Some origional creative hiphop by Undercurrent (i can't believe i slept on this)

[Don Rizzle]

I had this album for a while but never really gave it a proper listen until this morning, I have to say its a very creative album I suggest anyone who wants to hear something away from the normal commercial bs to check this out you won't be disappointed!!

review from ukhh.com


 Undercurrent Sons of Celluloid O.S.T. LP

The second release on the Same Brain Entertainment label comes in the form of a concept album, with songs either based on specific films or having a cinematic theme. Undercurrent are MCs Baron Samedi, who impressed with last years ‘Biatch Vol.1’ EP and Lixx the Warrior, with Baron handling all the production. This is an ambitious project as Undercurrent seek to convey the depths and intricacies of 2 to 3 hour films in 2 to 4 minute songs, some will question whether this is possible to pull off, so let’s find out…

The opening track ‘Apocalyspe now’ wears its influences on its sleeve and features rapid-fire lyrics from both Baron and Lixx, who are joined on this chaotic lyrical journey by Shotslinga. Following a vocal sample a dark, menacing beat kicks in and Baron promptly declares “cats scream it’s Armageddon as in I’mma getting outta here” and conveys the urgent panic of the scene he then creates with some vicious lyrics, Lixx follows this up in similar vein displaying an impeccable flow and carrying on the theme of track expertly. The guest Shotslinga, brings the final verse with an imposing presence which reminds me of some of Killah Priest’s dark rhymes around the ‘last shall be first’ era, he spits the stand out lyric “’ere mate can I hump ya wife when we’re drunk on wine and rum that’s fine, pump her dry with my hunting knife and tell her sweetie pie it’s luncheon time?” are you counting the syllables? Sick.

Next up is ‘foresaken’ which appears to be based upon the ‘Alien’ films. The beat again is dark and features Baron and Lixx trading rhymes as two officers seeking out an extra-terrestrial presence. The story of the rhyme is well executed, with excellent lyrics, though I feel the beat becomes a bit monotonous as it doesn’t change up during the track, still a highly creative effort from the duo…with a surprising ending, check the CD to find out what happens!

‘Good Cop Bad Cop’ is the third track. This is an amazingly accurate description of what motivates certain Bobbies in their particular profession. Baron plays the good cop role stating his intention is to “stalk the beat each evening and keep the peace in the streets” while Lixx on the other hand plays the part of an unscrupulous copper, in it for purely personal gain saying “as a policeman, I’ve got three plans get rich quick and live with some fit bitch sipping drinks on criss beach sand” and goes on to describe some of the unlawful acts he commits whilst being paid to uphold the law. The melancholic production suits the subject matter perfectly, a very impressive track.

The fourth offering ‘sons of celluloid’ is a name dropping exercise as Baron and Lixx get through as many film titles and quotes as they can over up tempo production the stand out lyric coming from Baron “you talking to me, you talking to me? I love the smell of napalm in the morning scorching the trees” this is format provides an excellent display of their rhyming skills.

‘Venoms’ is a Baron solo effort with him painting intense lyrical pictures of evil, describing various insects and animals killer instincts, over beat-less yet effective production which include animals howls and noises, kinda hard to describe, but it works.

‘xxx.pornstars.cum’ is pretty self-explanatory, the beat switches from the darkness of the first five tracks with almost jiggy production and a quality acoustic guitar riff. It’s apparent that Lixx in particular enjoys this track with him spitting two verses as opposed to Barons one. Lixx declares he’s “had sex with best of ‘em, molested the rest of ‘em” while Baron’s preference is for “a chick like a squirrel who’ll just nibble my nuts” and his “doggystle means you bitches littering pups”. All the pervs out there will love this track, which features a filthy take on Destinys Child’s ‘Survivor’ chorus. Both MCs ride the beat well and they let you know how much they ride their birds as well, a quality porn track.

‘Forrest Skunk’ is another Baron solo track. A biographical effort, some of it seemingly true, some of it seemingly not. He says “half my life’s up and down like snakes and ladders the other half’s cloaks and daggers while sabres stab me” The chilled production with quirky samples is good on the ear, another excellent track.

‘The News’ is an astute commentary upon the latest events that have been dominating our headlines recently. The bouncy beat provides a good backing to what the MCs have to offer. I’m not quite sure where this fits in to the cinematic concept of the album, however this is a minor quibble as they both spit some insightful and intelligent lyrics which everyone will relate to.

‘The Guild’ a Lixx solo effort, features him spitting over a certified banger. An interesting offering featuring an intensely detailed description of how to nick other peoples lighters. This a crime I was previously unaware of, now I’ll make sure my lighter is safely in my pocket when I go down the pub again! This is a great track with Lixx amusing with some of the lyrics he spits.

