Fliptrix – “Mantra #9” review

This is the 9th solo LP from Brighton, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom emcee & High Focus Records founder Fliptrix. Also known for his membership of The 4 Owls, he made his debut in 2007 off Force Fed Imagery followed by Theory of Rhyme as well as 3rd Eye of the Storm & The Road to the Interdimensional Piff Highway. Out the Box & Polyhymnia both came out a couple years later as did Patterns of Escapism & Inexhale, coming off Light Work to drop Mantra #9 hoping to shake up the moderate feedback of both it’s predecessors.

“From the Source” begins with a lo-fi beat from Telemachus talking about the water drying up & hoping that it’s only for the summer whereas “Eden” produced by Illinformed takes the jazz boom bap route instrumentally so he can speak of the impression he has of the world going crazy. “So Clear” goes for a conscious vibe lyrically hooking up a sped-up vocal sample behind him prior to Leaf Dog giving “Deeper in the Forest” a soulful flare starting on a roll in the jungles.

King Kashmere joins Fliptrix during “Primordial Soup” talking about doing for this who wanna make something of themselves over this funky Pitch 92 beat just before the optimistic boom bap jam “Nothing Really Changed” breaking down the memories that’ll live in his name. “Wanna Tell You” featuring Leaf Dog finds the 2 talking about still being the illest while “OCD with the L O V E” featuring Coops & Verb T asks their partners to let the melody speak.

The title track reaches the halfway point of Mantra #9 on the most appropriate note one could possibly imagine talking about only serious games getting played when he steps inside the ring while “Get Free” jazzily begins the 3rd quarter speaking of keeping the prize in his sights. “R2D2” references the astromech droid from The Walt Disney Company subsidiary Lucafilm-owned Star Wars franchise maintaining a boom bap sound while “Gratitude” takes a smooth approach courtesy of Mr. Slipz putting his gracious side in the spotlight.

“Reckless” by The 4 Owls reunites my favorite UK boom bap group of the last decade dropping hardcore lyricism over a sample-heavy boom bap instrumental but once “SM58” featuring Onoe Caponoe & Ramson Badbonez sees the trio teaming up over a symphonic Wundrop beat for an ode to the Shure SM58 brand of microphones, “Rhyme & Reason” talks about smoking spliffs when turning corners in his car.

Wrapping up Mantra #9’s final leg, the song “Son Light” gives off a warm summer atmosphere expressing the desire he has to live for both his son & his wife while “Future Ain’t Promised” turns the jazz rap influenced all the way back talking about wanting to make his best solo work this late in his career when this has been making me more hopeful of that happening. “Veil of Reality” finishes the full-length with a mind-altering outro Bay29 made ready to make an example for the youth to follow.

Inexhale & Light Work were merely average compared to Patterns of Escapism & Polyhymnia, but Mantra #9 has gotta be the most I’ve enjoyed a Fliptrix album in roughly 7 years right when Patterns of Escapism had dropped. The subject matter’s more mature compared to anything the CEO of High Focus has done previously enhanced by the guest list comprised of the label’s biggest names past & present and the boom bap production’s a lot stronger than the last couple of offerings were.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Onoe Caponoe – “Concrete Fantasia” review

This is the 5th full-length studio LP from London, England, United Kingdom emcee/producer Onoe Caponoe. Introducing himself in the early 2010s off his debut mixtape Central Control as well as Willows Midnight Gallery & Holy Mountain, it wasn’t until The Staircase to Nowhere caught the attention of High Focus Records & made his full-length debut for the label with Voices from Planet Cattele during my senior year of high school. Spells from the Cyclops would continue Onoe’s evolution & Surf or Die has become the most celebrated work of his yet, coming off fighting the Invisible War for some Concrete Fantasia days after Alex Winsdor became the longest reigning RPW British Women’s Champion & a month since Leon Slater was crowned the youngest RPW British Cruiserweight Champion.

