Review: Twelve Caesars - Cointelpro (Ramrock Red Records)

If you're familiar with earlier work of Twelve Caesars you won't be surprisd that the new album is named after a FBI counter inteligence program between 1956-76, a twenty year period of attack on the voices of civil rights luminaries like Fred Hampton, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X, John F and Bobby Kennedy plus many more. 

Almost exactly two years to the day, Andrew Pipe and Stephen Ennever (aka Twelve Caesars) follow up the album 'Scenes From Wild Eyes Dreams' (see review HERE), a 12 track 'love letter' to the USA, bring us another investigation into the dark side of America with another dozen tracks to add to the single, the ballad of 'Ruby Ridge' (see review HERE) giving us a proper Bakers Dozen to get to grips with.

I don't know if they thought they'd 'Ride The American Wave' but they'd be lost of interest in from the current guys in the big white building about titles like 'Scorched Earth', 'Loves Loyal Emissary', 'Mission Creep', 'Trial By Fire', 'Freedom' along with 'Apartheid Street' and 'Falling From Graceland'.

Who know what folks in the future will look back on it these current times - has anyone heard anymore about the Kennedy file Trump has released on the public? -but we know that Ramrock are on top of this: also check out ROY INC x Darren Morris' 'Rivers Of Blood' with all proceeds being donated to Amnestt International (see review HERE).

BUY LINK: RRRLP014 - Twelve Caesars - Cointelpro | Twelve Caesars | Ramrock

Artist: Twelve Caesars

Title: Cointelpro

Release date: 7th April, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRRLP014

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: ROY INC x Darren Morris - Rivers Of Blood (Original Version) (Ramrock Red Records)

There's been much social media talk of the lack of protest songs these days at a time when stuff is hitting the fan even more regularly than previous decades. So, ROY INC and Darren Morris should be given loads of credit for taking on 'Rivers Of Blood', an infamous phrase given prominence on April 20th 1968 by a Tory Government minister speech in Birmingham, as they fight back with words and music.

It's nearly been a year since the ROY INC & Darren Morris EP, 'Credit Me' (see review HERE) and the new single is equally as stunning as the artwork.

The theme is typical of a spiritual style with the hope of brighter day in times of trouble; we're told, "This begins with the ‘right word’, perhaps alluding to keeping discussion and negotiations going in the best interests of peace, against a dystopian backdrop not too dissimilar to the ongoing atrocities in our present day confrontations."

It's particularly stunning; it deserves to be heard on the radio airways along with 60's soul protest classics.

If you're a radio station boss or presenter, or more likely, someone who appreciates some awesome music production (Ed. a given with these Ramrock guys) with some spine tingling strings plus backing vocals from a choir of Roy, Darren and Suddenly Wow's, Otti Albietz (see review HERE).

If you're a Joseph Malik's 'Adjust Like That' and the Oddball Creative's remixes (see review HERE), you'll love this and we're promised more ROY INC x Darren Morris collaborations and remixes of 'Rivers Of Blood' later this month on April 21st.

ROY INC: Lead vocals/ backing vocals, lyricist
Darren Morris: Keyboards, drum programming, string arrangement, bass guitar, composition, production, arrangement, mastering
Otti Albeitz: Back vocals

Artist: ROY INC. & Darren Morris 
Title: Rivers Of Blood (Original Version)
Release date: 7^th April, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR078

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Twelve Caesars - Ruby Ridge (Ramrock Red Records)

Twelves Caesar are back with a new single, 'Ruby Ridge' and is it another scene from wild eyed dreams?

Is it really a couple of years since Twelve Caesars (aka Andrew Pipe and Stephen Ennever) released the 12 track album 'Scene From Wild Eyed Dreams' (see review HERE) that included the BBC 6 Music hit, 'Calfiornia Sleaze' ? (see review HERE)  

The duo are back with their brand new 'Cointelpro' LP and their forthcoming single, 'Ruby Ridge', an All-Americana folk rock release with Byrds/CS&N/Eagles sensibilities - think 'prog'-mod tendencies from the South Coast (Ed - which is the best coast to be on for this type of thing)

Check out he 'Ruby Ridge' instrumental so you can really hear how good Ennever's Hammond organ solos are whilst the vocal version tells the tale of an everday tale from 1992 in Boundary Co. Idaho for the Weaver Family vs. FBI as they 'stand off' for the final shoot-out - maybe coming to a Netflix near you soon.

