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Mix-Tape Vol. 1 Mix-Tape Vol. 2
Mix-Tape Vol. 1
Track Listing
Intro - Kalestix
Big Things Poppin' (Do It) - Kalestix
This goes out - Sanginga
Day In The Life - Jetic
Flashin' Lights - Evol
Words and Balls - Sanginga & Evol
Tough Love - Dr Neuss, Evol & Jetic
How I wish - Sanginga & Alana
Deal or No Deal - Jetic & Shorin
Who you gunna call - Kalestix
Killa Stroke remix - Dr Neuss & Sanginga
Rebel - Evol
Arrogance - Evol, Jetic & Shorin
Red Liquor - Shorin
Black Adder - Dr Neuss & Kalestix
They Think I'm dead - Evol & Jetic
Glad 2 be here - Jetic
War Child - Sanginga
Brief Review
Kalestix are a new-formed talented group that push the boundaries of British Hip Hop delivering a fresh perspective on everyday topics that anyone can relate to. Sanginga's tracks need better mixing as his lyrics become muffled from the beats. The album quickly changes between chilled and fast-paced which can make it difficult to find a consistent rhythm when you're listening to it. However, there are some excellent vocals and the beats fit very well with the songs. The mix-tape deserves attention and shows the groups talents with a mixture of excellent chilled out tunes and some bouncy, fast-paced tracks.
Full Review
Kalestix deliver a fresh take on British hip hop, away from the 'gangster' take of channel U's British hip hop and this album showcases this brilliantly with a few minor problems that hardly dent the talent and work put into this mixtape.
The album starts off with a catchy intro with Evol's aggressive, in-your-face voice flooding through the sound system to a dark beat that sets the tone for the whole album followed by Sanginga's African voice finishing the intro into silence. The next song is possibly the closest hip hop song to that of the hip hop you would hear in the charts. That's no insult, infact it’s the complete opposite. 'Big Things Popping' has just enough edge on it to hold its own and still maintain the groups individuality and refusal to be pigeonholed into mainstream hip hop, maintaining the authenticity needed to really make this track shine as one of the best on the album.
The next 4 songs chill the mood down into more relaxing territory, a welcome change from the aggressive (but good) first 2 tracks and really let the group unleash some fantastic vocals and in my opinion Evol's best track where he really shines and shows his true potential. 'Flashing Lights' is a romantic but glamorous track with a wicked beat and some of Evol's best vocals. Evol seems more at home and in his element talking about love (which is Evol backwards) and I hope to hear more of these glamorous tracks in the future!
'Day In The Life' is an interesting take on Jetic's life with a catchy hook and chorus that will have you nodding your head and wanting more. The lyrics are easy to relate to as Jetic talks about everyday things in a humorous and generally comedic fashion.
Throughout the mixtape, Kalestix hook up with many different artists and produce collaborations. Dr Neuss crops up with a distinct American tone and a fresh perspective on the topic 'tough love' with Jetic and Evol featuring on his track.
'Deal Or No Deal' has always been my second favourite track Kalestix have ever produced next to Arrogance and for good reason. The track touches on the subject of corporate companies offering artists contracts and them selling out to their hardcore fans. The lyrics are definately thought provoking and it’s a nice change to hear violins in a hip hop song for a change. Shorin features on this track and this was definately the best choice for a second artist from Kalestix to work on this track. The vocals fit perfectly and the chorus is fantastic and addictive. Noel Edmonds also crops up at the end as well as the voice of the devil, a nice touch of comedy is always welcome to hear on a hip hop album and really helps this mixtape to shine above the majority of other hip hop albums I’ve heard that stick too closely to the dark and serious tones of their albums.
The tempo rises quickly showing Kalestix are diverse and can not only rap to slow beats but also to fast, synth-heavy tracks and 'Who you gunna call' shows this perfectly.
Sanginga then collaborates with Dr Neuss, who was featured earlier in the album to deliver 'Killa Stroke remix' followed by Evol's 'Rebel' that returns to his aggressive streak.
'Arrogance' as mentioned earlier, is my favourite track that Kalestix have worked on and has some awesome lyrics that are both serious and comedic bringing a unique take to hip hop that almost borderlines on the concept behind 'My Band'-d12. In my opinion this track shines above that and really shows what Kalestix are good at; aggressive, fast-paced, back-and-forth raps between the group that relies on witty banter and each of the group explaining why they’re the best in the group. The best line in the song comes at the end by Evol which reads: 'I gave him his break and he knows that’s the truth, plus everybody knows I’m the best in the group'
Shorin is given his own touching song on the mix with 'Red Liquor' that makes you sit back and think while returning back to the chilled out tone.
