Fresh Coat

It’s not every day I get to cover a remix album! I’m trying to remember the last time I did one. But regardless this album is done by a Producer who I respect and admire, someone who has dropped some of the best sounding records of the last two years and that is why I’m choosing to write this one up! So let’s get into it!

This is the brand new ‘remix’ album by critically acclaimed Producer -Hi-Q that features the likes of
-HalfCut
-Godilla
-Pretty. Ugly
-Legit
-Le Zeppo
-Dystrakted
-B1 The Architect
-Tha Soloist
-James Joyce The Sasquatch
-Drew G
-Dope KNIFE
-Dent One
-Words
-Saigon
-D-Rec
-G-Fam Black
-Sankofa
-Louie Freelunches
-Ixion Form
-Elz Sinatra
-The Bad Seed
-Napsandreds
-Crotona P
-ZazaGod
-Mark Jordan
-King Author
-Jake Haw
-Chief Kamachi
-Coast LoCastro
-Ren Thomas

And that is a ridiculous group of names. I understand this is a remix tape but damn, he damn near took a quarter of the culture for himself to work with!

I’m trying to figure the best way to cover this album as these are already released tracks just tweaked and reconstructed. I suppose I’ll cover what I think are the best 3 new tunes on this record! So let’s start there!

There’s the track -Trial By Fire. This one stood out to me for it’s ’theatrics’ I’m a sucker for tracks that are cinematic in scope and this fits the mould! First of all that intro passage ‘Trial By Fire’ that’s accompanied with the combination of plucked keys and looped vocal snippets for extra effect!
Once the track officially kicks off we get this ruthless boom Bap sound that has these brand new vocal cords that has an eerie atmosphere to them like ghosts are singing!
Rattling drums, violent Ad-Libs and thick bass! If Dracula had a Hip Hop soundtrack this is what it would sound like!
I also love the use of Cuts and Scratches in the chorus section! It’s the perfect set up for the next man to spit! Like a sonic pallet cleanser!

I never thought I’d cover a song called -Unc but here we are! And I suppose the men associated with this one makes the title make sense! From Bad Seed, Crotona P and the others! Either way this beat was interesting.
From those elegant chords at the start that’s paired with those second layer keys and choir style vocals that later blooms into this damn near sombre/serious instrumental that utilises things such as rhythmic drum beats, a continuous loop of those choir vocals and sharp keys that creates this intense vibe for these powerhouse UNCS to go off on!

Track 7 -Lost Abyss reminds me of a darker James Bond soundtrack! This one contains a minimal vocal harmony that loops around the track. Those stripped-back horns, hard-hitting drums and later inclusion of violin strings and what sounded like a flute sample!
There’s also that continuous use of chords that brings you that 007 influence!
I love how towards the chorus we get all the instrumentation amplified to create the most powerful soundscape before the next MC starts! Very smart usage of the layers!

When we discuss the lyrical aspect I mean seeing the long list of names it should be pretty obvious the underground royalty on display and they don’t miss! Most songs are paired with one or two artists who help bring that solid chemistry to the forefront but further ignite the sharper and deeper atmosphere of the remix tracks to it’s utmost capacity!
Like hearing Seed, Crotona, Napsndreds, ZazaGod on the same track trying to out do next showcasing the dominance in wordplay and presentation was dope!

Hearing the classic Ft of -G Fam Black & Sankofa utilising their iconic duo status across that menacing instrumental was a fun one to listen to!
Hell, the track three with the levels of spitters such as Pretty.Ugly, Legit, Le Zeppo, Dystrakted and B1 The Architect all on the same track was absolutely nuts! Each man bringing a stronger game the the verse before and all over that gritty boom Bap instrumental was a sight to listen to!

If anything this large list speaks volumes to the artists that have cultivated the same amount of respect and love for the Producer as I have and noticed his quality and contributions to the culture hence why he can even make an album of this magnitude! I can’t lie and say I’m the biggest fan of compilation albums like this but there’s something special about seeing all these lyrical heavy hitters coming together under the ‘Hi-Q’ remix banner to remind the culture not only of their respective talents and personalities in the studio/mic but also how well crafted and well versed the producer is at his job and that’s what speaks the loudest here!

So make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate with the extensive roster and have fun finding your favourite remix track! Let me know which it is in the comments!