Zdechły Osa appears during the intro “Purple Haze” stylistically taking inspiration from the Memphis scene dropping bilingually hardcore lyricism in both English & Polish just before “Slayaz / Elf Island” lets off a rapid-fire flow until “Não Podes Fugir Do Teu Destino” by Hareton Salvanini gets sampled during the 2nd half. “Fifi (Mermaid Lagoon)” featuring Lil B goes for a boom bap vibe instrumentally thanks to Telemachus so they can spin out their minds together while “House on the Hill” works in this addicting flip for a 3 minute horror film of multiple different genres.

“Pet Cemetery” gives off an experimental trap atmosphere swinging his sword under the moonlight glow just before “The Cheshire Cat” shifts gears back in boom bap territory except there’s a groovy twist to it referencing Alice in Wonderland, asking why stay chase rabbits when they always fall down the darkest hole doing so. “Wipeout” treads the experimental trap waters once more dismantling anybody on the mic who has no game compared to him while the tread/hip house 2-parter “Afro Samurai / Quest”contemplates one another similarly to night & day.

After the “Cat Kingdom” interlude, “Magic Carpet” officially kicks off the 2nd half of Concrete Fantasia promising to make this woman his while the 2nd single “Pinnochio” featuring Jehst documents the many highs &inevitable lows of running the roads on an ill-fated quest to become a real boy. “The Horsemen” likens his pen-game to the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse while the 5th & final single “Ice King” combines cloud rap & plugg to talk about being colder than crystal storm on the twilight tundra.

“Cat in Oz” makes for a jazzy lead single finding himself unable to get sleep because of the witches outside his house while the 4th single “Heaven’s Gates” explores the spaces between reality & the spirit realm. “Outsiders” fuses cloud rap & boom bap for a shimmering lurker’s anthem but once “Psychosis City” suggests those who don’t know him to keep it lowkey, “Age of Aquarius” officially sends things off with a compositional outro clocking at almost 5 minutes in length.

Offering an alternate space for his fans to escape whilst still commenting on the highs & lows of city life, the newest entry of Onoe Caponoe’s discography sticks out to me as the greatest thing he’s done since Surf or Die & makes another example of why he’s amongst the UK’s finest hip hop artists today. The production creatively fuses the sounds of cloud rap, boom bap, jazz rap, experimental hip hop, trap & plugg for an hour long ride inside the mind of High Focus’ lyrically abstract enigma.

Score: 4/5

Keep up with @legendswill_never_die on Instagram & @LegendsllLiveOn on Twitter for the best music reviews weekly!

Renelle 893 – “Cocoa Butter” review

This is the 2nd EP from London, England, United Kingdom emcee Renelle 893. Introducing himself a year & a half earlier off the previous extended play Black Currents, he would eventually catch the attention of High Focus Records not too long afterwards & signed to the label. The historic Hove, East Sussex imprint however has decided for Renelle to end their 2022 by having King Kashmere fully produce Cocoa Butter a couple months succeeding Letherette entirely producing Chuck Enzo’s official High Focus return TR3B.

“Let Go” begins with a funky boom bap opener talking about keeping his hood up in his head low whereas “Wine Bottle” drumlessly flexes of pulling up to a zoo because he got a cougar in his whip. “I Dunno” featuring The Strange Neighbour finds the pair suggesting that they act the way do because of the cognac they drink & once “Like a Villain” wavily talks about him wanting to simply chill, “Gotta Go” ends the EP with him speaking of ruling with Hell fire & brimstones.

Continuing to warm fans up for an upcoming full-length debut album of his own, Renelle 893 embraces a new era in the London artist’s career with an extended play that greatly improves beyond the predecessor & his future on board the High Focus Records roster promises a bright future for him in preparation of グレート-O-カーン becoming the new RPW British Heavyweight Champion tomorrow. King Kashmere’s production throughout Cocoa Butter feels nostalgically reminiscent to the simpler times of our lives compared to Black Currents & Renelle’s pen-game has improved tremendously over the course of 20 months.

Score: 4/5

@legendswill_never_die on Instagram for the best music reviews weekly!

