ragga side of things watching Babylon fall.

“This Likkle Piggy” returns to the boom bap condemning law enforcement who abuse their power while the 2nd & final single “Resistance” brings back the secondary ragga influences talking about standing up to the kind of people who want to incite fear on everyone else. “Shellings” featuring Killa P finds the pair embracing a slower & grittier atmosphere looking to shut the place down with the vibes being the only thing they care for leading into “Revenga” dustily talking about the kind who’re power hungry for some kind of leadership.

Beginning the 2nd half, the title track talks about the right-wing having a hatred for the poor when that’s been made clear for a long time & the time to militantly march in protest being now just before the ghostly “Fucked” featuring Warrior Queen airs out their own respective grievances towards the system. “Revolting” hooks up these sinister piano chords talking about rebelling against corrupt swine & “That’s BD” heads back to the basement instrumentally reminding the world exactly who they are during a turbulent 6 months.

“Bun Brexit” featuring Irah sees the 2 openly criticizing their country for withdrawing from the European Union in January while “Ransom” has a bit of a Bollywood-inflicted boom bap flare talking about doing what they do for the nations who’re experiencing sleaziness within their own government. “Hung, Drawn & Quartered” pulls from rap rock again attacking officers under the impression that they’re above the law while “Finished” featuring Badness & Devilman preceding the “Dead” outro ends with all 3 rappers aggressively retaliating against tyranny 1 last time.

2000 B.D. has already become amongst the top 5 albums in Real Life Drama Records’ whole entire catalog & despite coming away from Book of the Dead enjoying it, I’d have to put the follow-up right behind the predecessor. Illinformed’s boom bap & ragga production matched with Jman’s politically hardcore lyricism are still the most captivating things this LP has going for it, but I wound up becoming a little divided towards the guest list comprised of ragga & grime acts although I did give it the benefit of the doubt because 2000 B.D. didn’t have any features whatsoever.

Score: 3.5/5

Babylon Dead – “2000 B.D.” review

Babylon Dead is a boom bap, political hip hop & ragga duo consisting of Bristol, England, United Kingdom emcee Jman alongside London producer Illinformed. One of whom has a couple solo albums under his belt already with the High Focus Records- backed Auranography & Free Dank whilst the other has become known for producing “Chalice” featuring Chip Fu off Jedi Mind Tricks’ only album without Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind’s involvement Violence Begets Violence. These guys initially got together for The Mould Tape’s outro “Gettin’ Mouldly” & have signed to the Glastonbury, Somerset imprint Real Life Drama Records for a debut album.

After the “Enter” intro, the title track sets the tone of what’s to come with an orchestral boom bap beat talking about meeting your demise if Jman shanks ya whereas “Raggo” embraces a significantly dustier approach instrumentally speaking of taking over the whole scene. “Judgement” hooks up more kicks & snares talking about maintaining the equally militant mind state the late Peter Tosh had leading into “Empire” shows a pyromaniac side to them both.

“Duppy” samples some strings making political commentary on serious long-term issues such as decades of police brutality while “Veteran” sticks with a boom bap vibe talking about the rest of the world not being ready for the movement Babylon Dead are about to start. “Acab” stands out for being amongst the earliest origins of the “all cops are bastards” phrase condemning officers for abusing their power & after the “Enemy” skit, “Voodoo” gruesomely talks about death having no fear for anyone or anything.

Starting off the last leg, “Fuckery” comes out the gate incorporating these funereal organ melodies observing the very thing he sees when turning on the television these days while “Hostage” continues to warn the game of it’s eventual takeover Jman & Illinformed are plotting. “Greed” eerily talks about being at war for that very reason & the current year of 2000 B.D. itself but after the “Message” skit, “Funeral” cooks up a ragga outro publicly rejecting a desire to have a service of remembrance if the pairing winds up dissolving for whatever reason there could hypothetically be.

My favorite album in the ragga subgenre of dancehall will always be Buju Banton’s 4th album ‘Til Shiloh & although I wouldn’t put Mad Lion’s sophomore effort Real Ting above it, it does have moments that’ve become somewhat overlooked. Babylon Dead nonetheless has introduced themselves by giving Real Life Drama Records a top 5 entry in their whole catalog portraying a happy marriage between Illinformed’s boom bap & ragga production and Jman’s politically charged lyrics.

Score: 4/5