‘Chips’ is a description of a hold up of a chip shop. Baron (who adopts a lisp for this track) is amateur trying to get some quick cash, Lixx is the shop owner and it features the excellent Redmaster, a not-so innocent bystander “patiently waiting for chips”. This is a wicked story rhyme which you could see taking place on a screen. Each MC plays their part expertly, though I feel it is Redmaster who steals the show (and the cash at the end!) with some ridiculous multi-syllable rhymes as he says to the would be thief “if you roll with baddest why d’you lose control of your bladder?” The production features quirky horns that slide in and out of the speaker and provide an excellent backing to the hilarious tale, which all the MCs express with aplomb.

’11-11’ returns to the darker feel of the opening tracks of the LP. Both MCs play the part of ghosts who return to haunt their previous paths. Again this is an intricately translated tale and it features Baron crooning the chorus Biz Markie style, except this actually sound good.

‘Save me from my enemies’ is a Lixx solo effort, also featuring singing from AZG. This track is an incredibly emotional tale told through the eyes of someone how has witnessed a holocaust “peace the word is very grand is good for nothing unless the truth and love within us don’t get used for something” is the ending jewel Lixx leaves us with. I couldn’t begin to convey the brilliance of this track; you really need to check this out for yourself.

The penultimate track ‘alphabeta’ features another certified banger of a beat from Baron. I’m not sure which film this was based upon as it sounds pretty much like a straight up battle track. However both MCs spit long verses featuring superbly executed multi-syllable rhymes, the skill from both is immense.

The final track ‘Human Trafficking’ features Baron and Lixx as two geezers up for a good time with help of various substances. Any heads who’ve been known to go clubbing and need a bit more than beer and fags to get them out of their heads will relate to this rhyme. The lyrics, again are excellent, however the sound quality is poor compared to the rest of the tracks, the vocals in particular are quite low in the mix over the fast beat courtesy of Baron. Nonetheless it’s another good track.

Overall this is an outstanding release from Undercurrent. This is an incredibly creative LP that features a variety of tracks that every head will enjoy. From the frolicking of ‘xxx.pornstars.cum’ to the comedy of ‘chips’ to the intense brilliance of ‘save of me from my enemies’ there is literally something for everyone. It’s particularly refreshing to see the Same Brain Entertainment label putting out an album as their second release whilst more established UK crews are just putting out 12s every now and then. I can’t recommend this LP highly enough, if you would like to purchase a copy, e-mail baron_mandroids@hotmail.com and he’ll sort you out.

- Rhodesy

[Throwback]

link to a track man. do you really think we are going to read this?

[Don Rizzle]

‘Good Cop Bad Cop’ is the third track. This is an amazingly accurate description of what motivates certain Bobbies in their particular profession. Baron plays the good cop role stating his intention is to “stalk the beat each evening and keep the peace in the streets” while Lixx on the other hand plays the part of an unscrupulous copper, in it for purely personal gain saying “as a policeman, I’ve got three plans get rich quick and live with some fit bitch sipping drinks on criss beach sand” and goes on to describe some of the unlawful acts he commits whilst being paid to uphold the law. The melancholic production suits the subject matter perfectly, a very impressive track.

http://www.sendmefile.com/00273603

‘Save me from my enemies’ is a Lixx solo effort, also featuring singing from AZG. This track is an incredibly emotional tale told through the eyes of someone how has witnessed a holocaust “peace the word is very grand is good for nothing unless the truth and love within us don’t get used for something” is the ending jewel Lixx leaves us with. I couldn’t begin to convey the brilliance of this track; you really need to check this out for yourself.

http://www.sendmefile.com/00273610

[Mac 10 †]

link to a track man. do you really think we are going to read this?

[Don Rizzle]

link to a track man. do you really think we are going to read this?

‘Good Cop Bad Cop’ is the third track. This is an amazingly accurate description of what motivates certain Bobbies in their particular profession. Baron plays the good cop role stating his intention is to “stalk the beat each evening and keep the peace in the streets” while Lixx on the other hand plays the part of an unscrupulous copper, in it for purely personal gain saying “as a policeman, I’ve got three plans get rich quick and live with some fit bitch sipping drinks on criss beach sand” and goes on to describe some of the unlawful acts he commits whilst being paid to uphold the law. The melancholic production suits the subject matter perfectly, a very impressive track.

http://www.sendmefile.com/00273603

‘Save me from my enemies’ is a Lixx solo effort, also featuring singing from AZG. This track is an incredibly emotional tale told through the eyes of someone how has witnessed a holocaust “peace the word is very grand is good for nothing unless the truth and love within us don’t get used for something” is the ending jewel Lixx leaves us with. I couldn’t begin to convey the brilliance of this track; you really need to check this out for yourself.

http://www.sendmefile.com/00273610

[Don Rizzle]

you ask for tracks, i give you tracks and now no responses?