Andrew's vocals really suit 'Ruby Ridge' as there's a bit of seaside Style-Council to it - maybe the No'West Remix crew will have a bash or maybe a Darren Morris solo remix (see HERE) with a 'Union I' organ sample? (more news on what this means coming soon!)

Artist: Twelve Caesars

Title: Ruby Ridge

Release date: 28th March, 2025

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR077

Review: Accident Machine x Natasha Kitty Katt - Circus Deep (North Street West Remixes) (Ramrock Red)

We know that the Ramrock Records family have an 'out-there' vibe and when it come to the Edinburgh Contingent and 'Circus Deep', would they want to reel them in with a remix EP? Well, if they did, all thoughts have now gone to 'out of mind' with vocal remix, dub and instrumental versions.

Head honcho Jo Wallace has recently announce that they are branching out into the Noir with a Darren Morris album record in the Union Chapel (review coming HERE soon) but as the pair of them (Jo & Darren) re-purpose the original (see review HERE), the "spaced-out Afro-acid" track, be prepared for the noir dance.

If you can imagine the snake charmer style of 'Tales Of The Unexpected' TV theme with hypnotical clock swinging ("You are getting sleepy") but don't go to sleep as you're miss the D-Train / Blancmange/  Fun Boy 3 hybrid. 

We said when the original came out that it was so different to the previous release on the label (the mod/indie/Acid Jazz of DB Cohen's 'For the Love Of Ella' - see review HERE) and you could say the same with the North Street Remixes as all 3 versions are all brilliant in a really sinister type of way: even better played back to back for full on creepy - anyone for a trip to the crypt?

PS. If you happen to be in Edinburgh tomorrow, check out Joseph Malik's 'Proxima Variant Issue' at the Voodoo Rooms where the usual 'local suspect' wil be out on the town.

Artist: Accident Machine x Natasha Kitty Katt 
Title:  Circus Deep  (North Street West Remixes) 
Release date: 14th March, 2025
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR076
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Accident Machine x Natasha Kitty Katt - Circus Deep (Ramrock Red Records)

The Ramrock Records family have an out-there second home in Edinburgh and to some extent, 'out of mind' comes to mind with the awesome 'Circus Deep'.

This is a busy (dare I say, "Hectic") time for the extended Ramrock/F*CLR/North Street West family but if spaced-out Afro-acid is the thing on your dance floor, these guys ain't clowning around.

We know Natasha Kitty Kat from her scary monster/horror dancefloor tracks (on F*CLR - see review HERE and she's got an album coming out this year too!) who met up with Accident Machine (George T and Mairi 'b' Pots) at a session with the always stunning Joseph 'Only Fans' Malik.

Why these guys should think synth acids in the pecussive jungle with a spoken vocal should sound 'Circus Deep' in anyone's guess but with original vocal, instrumental and dub versons it's hard not to get imprisoned in a Kaa style serpentine hypnosis.

This is like a Fun Boy 3 that have run off to join a three-ringed circus run by like Daevid Allen(Gong), Ivor Cutler and MixMaster Morris - how good would that be?

This is so different to the last release on the label (The mod/indie/Acid Jazz of DB Cohen's 'For the Love Of Ella' - see review HERE) but there's a heritage connection in their somewhere (Ed. the spirit of John Peel?) such that they are all brilliant.  

Artist: Accident Machine x Natasha Kitty Katt
Title:  Circus Deep 
Release date: 14th March, 2025
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR073
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: DB Cohen - For the Love Of Ella (Ramrock Red Records)

Ramrock Red Records know how to get jazz heads interested in what was originally penned as a theme tune of a TV rom-com, no doubt centred on hilarious antics of characters played by the likes of Wilfred Pickles, Karl Howman or Bill Nighy!

