Tag: Nelson Dialect

Nelson Dialect & Verbz – “Sight Beyond Sight” review

This is the collaborative LP between Adelaide, Australia emcee Nelson Dialect alongside Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom emcee Verbz. The latter of whom made his High Focus Records debut in November 2020 off his sophomore effort Radio Waves & the other introducing himself to the Hove, East Sussex imprint’s roster 15 months ago with his 5th album Ever Since. And what to both of those as well as Where It Started all have in common? Mr. Slipz fully produced all of those projects, so it makes perfect sense for him to get both Nelson & Verbz together so they can elevate their chemistry with Sight Beyond Sight.

These guys make their “Arrival” with an atmospheric boom bap instrumental guaranteeing that shit won’t ever be the same after this whereas the lead single “Strike Back” incorporates some pianos mixed with kicks & snares talking about how it’s either do or die with them. The 3rd single “Beside Me” ghostly suggests for people to stay by them because that’s what all the real ones do just before “Movements” talks about neither of the 2 wanting to hit a dead end.

“Not My Nature” goes for a mellower, somewhat jazzier boom bap vibe assuring they’re still breathing life into those tainted lungs of theirs achieving to escape a place they see whenever they feel glum while the title track marked the 4th & final single teased talking about how the sky isn’t the limit for them anymore, keeping their minds elevated. “Cause & Effect” takes a more conscious approach to their songwriting over a lo-fi boom bap beat while “Regardless” prioritizes progress over paychecks.

Continuing the 2nd half, “Don’t Cry” talks about them writing their longevities down in addition to providing positive energy & death being a certainty. “Set Sail” embraces a funkier sound confessing they’ve lost the plot & haven’t found it since, further advising that listening to the Don should be rule #1 while “Homecoming” soulfully gets too serious for it to be played in the clubs, declaring they’re heading back to the their respective homes after traveling this long road they’ve been going down

“Infinite Avenues” gets back on the jazzy boom bap tip talking about times being hard & watching the way you live because of the high stakes that come with the territory while “Edge of Oblivion” eerily explains that both MCs have been trying to live & learn from past versions of themselves. “Starting 5” featuring King Kashmere, Nuphzed & Renelle 893 concludes Sight Beyond Sight comparing themselves to the starting lineup of a basketball team, with Chuck Enzo & Renelle having my favorite guest verses here.

Considering the fact we’ve heard Nelson Dialect & Verbz cross paths with each other a couple times with tracks like “Hope” or “Oxford Scholars”, I completely understand why they locked in to give us Sight Beyond Sight since I’d tell you I enjoyed it as much as both projects Verbz has done under High Focus within the past few years & more than Ever Since. The jazzy boom bap production Slipz has become known for compliments the introspective themes Nelson & Verbz tackle using the full-length’s title as a metaphor for both escapism & meditation.

Score: 4/5

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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

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