Truemendous – “Great. On Purpose” review

This is the sophomore effort from Birmingham, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom emcee Truemendous. Introducing herself in 2015 off her debut EP Whoremonal Moodswings, she continued to build momentum with the trilogy P.S. This Is Your Mother Calling began & bridged by P.S. This is Your Father Calling. The final chapter P.S. This is Your Aunty Calling eventually caught the attention of High Focus Records, who dropped her 5th EP Huh? right when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Coming off her debut album The Misdiagnosis of Chyvonne Johnson, the First Lady of High Focus looks to set the record straight of being Great. On Purpose.

“Womp (Uhuh)” begins in the form of this synth-funk/boom bap crossover talking about how working smarter does always go hand-in-hand with working harder whereas the 2nd single “Really Wanna Love” produced by Ghosttown takes up 105 seconds melodically yearning to have someone she can shower with affection. The 4th single “Yourself of the World?” featuring Skinnyman goes back to a boom bap vibe thanks to Illinformed talking about doing this music shit to instill their loved ones until the 5th & final single “In the World of of the World?” ponders if this was really her passion over a Telemachus beat.

Vaddy joins True on the dancehall-flavored “Curve” talking about doing better than ain’t being shit & her phone continuing to ring when it comes down to the money just before “Stooshe Then, Stooshe Now” picks things up with a hypnotizing celebration of womanhood. “Chatty Patty” ends the 1st half sampling an organ courtesy of Pitch 92 throwing some kicks & snares in the fold additionally calling out the people who go running their mouths regarding her while the lead single “Talkk” featuring MysDiggi gets the 3rd quarter started clarifying that neither one of them are looking to make small talk.

“Neither” combines electronic music & trap for a decent song pushing the 2nd leg of Great. On Purpose forward using it’s title to answer multiple questions like whether was born gifted or cursed & rather than getting hurt or learning a life lesson while “Flip a Coin” gives off a smoother approach talking about her having the ability to improve or worsen the lives of others. “Dark Shades” instrumentally radiates a summery atmosphere speaking of crying underneath the kind of glasses she’s rockin’ to avoid being seen in tears while “Beyoncé / Tortoise & The Hare” featuring Princessdkrazy comes together for a 7 minute 2-parter.

The song “Old Ting, New Ting” psychedelically addresses a toxic individual in her life who’s well aware of the poisonous energy he has to offer thanking him for all the moment he’s been able to share with her while the 3rd single “Still Don’t Wanna” maintains a respectable pace conveying themes of love, life & lust whilst returning to a bit of a nostalgically vintage boom bap sound. “I Feel Good (So Good)” concludes by sonically taking some cues from the realms of Latin music talking about how she’s doing better after taking some time to get herself together.

Huh? almost 3 years earlier remains the greatest musical statement in Truemendous’ career & although I enjoyed The Misdiagnosis of Chyvonne Johnson more than others did since there was some divisive feedback surrounding that previous full-length, Great. On Purpose could be the weakest project she’s done since the Hove, East Sussex imprint brought her on board. I can appreciate her taking a more ambitious approach compared to its predecessors, but the production during the 2nd act of it mostly doesn’t hit the same way Telemachus’ or Pitch 92’s did right when initially pressing play.

Score: 3/5

King Kashmere – “TR3B” review

London, England, United Kingdom emcee King Kashmere recruiting Wolverhampton, West Midlands production duo Letherette for his 3rd EP. Notable for being a part of several groups or duos over the last few decades ranging from Kingdom of Fear & Invisible Inc. to Gawd Status as well as Old Children & Strange U, he also has 4 full-length solo albums & a couple of extended plays under his belt through a multitude of labels from Low Life Records to YNR Productions & Boot Records. Signing to High Focus Records recently, he’s ready to make his debut for the label with TR3B a couple months after Ricky Knight Jr. became a 2-time RPW British Heavyweight Champion.

“G-Cell” starts off with a futuristic boom bap instrumental talking about being in his own different lane lyrically & covering his stomach in armor while “Black Knight Satellite” hooks up some synthesizers to get the audience hyped for the mysteries of life. The final song “Snake Pie” takes a bit of a bombastic approach to the beat wondering if humanity’s ghost will find another host before insanity approaches leading into “T-33” finishing off in the form of this compositional outro catered towards Andy Harber & Richard Roberts’ signature house sound.