Before that talking of love and r,omance, if you're a fan of Ella Fitgerald and were looking for cover versions for a re-launch of your radio show, look no further than 'Ella' from 1969 for 10 Super Hot pop-pickers choices.  

And nothing to do with this release by DB Cohen (last seen on YATM with 'Manchild' - see review HERE) where he's sailed upstream from the Essex delta blues, picking up Dr. Feelgood and Chris Hill's Soul boys from Canvey Island, only to dock around the corner from Loftus Road (a reference for all the fans of The Libertines out there).

This is energetic indie rock rampage that'll attract Acid-jazz-mod-rockers that have been touched by the Latin Soul of Snowboy and is slated for the tracklist of Craig Charles' BBC 6 Radio show; (he of 'Trunk Of Funk' - see review HERE).

Sounds like a late alternative feature to me whilst we await the album 'On Target' release

Artist: DB Cohen 
Title:  For the Love Of Ella 
Release date: 10th January, 2025
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR072
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Scorpio Leisure - No Apologies (The Oddball Creatives VHS Remixes) (Ramrock Red Records)

If you know your VHS from your Betamax, you're half way to loving this one already as The Oddball Creatives return to Scorpio Leisure's 'No Apologies' for a remix treat.

Fans of twangy guitars a la a slo-mo dub of Chris Isaak's 'Blue Hotel' (I know that there's loads of you out there who are) with an eerie post Halloween presence of 'Bela Lugosi's Dead' (Bauhaus, 1979) but with vocals by Hettie Noir in a 80s disco (and now there's even more fans out there into this), will love what The Oddball Creatives (aka Joseph Malik and Daniel Walls) have done on the remix of 'No Apologies' as it's got them instant access, past the Bouncers (Security), straight into the best of basement clubs with this one (plus the instrumental version).

This is so on-trend these dayz (Ed. ohhh, very VHS!) with post-punk disco re-emerging with 'Two Synths, A Guitar (and) a Drum Machine' (Soul Jazz) , 80s revival of Skeet (Almost Unknown/Efficient Space) and a look back to Edinburgh's Fast Product label.

You'll recall the Malik/Walls partnership we're responsible for the totally synth-funky 'Only Fans' from last years' 'Album Of The Year' (see review HERE) and but most recently the X-Press 2 remixes, see review HERE). 

The 'No Apologies' remix fits nicely in the ball park of F*CLR's Natashia Kitty Kat (also Edinburgh based) after her recent release, 'Intergalatic Vampire' (see review HERE) and don't forget Scorpio Leisure's 'Give Us Some Space' (see review HERE) that's equally great.

Now, where can I get one of those Poker/Golf/Tennis visors?

Artist: Scorpio Leisure
Title: No Apologies (The Oddball Creatives VHS Remixes) 
Release date: 8th November, 2024
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR071
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: The Secret Garden - Names In The Sky feat. Jo Wallace (Ramrock Red Records)

Whether it's the Garden of Eden, The Garden of Earthly Delights or indeed, The Secret Garden, here's the flowering of Mrs Ramrock on vocals for 'Names In The Sky'.

Jo Wallace, the boss at Ramrock HQ, has made an appearance previously on the label (see review HERE) was introduced by Dan The Drum (he of 'Jazzcazz - see review HERE) to Alex of The Secret Garden and the result is this great track, 'Names In The Sky'.

Whilst older readers may imagine a John Gordon Sinclair /  Clare Grogan moment on the "End Of Summer" headland/beach but this is always going to be "current" which is kind of ironic as Alex's inspiration and the title was inspired by a Nancy Wilson track from 1968.

But don't get the impression that this is all dreamy stuff as the track (with the instrumental) is serious disco-boogie-funk ready for the spaceship dancefloor (and possibly a dubby remix from the Morris & Wallace team?)

Another winner from Ramrock and perfect timing as ever. 