'They think I’m dead' is another tune that relies on banter between Evol and Jetic that is about Evol returning. From where you ask, who knows, but the song has an awesome backing beat that has the perfect sounds to match the lyrics.
Another wicked tune comes after 'They think I’m dead' with Jetic's 'Glad 2 b here' with one of the best backing beats I’ve heard on a chilled rap tune, even if it is from Layer Cake, the lyrics fit perfectly and Jetic makes this sound like it's his own song. If you had never heard this beat from Layer Cake before, you'd think Jetic produced this himself, it's that good and well-placed!
The album ends with Sanginga's War Child and personally I was left wanting more which is rare for me when I listen to a hip hop album. The 'talk show' style between the tracks was a nice break and delivered some much-needed insight into the group without sounding tedious or boring. Evol delivers just enough humour while maintaining a serious tone to keep the talking fresh. 'We've got two song left and I’ve got to say I’m glad....my arse is numb' was the best line from Evol between the songs that had me chuckle.
The only problems I had with the album would be the inconsistency of Sanginga's mixing. The tunes are good and the beats are well laid but at times it was difficult to understand the vocals from the African.
Also, I found the album jumped a lot from up-front and aggressive to laid back and chilled out but this could be turned around to a positive as it definately maintains your attention.
Kalestix deliver a fresh take on hip hop and show how diverse they are with some phenomenal tracks, some unforgettable beats and some catchy vocals. The group are still finding their feet but if this is what they produce after only a year or so together I can't wait to see their work in 5 years! Producers sit up and take notice; Kalestix are here to stay!
Mix-Tape Vol. 2
Track Listing
| Intro Takin' Over - Kalestix I will get on - Adventures of, Jetic & Evol Fantasy - Jetic & Evol Afterburn - Evol Bottled Conceptions - Jetic & Evol Medicine Man - Jetic & Evol Fly Away - Jetic & Evol Rain - Jetic, Conga Child & Evol Support Our Soldiers - Shorin, Evol & Jetic Where I'm coming from - Evol If this your thing - Jetic & Evol All Sorts - Conga Child Who you gunna call - Kalestix Mistra Knowitall - Evol & Jetic A Day In August - Evol Suicide Watch - Conga Child |
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Brief Review
As usual, Jetic, Evol, Sanginga (Conga Child) and Shorin fill the mixtape with a mixture of fun, bouncy, deep and meaningful lyrics. Improving on every aspect on the last tape, Kalestix have achieved an extremely strong track listing, professional mixing and have identified where their strengths are. They continuously push their abilities, delivering collaborations with not only hip hop artists but also rock and blues artists. Conga Child's tracks are the weakest on the album and is the only negative on a near-perfect British Hip Hop mix-tape!
Full Review
Kalestix are back with another mixtape that improves on every aspect of the last tape and have now really found their strengths and use this to their advantage whilst always pushing their music in new directions.
The Intro sets the tone perfectly with an excellent use of sound effects and some pounding lyrics. After a brief introduction from Evol (thanks for the birthday wishes guys!) the music grabs you by the neck and relentlessly forces you to hang on every word, every chord and every kick drum throughout the tape.
After a brief intro, Kalestix dive into their first track; a remix of ‘Taking over’ by Akon. The lyrics fit perfectly and the group really makes the track their own. Each member of the group gives a different approach to the rapping on each verse but maintain the bouncy and fun feeling of the song. This is an excellent track to start on the tape.
I always find the first 2 tracks on a mixtape are the make or break point. Kalestix have obviously realized this and put two very diverse songs on at the start of the tape to show exactly how far the group have gone. After ‘Taking over’, the music shifts to a different style of rap in ‘I will get on’.
‘I will get on’ features Adventures Of and boasts a chilled out and alternative beat with some intelligent lyrics from the group and some gorgeous singing from the female vocalist. ‘I will get on’ is an excellent track which is perfect for a chilled out evening in.
‘Fantasy’ is a song that portrays the American Hip Hop scene for exactly what it is before shifting the focus over to the drug scene. Kalestix have always been talented in the ability to put their points across in their lyrics; speaking about things that affect everyone and not just themselves. The beat fits the lyrics perfectly and harmonizes the track before moving into, in my opinion, the best track Evol has ever produced.