Meeting each other roughly a decade ago after performing in the same boiler room & connecting through a shared love of the same genre-blurring styles that’ve defined their respective careers, it was only a matter of time until King Kashmere locked in with Letherette to give their fans something worth celebrating & it could possibly be considered Chuck Enzo’s finest EPs years to come from now. Andy & Richard’s production is heavily centered around their experimentations of the 2010s compared to Motherbox and The Iguana Man lyrically finds himself stuck between thought & feeling.

Score: 4/5

@legendswill_never_die on Instagram for the best music reviews weekly!

Verbz – “Where It Started” review

Here we have the 2nd EP from Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom emcee Verbz. Introducing himself in 2017 off the full-length debut Lessons of Adolescence produced by Brighton beatsmith Mr. Slipz, he would later put out the debut mixtape Pathways & the sophomore effort Radio Waves under High Focus Records followed near the end of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following up The Low almost 14 months earlier, he & Slipz are reuniting so they can take things back Where It Started.

The title track is a lo-fi boom bap intro talking about home being where the heart is & wearing it on his sleeve whereas “Music Banging Like” rawly speaks of reaping what he sowed now he’s getting older. “For My Peeps” instrumentally reminds me of A Tribe Called Quest shouting out all the important people in his life & after “Felt Like a Dream” takes a moment to talk about his successes in making music, “Walk Like a King” dedicates itself to those who left too soon.

Catching a 52 minute train between Croydon & Brighton to reconnect throughout Where It Started, this extended play does everything & more fan have come to expect from Verbz & Mr. Slipz diving deep into their hearts & minds. Slipz’ boom bap production was made with an MPC without the need of using any samples & Verbz nostalgically conceives themes revolving around the trials & tribulations of both artists doing what they done & still do presently in order of surviving the streets of the Cronx.

Score: 4/5

@legendswill_never_die on Instagram for the best music reviews weekly!

CMPND – “Eagle Court II: Long Live the Court” review

Brighton, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom trio CMPND consisting of Kemastry, Wundrop & Vitamin G back for a sophomore effort. All 3 of which are lyricists in their own right & Wundrop in particular being their in-house producer. The historic Hove underground imprint High Focus Records signed them & their debut album Eagle Court named after the residential flats these guys grew up together. It has since been demolished, reforming to make a sequel saying Long Live the Court.

“Ain’t Gonna Fold” produced by none other than Wundrop begins with this uncanny trap instrumental talking about never backing down from anything whereas “Weaintplayin” works in some strings & hi-hats cautioning that they ain’t fucking around with anybody. “Court in Session” radiates a psychedelic trap vibe assuring that they ain’t bitches begging for sympathy while “Acid Reign” asks why live life on a timer when the money winds up evaporating.

Meanwhile regarding “Nice Riot”, we have CMPND over this unsettling beat homaging the song “Riot Akt” off Gang Starr’s penultimate album The Ownerz prior to Hutch joining the 3 for “Illeagle Court II” following up the themes of it’s predecessor Hutch also made an appearance on off the original Eagle Court album. “D.I.T.D. (Down In The Dumps)” shifts in favor of an ominous atmosphere dissing rappers relying on clout while “The Culprit” talks about fucking up their lives to finish the 2nd quarter.

“Pick a Card” starts the 2nd half passionately speaking of the only thing they can do is being themselves & do what they do grippin’ mics until “Skrewed” featuring Bil Next finds the quartet getting back to the killstreak they’ve been needing for a bit. “Guaranteed Wins” dustily talks about indifference being a bigger disease than death itself than just before “Tiny Violin” featuring Datkid & PAV4N viciously boasts of their own grind.

The soulfulness of “Playinu” hits quite perfectly talking about their best their be the greatest versions of themselves doing his things daily and it’s The Truman Show while “Suh Quelle” hypnotically acknowledges a comparison between Vitamin G & Danny Brown, which I can’t argue being a Detroiter myself. “Went There” on the other hand carries forward talking about taking it to lengths others didn’t think they could when Eagle Court exists.