Artist: The Secret Garden

Title: Names In The Sky feat. Jo Wallace

Release date: 28th October, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR070

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: D.B Cohen - Manchild (Ramrock Red Records)

Troubadour D.B Cohen has a new album coming out and if it's all as good as 'Manchild', Ramrock fans (and everbody else) have got something great to look forward to.

DB Cohen's been drinking at the corner of 'Scratchcards & Wine' (see album review HERE) but on this new single, 'Manchild' he's channeling his inner Muddy 'Mannish Boy' Waters with a bit of Captain Beefheart.

And if you're recording in the hear of the Essex delta, you've just gotta call Mark 'Snowboy' Cotgrove - Latin jazz dance legend last seen on YATM supporting Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21 album on Wah Wah 45s, 'The Confluence' (see review HERE).

The 'difficult' (not in Dan's case') second album, 'On Target' is due out in November and  Snowboy production so more excitement next month.

Artist: DB Cohen 
Title: Manchild
Release date: 18th October, 2024
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR067
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: New King - Summer Sun (Mr Bassio Vocal + Vocal Lite Remixes + TOSS Remix) (Ramrock Red Records)

If there ares any sun kings out there, beware, there's a New King in town and about to be crowned!

Regular readers will know that we've been closely following the progress of the New King's 'Summer Sun' releases (see review HERE for the Original with a D.Foe remix and HERE for the Stefano De Santos Remix).  Now the Bank Holiday has passed and the kids are back at skool, is this the best of the triptych?

Well, trippy this triptych is and I've been saying, "New King are Rob Clydesdale and Mark Daniels from D.Foe, featuring the amazingly ethereal vocalist, Noah and Ruben Campos" and these vocals and Ruben's flamenco guitar expertise comes to the fore on Mr. Basso two vocal versions as it's out-there to D.Foe's "Balearic dub".

T.O.S.S does take them all into a main room beach environment where the summer sunburns are re-heated.

Some think that the Ramrock family should do a 3-part release for all thier works (but not Joe Probert's 'Hold Up' that came out recently - see review HERE) and I'd say all three of these releases are proof of that.

PS. Many will have seen the support Ramrock's "Daddy" Ashley Beedle has received this week and the GOFUNDME campaign; equally, if you feel like X-Press 2 to support by choosing 'music', this is another way, especially on a Bandcamp Friday.

ASHLEY BEEDLE’S FUNDRAISER FOR URGENT HELP AND ONGOING CARE HERE

Artist: New King

Title: Summer Sun EP (Mr Bassio Vocal + Vocal Lite Remixes + TOSS Remix) 

Release date: 6th September, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR069

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Joe Probert - Hold Up (Ramrock Red Records)

Ramrock's Jo Wallace knows you know after nailing down Bristolian Joe, now living in New Zealand, you can be sure this guy will hold up as a super talent.

Almost exactly a year since 'The Nose EP' (see review HERE) we thought that this guy was as funky as a mosquitos you know whats it but clearly he's also absorbed some of Joe Dukie's soul as he adopts more of that classic Motown soul soaked strings on 'Hold Up' (thats as equally impressive as vocals and instrumental versions)

Note, the label are adamant that there's no remixes or edits of these two tracks and you've got to admit, it's a perfect as it is.

This track has that type of impact of 'Sixteen With A Bullet' (Pete Wingfield) or 'I Can't Stand The Rain' (Ann Peebles) [kids, ask your grandparents] that shouts "MAGIC" at you!

Clearly the Ramrock team have done it again, amazing consistency release after release - we love 'em and Joe's album is going to have a huge impact.

Artist: Joe Probert

Title: Hold Up EP

Release date: 2nd September, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR066

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: New King - Summer Sun EP (Stefano De Santis Remix) (Ramrock Red Records)

Sun King's beware, there's a New King in town and about to be crowned!

Of course, a week is a long time in the reign of a New King because, just last week we were introduced to New King and their Summer Sun EP (Original Vocal + D.Foe Remix - see review HERE) and then we've got a Stefano De Santis take as vocal and instrumental versions.