‘Afterburn’ is a follow-up from ‘Flashing Lights’ on the previous tape. Sounding like a cross between The Streets and Plan B, Evol mixes things up with some thought-provoking lyrics, one of the best hip hop beats I’ve heard in a long time, and this really helps to escalate Evol to a new level, far surpassing the excellent Flashin Lights remix. This is definitely Evol’s strong point and the lyrics really strike a chord as Evol means every word he spits.
‘Bottled Conceptions’ follows the same route as Evol with Jetic running the show with a chilled out beat and more thought-provoking lyrics.
‘Medicine Man’ is a typical Kalestix song. It gets straight to the point and the more times you listen to it, the more you like it. The lyrics tackle the world of spiking and date-rape drugs and how people are ripped off from drug dealers. Kalestix work extremely well when they’re bouncing off each other, rapping a few lines each and this song is no exception. They have an excellent sense of rhythm and the verses sound so much stronger when Evol and Jetic are playing with their words.
‘Fly away’ shows exactly how diverse the group really is. They can take any song, whip the beat around a bit and make it their own. The rock classic is given a touch of hip hop and sounds very strong on the mixtape. ‘Rain’ then follows on from this with a chilled out and authentic beat before shining the spotlight on Shorin for the thought provoking track ‘Support our soldiers’.
‘Support our soldiers’ is a good song that acts as a tribute to the soldiers in Iraq. Shorin and Jetic work well together and produce a track that’s deep and thought provoking and really makes you sit back and think about the lyrics, hanging on every word. The last sentence of the track really sums up their thoughts. ‘It’s blatantly about the oil’ couldn’t have said my thoughts better.
‘Where I’m comin from’ is a track that once again shifts the focus back to Evol with a different style of track. A progressive bassline and some chilling bell tones over some fast lyrics from Evol make for another strong track on the mixtape.
‘If This Is Your Thing’ is an addictively catchy song with a chilled out beat with an equally chilled chorus. I’ve listened to this track possibly more times than other songs from the tape. The song is a tribute to old times of experimenting with drugs and sitting round familiar territories, anyone can relate to this song as everyone has had an experience with smoking drugs or someone they know have done drugs. This song also includes an excellent use of news reporter clippings.
The next song ‘All sorts’ is possibly the weakest song on the tape. Sanginga/Conga child works a lot better with the rest of the group and bouncing off the other members and in my opinion sounds slightly uncomfortable working on his own. That’s not to say the track is bad as the beat is awesome but I think Conga child would benefit from bouncing off the other group members.
‘Who you gunna call’ is a track that makes a welcome return from the first mixtape that has been polished to sound extremely professional. My only complaint here is that the intro lasts for slightly too long. Still a wicked tune though.
‘Mista Knowitall’ is a remake of the Stevie Wonder track and really captures the fun and bouncy style of Kalestix and reminds me of ‘Arrogance’ from the first mixtape. Once again the song shows Kalestix have the ability to grab an old classic and make it their own.
‘A day in August’ follows the same formula as the previous mixtape in finishing with two touching and thought-provoking tracks. This song is a touching tribute from Evol to his Nan, Mary Nicholls. I really liked this track and once again Evol draws on his strengths with his touching tracks that really do make you sit back and think.
‘Suicide Watch’ is the last track on the album with another wicked beat but unfortunately the lyrics aren’t up to the same standard. It’s a good track but following on from what I was saying earlier I’d like to see Conga Child getting more involved with the rest of the group and bouncing off the other group members like Jetic, Evol and Shorin do.
So at the end of the mixtape I was extremely impressed with how far the group have come since sitting in class at school and doing small ‘rap battles’ to each other. The group has matured a lot and has really come to grips with their strengths and weaknesses whilst continuously pushing their music into new boundaries. It’s rare to find a group that is as diverse as Kalestix. There’s a song on this mixtape for any mood.
With groups like Roll Deep, The Streets and Plan B and solo acts including Kano and Sway, it’s clear to me that this group is at the same level. Listening to this is an hour well worth spent. Sit down, relax, get a drink, smoke a cigarette (if you’re a smoker that is) and let Kalestix’s music do the talking. Minus a few minor problems the tape is near hip hop perfection. Don’t believe me? Listen to the tape and see for yourself.