“Bojangles Jesus” embraces a cavernously woozy atmosphere instrumentally advising to stay clever with everything you do until the due respect comes while “Crazy Town” returns to the boom bap talking about still pursuing the dream despite it not being what it used to be because of the culture forever evolving. “Griezmann” featuring Truemendous finishes Eagle Court II: Long Live the Court with both High Focus labelmates rightfully boasting their status amongst the best around their necks of the woods.

I’d still prefer Eagle Court between the 2 full-lengths CMPND has given us so far, but the successor Long Live the Court will still satisfy fans of the group for it’s solid testament of staying true to themselves. Kemastry, Vitamin G & Wundrop pick up right where they left off 3 years earlier mixing insanity, debauchery, pain, pleasure, introspection & surrealism into a deludamolic delicacy of raucously depraved antics admirably carrying the former housing flats’ spirit gracefully.

Score: 3.5/5

@legendswill_never_die on Instagram for the best music reviews weekly!

Ramson Badbonez – “Fusion” review

This is the 13th studio LP from London, England, United Kingdom emcee Ramson Badbonez. An underwing of the Task Force, he would eventually sign to High Focus Records in 2013 making his debut for the label with A Year in the Life of Oscar the Slouch that same winter. Hypnodic, Jason Bonez, Mic Day the 13th & Death Mask would all come out under the Hove, East Sussex imprint to warm reception. However with Fusion now becoming the 6th, he’s looking to go in a different direction stylistically.

“Alpha” produced by Jehst begins with a hypnotic ode to one of my all-time favorite Nas tracks “The World is Yours” whereas “Lift Off” goes for more of a hip house vibe courtesy of Ghosttown making the place “Jump” like Kris Kross did. We get a horn sample mixed with drums & bass to give the fans “What Ya Need” prior to the synth-heavy “Rap Bio”solemnly swearing that nothing can compare to his output through a biography on his career.

As for “Blame”, we have Ramson over a hypnotic beat talking about his country’s education system failing the youth hence why he can’t blame them leading into “Hoodflix” featuring Datkid & Truemendous on the remix finds the trio looking back at their upbringings over a Telemachus instrumental. The experimental trap-tinged title track gets in his storytelling bag describing the dark streets of London while “Beat the Odds” takes a few minutes to talk about achieving what many deemed impossible.

“Just Say…” kicks off the 4th quarter of Fusiontalking about the real calling the frauds on their bluff, wanting nothing more than them to back off & cut their bullshit while “Roll On” dabbles with grime suggesting not everyone was made to be a rapper when that couldn’t be any more factual. “Could’ve Been You” featuring Confucius MC advises to never hold a grudge because time flies rather quickly until “Omega” wraps things up with a bombastic 5 & a half minute outro letting those who fucked up around him know what they’ve done.

Some of the mixed reception I was seeing towards Fusion going into it had a me a little worried that it could be Ramson Badbonez’ worst album but now that I’ve finally gotten a chanced to sit down & break it down, I wouldn’t say it that’s bad personally. The production’s more experimentally genre blurring than what we’re normally used to hearing from him dissecting the many highs & lows that took him from a life running the roads to documenting his own experiences.

Score: 4/5

@legendswill_never_die on Instagram for the best music reviews weekly!

Nelson Dialect – “Ever Since” review

Adelaide, Australia emcee Nelson Dialect enlisting Brighton, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom producer Mr. Slipz to fully produce his 5th solo LP. Known for being 1/2 of Dialect & Despair, he would make his debut in 2008 off Rugged Uncut Project & follow it up with The Isolated Papers as well as the Ray West-produced Time Means Nothing & most recently Glorious Definitely a couple months ago. High Focus Records recently signed Nelson to their roster individually & he’s telling us how he’s been feeling Ever Since.

After the “Nobody Knows” intro, the 3rd & final single “Seance” begins wanting to communicate with the dead over a jazzy boom bap instrumental whereas “Smooth Ride” featuring Confucius MC & Jehst finds the trio starkly reminds the world that living life ain’t easy as it may seem. The 2nd single “Only Just Begun” goes for a laidback boom bap vibe to the beat achieving what others told him was unfeasible while the lead single “Oxford Scholars” featuring Verbz & Vitamin G finds the trio coming together for a 4 & a half minute barfest.

Cazeaux O.S.L.O. appears on the drumless “Myself” talking about both of them not feeling like their usual selves as of late while “Star of Sirius” speaks of his instinct telling him a close encounter’s lying down & following his heart these days. “Figure Out What’s Right” blends elements of soul & boom bap asking for God to not sell because he has a lot of stuff he’s gotta take care of personally & each moment being the only thing we get for free while “Open Book” smoothly talks about the familiar theme of romance.

“Association” suggests keeping it humble until his hindsight changes when he decides to become a father & after the “Lion’s Gate” interlude, “Trembling the Marrow” featuring A.G. links up for a conscious attack directed at corporal giants. “1st Date” tackles the subject of love once again using a beat reminiscent of Slum Village’s sophomore effort Fantastic Vol. 2 while “Row Your Boat” offers the advice of moving gently to pursue your dreams. The final song “The Revealer” featuring SickInTheHead preceding the “Portal” outro ends with both of them talking about the angel of death.

A great deal of Nelson Dialect’s solo material in the past decade plus so far has been pretty average to me personally other than Time Means Nothing, but I didn’t think we’d get another album from him almost 8 weeks succeeding his last one & I’d have to put his inaugural High Focus project Ever Since above Time Means Nothing for it being my favorite thing he’s ever made by himself. Mr. Slipz’ boom bap production hits a lot harder than Glorious Definitely’s & Nelson makes an urgently refreshing statement regarding the endless quest for a timeless sound whilst amassing a slew of guests.

Score: 3.5/5

@legendswill_never_die on Instagram for the best music reviews weekly!

Pitch 92 – “Intervals” review

Sophomore effort from Dublin, Ireland producer Pitch 92. Known for being the in-house beatsmith of The Mouse Outfit, he would go on to produce the group’s first couple full-lengths Escape Music & Step Steadier until getting to jump behind the boards throughout Verb T’s 8th album Good Evening. He eventually signed to Hove, East Sussex, United Kingdom imprint High Focus Records for the Lost in Space EP preluding 3rd Culture & is following it up by dropping Intervals.

“Iph-Ro” by King Kashmere takes 94 seconds to begin sampling gospel talking about how living life’s a gift whereas “Under the Sun” by Kofi Stone dustily cautions that we never know when one’s shine truly burns out. “Live from London” by Jehst maintains a boom bap vibe instrumentally sending his love straight outta his hometown leading into “All In” by Verb T talks about not taking word from fake sources.

Dr. Outer takes over the mic for “Wife of Odin” nearing the end of the 1st half with an ode to the love of his live just before “Comin’ Home” by Verbz ruggedly talks about there not being much he didn’t already know. After the compositional title track, “Lullaby” by Confucius MC woozily kicks off the 2nd leg explaining blind love is when you’re waiting in a mystery while the funky “365” by Manic MC talks about pulling out the riddim soon as he hits the stage to set microphones ablaze.

“Good with Me” by Jehst & Lord Apex starts Intervals’ final act with a west coast inspired banger dedicated to getting crossfaded while “Suttin in the Trunk” by Lord Apex fuses these strings with kicks & snares talking about him not owing anyone shit & keeping the bass bumpin’. “On & On” by Dr. Syntax suggests to slow your role & keepin’ it flowin’ until they’re done while “Sacred Path” by ASM prior to the “1992” outro finishes by talking about not going anywhere too quickly & raising another glass.

So far looking at Pitch 92’s entire trilogy of solo material under High Focus Records, I’d have to pick Intervals as my least favorite of the bunch although it’s more average than both of it’s predecessors. Of course I can’t make any complaints regarding The Mouse Outfit beatsmith’s boom bap production homaging the Champion Sound of Jaylib, but I can say the list of performers feels more inconsistent than Lost in Space was or 3rd Culture despite the few moments of filler it had a couple years earlier.

Score: 3/5