You'll recall fellow "Ramrocker" Stefano from his 'Stick With Rhyme' and 'Unreachable Galaxy' releases (see review HERE) and he adds a layer of low down Latin jazz-funk shuffle and you get a vocal and instrumental version that's ready for a dancefloor warm-up.  

DJ Colin Curtis is a big fan of Stefano and he's worked with WheelUp too - Curtis and WheelUp where Djing in spiting distance of each other the other week at WeOutHere Festival so all of tthem know what get gets us on our feet.  

As you'll know, New King are Rob Clydesdale and Mark Daniels from D.Foe, featuring the amazingly ethereal vocalist, Noah and Ruben Campos.

So this is the 'middle' release of this 'Summer Sun' triptych so equally excited to hear the final installment..

Artist: New King

Title: Summer Sun EP (Stefano De Santis Remix) 

Release date: 30th August, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR068

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: The Jennifer Ewan Band - Space Girl (Ramrock Red Records)

On the space ship we find the high flyin' The Jennifer Ewan Band who has us in orbit with 'Space Girl'.

Nearly a year to the day that we found out 'Something Ain’t Right' on the EP by The Jennifer Ewan Band as it was our introduction to Celtic Cajun on the Clyde estuary banked by the Louisana bayou (see review HERE).

With an accent as strong as Susan Calman/Val Mcdermid (for the avoidance of doubt, that's a good thing), Ms. Ewan gives this tremendous swagger as we get the blast off.  

Be prepared for the instrument too with full accordion swing-a-long for Cajun and Zydeco types.

If you're in the Highlands for some golf or holidays, the band have been supporting Bill Bailey this summer and can be regularly seen at Edinburgh's Jazz Bar with their 'Bonnie Bayou' show and as part of the Fringe Festival.

Wonder if these guys could do a cover of 'Sea Cruise'?

Artist: The Jennifer Ewan Band 

Title: Space Girl

Release date: 19th August, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR064

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Dan The Drum + Ronnie Turner - JazzCazz ft Emma Noble (Ramrock Red Records)

Trust a serious musicologist 'of the cover' version like Jo Wallace (Ramrock/F*CLR head honcho) to know that the 1980 disco chart buster 'Casanova' by Coffee was not the original version!  

The original tribute to the exploits attributed to Giovanni Jacopo Casanova was sung by Ruby Andrews in 1967 and I bet they'd never have imagined that song re-interpreted as Dan 'The Drum' Spalding and Ronnie Turner have in 2024 with Emma Noble on vocals. It's full of cool 60s Blue Note/Dave Brubeck 'Take Five' swing with Emma's vocals perfect for the jazzification of the lyrics; "Hey boy, your playing days are over". They've even squeezed in a bit of a nod to hip-hop and dub; kinda US3 'Cantaloop' that was just as massive.

We're told there's lots more to come from this Spalding/Turner set up that's going to appeal to BBC 6 Music's obvious candidates like Craig Charles (what did I say on his latest compilation on BBE - see review HERE) and Gilles Peterson - and way beyond.....trust me

Artist: Dan The Drum + Ronnie Turner

Title: JazzCazz ft Emma Noble 

Release date: 26th July, 2024

Label : Ramrock Red Records.

Catalog Number : RRR063

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: ROY INC. & Darren Morris - Credit Me EP (Ramrock Red Records)

If you said that Roy INC. had a bad credit rating, you better check his history and give the man some credit, especially for the new single on Ramrock Red, 'Credit Me'.

As a singer / songwritter / composer / arranger / performer, Mr. INC. has worked with an amazing array of industry big heads over the years including Frank Ocean, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Grace Jones, Donna Summer, Sting, The Pet Shop Boys, Neneh Cherry, Mica Paris, Suede, The Verve, Living Colour, Johnny Hallyday, Eros Ramazzotti and Cerrone.

And on this 3-track EP, equal credit is due to Darren Morris as the pair of them conjure up a deep synth driven Acid-Italo-house that Cerrone, Horse Meat Disco, Joseph Malik, Martin Green, Rusty Egan, Dom Servini would all approve of.

There's a clean and original (explicit) versions with an equally stunning instrumental to get you hot and sweaty in club or festival location.

Ramrock Red's sister/brother/associate label, F*CLR stunned us with the synth-disco 'Galactic Love' by Natasha Kitty Katt featuring His Bitter Truth (see Review HERE) and they'd be more than enough to get the party started and the cheque book out.

And credit where credit is due, we're promised more ROY INC x Darren Morris collaborations in 2024 together with Joe Goddard (Hot Chip), George T (Mr. Malik), Hannah Holland (of Ashley Beedle remix fame) all joining in the fun.

Artist: ROY INC. & Darren Morris 
Title: Credit Me EP
Release date: 17^th May, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat. No: RRR062

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: King Bee ft. Dave Wilde - On The Hill (Ramrock Red Records)

It's so good to be back as King Bee are now 'On The Hill' and it could literally be that!

It doesn't seem that long ago that we were heralding the new era in jazz dance Brit-funk with King Bee's previous single, 'Good To Be Back' (see review HERE).  But can this new track be even better as they and Ramrock Red Records (and Mrs Ramrock, Jo Wallace in particular) are one rack away from winning the match (a term Mosconi Cup fans will know well).

Once more, the Newcastle based seven piece band that features the classic three horn front line with Chris Jelly on vibraphone, has Dave Wilde taking on featured vocalist duties for the first time giving a post-Weller-esque sound to their own condensed acid-jazz'd Incognito/ Chevalier Brothers/ Morrissey Mullen/ Beggar & Co. cool selves.

Expect even more support from DJ fans, Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music), DJ Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM), The Relex, and more as they all line-up to pot the proverbial 9 ball!

Artist: King Bee
Title: On The Hill ft. Dave Wilde
Release date: May 10th, 2024
Label: Ramrock Red Records
Cat No: RRR061

Review: Suddenly WOW! - Space Soul Mother EP (Ramrock Red Records)

We know your funk soul brother will want to know where your 'Space Soul Mother' is these days; Suddenly WOW! has found her.

Last summer we were introduced to Suddenly WOW!'s 'Plastic Life' other world but these space cowboys (aka Otti Albietz and Darren Morris) are now "out there" and this is their message from 2099.

In three parts, the main propulsion system being the 'Space Soul Mother' original version, the stripped back mix being the guidance system and the super dreamy instrumental which sounds to me like the structural element of the EP: all versions combine to deliver a mighty payload that emits space travel 60s optimism rather than private paid landings on the moon in 2023. 

Does this seem a lot different to 'Little Things' (see review HERE) and their big hit from last year, 'Plastic Life' (see review HERE)?  It's definitely less krautrock and more Hall & Oates mixed with a Balearic electric guitar with a touch of Bowie's space dub and some Love Unlimited Orchestra strings (and who wouldn't love that?).

Did I hear someone say, "Remix" - Naaaaaaaah, it's perfect as it is! And what would your (space soul) mother say? (Mrs Ramrock says....there could be a meteoric No'West remix in the asteroid belt).

Artist: Suddenly WOW!

Title: Space Soul Mother EP 

Release date: 29th March, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRR059

Review: Substance Abuse ft. Kurious - Don't Add Me EP (Ramrock Red Records)

Substance Abuse is a pretty cool name for a couple of High School kids that happened to find themselves growing up a the heart of the LA hip-hop scene in the 1990s; but what's this match up with Kurious all about in 2024?

Curiously enough, I find that I picked up their 'Profitless Thoughts' 12" featuring MF Doom a mere 10 years after it was released on Kutmasta Kurt's Santa Monica label Threshold Recordings, (Ed. it's take's that long for Imports?) but when you're hanging around Peanut Butter Wolf, Madlib, Declaime, Oh No and the like like they were, it's still a surprise that their 'Bridges' track (featuring Aceyalone) came on Ramrock Red  back in 2019.

Apparently, the connection with 'Bridges' was made via Ladbroke Audio's A&R man Neil who introduced Ramrock's Jo Wallace and Kurious is equally well connected with scene legends like Doom (particularly, on 'Born Like This' that features my favourite Dilla track, 'Lightworks') and Kool Keith (he of Dr. Octagon and many, many more).

'Don't Add Me' is more funky-jazz hip-hop, consious boom bap with the sideways poke (no pun) at the shallowness of the 'social media' fallacy of off quoted likes/adds/plays etc is some quality assurance (and that's without touching the evil of SM's role in the increasing list of teen/adult murders).  

Back to the record, in explicit, clean, instrumental forms, "Don't Add Me" is perhaps a reminder that social media can be a force tor good and any rap that warns us that, "Gil Scott-Heron will not post on Instagram" - is an odd mirror of 'This Revolution Will Not Be Televised'; a far cry from Kardasians/West self-implosion

Nicely follow's the label's Joeseph Malik's release, 'Be A Lion' featuring Kameelah Waheed (see review HERE) and in both cases, all are showing us that hip-hop still has substance and it's not to be abused; you do the sums (as the kids might say).

PS. Big radio shouts to BBC 6 Music for their Dilla day (especially Gilles Peterson for featuring BBE's Peter Adarkwah at Gilles Peterson - Pete BBE on J Dilla - BBC Sounds : as one Detroit resident put it, "it seems that you're doing more (to celebrate) than we are in Detroit".

Artist: Substance Abuse 

Title: Don't Add Me ft Kurious

Release date: 19th February, 2024

Label: Ramrock Red

Cat. No: RRR055

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: DB Cohen - Scratchcards & Wine (Ramrock Red Records)

Lately, there's been repeated remarks about 'cover artwork' and here's another, this is not a cassette but Ramrock Red Records' latest on vinyl by DB Cohen.

So you think you know Ramrock Red with their heavy influences from the US (like Twelve Caesars modern classic, 'Ride The American Wave' - see review HERE) and now, this album is actually a re-issue of a 2013 lost gem.

Ok, there's a strong Dylan influence at times with the 'Hurricane'/'Just Like A Woman' period harmonica, organ and lyrically cleverness but equally, the music seems to owe just as much to the UK with The Kinks, 2-Tone (more Dexy's soul and Specials dips into reggae), a touch of 70s Stones, throw in some Blur, the peak-swing of the Libertines and angst of Essex Bragg; quite a gig! 

In fact, Essex 'everpresent' Snowboy is on here (he of the 'New York Afternoon' LP and more recently seen on Dele Sosimi & Estuary 21 - see review HERE) as he produced the album and it's not surprising the influence spread as the London scene he gathered here have played with many head-liner acts like Faithless, Gorillaz, Adele, JTQ, Steve Hooker, Roger Daltry et al (oh! and Adele). In fact, I'm sure people were thinking the DB was all ready to be on all the top festival billings/chart success.  

But now's the time to give this album the love it deserves.  The past 10 years have done nothing to lessen the relevance of the songs.  Kicking off with a song about being a teacher, 'Shit Jobs' (of course, you don't have to be in Education industry to have one of those) and if you've got, 'Tim Smart on 'bone from the Specials' at your service doing his best "Rico", what more do you need?, 

Cohen's troubadour lifestyle has helping him with the subject matter of the songs with 'The Dealer' (remember: sometimes words have more than one meaning), 'Bus 142' (is that Fulham?) and the title track, 'Scratchcards'.

Unllike scratchcards, this collection has matured with age [like wine] and is sure to be 'Album Of The Week' on all good radio stations - putting my money on BBC 6 Music, Radio Essex and Colne FM for first a trifector/patent winner!  Bigger odds that a sratchcard.

A new album is planned for next year 'On Targe' (sounds a bit mod?) and I hope Snowboy can get involved as he did such a brilliant job here; roll on 2024.

Artist: DB Cohen 

Title: Scratchcards & Wine

Release date: 24th November, 2023

Label: Ramrock Red Records

Cat. No: RRRLP012 

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp