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Giant Panda – Electric Laser
Nothing on ‘Electric Laser’ quite utilises the raw, heavy bass and dirty drums found on ‘Fly School’ tracks Sho’ Improve and Just Cause, rather GP have added a more zappy electro current without losing the ability to make songs that are instantly appealing and have you nodding your head like nobody’s business. This album also proves they are equally comfortable on subtle, lounging tracks, none better than AIM that showcases Maanumental’s awesome undulating flow and clever rhymes and the laid-back rhythm is continued on Let it Go. Being rather multi-cultural, Giant Panda often like to poke fun at the different stereotypes associated with each of their races. You really must listen to Racist on ‘Fly School’ to fully appreciate new tracks like Precise Calculator which features a pretty cool Chikaramanga rap in Japanese. It’s also nice to get a taste of some dope scratching which I haven’t heard a lot of in other recent releases. Things get a bit more serious on Pop in which Newman expresses his concerns over the prevalence of homophobia in hip hop, and life in general, in particular the issues his dad faced after admitting he was gay later on in life. Predominantly the album stays on the lighter side of life, to the point where tracks like Laser Ray and Do the Robot in Cyberspace could be labelled a little gimmicky. The album even features a smooth song for the ladies in Cinemax.
La Bloquera (Giant Panda+Thes One) – Shine On
‘Fly School Reunion’ is a hard act to follow but GP signal their intent with ‘Electric Laser’ to keep creating music that is fun and reflects their passions and influences from comic books to coffee, graffiti to gadgets. This is best showcased in the ironically titled Same Old Shit, which is anything but. I would liked to have heard a little more grime on this album but you can’t really complain with what else they have provided. Giant Panda have developed their rapping prowess to display a greater range of tempo from their traditional fast-paced blitz to a cruisy lilt and proven they are no shrinking violets. It seems Newman, Maanumental and Chikaramanga have once again produced a truly worthwhile album that is sure never to hibernate in your collection.
You can check out more of Giant Panda at:
Australasia gets a little Tricky
Going to concerts has been an everyday thing for as long as I can remember now, from seeing my mother perform as a child, to the scar punk groups that had me moving my drunken teenage body like never before, and just about everything imaginable between and since. Such a part of my existence concerts have become, that I rarely feel the anticipation prior to seeing an artist or band these days, whatever their stature may be.
English Trip Hop legend Tricky however, was a different story…
Tricky has arrived on Australasian shores to play ‘Splendour In The Grass’ 2008, last night I was lucky enough to be at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda, Melbourne to see him… or so I thought.
Tricky feat. Ed Kowalczyk of US band Live and Hawkman
Evolution Revolution Love
Catapulting to fame as a recurring member of Massive Attack, Tricky decided to go it alone in 1993 with his recognition and fame only growing as a solo artist. Due to his countless collaborations, remixes, and fellow artists sampling him, (as well as having a mother who was infatuated with the Rebirth of cool mix-tapes during my pre-pubescent years), going to see Tricky was a well overdue and pretty exciting night for me. Unfortunately, the night was not as enjoyable as I had hoped it to be.
Playing an inspiring, tight collection of his new and old pieces, encompassing his infamous mash up of trip-hop, rock, hip hop, and assorted genres, the concert was more suited to a theater performance with seating and red wine as opposed to the sold out, sardine can room full of tall people and bright lights. Special thanks goes out to Tricky on the last point, stopping mid intro to adjust the mood by casually requesting “Stop! Stop! Stop!, tun the fucken’ lights down man, ’cause that’s just how we do this”.
His random yet gripping lyricism, in combination with his unusual, intriguing character allow his stage presence to compliment the brilliance of his music, performance, arrangement, and production.
If you have already bought tickets, or are considering it… DO IT! I’m just saying if you get the option to see him in your local jazz club, or maybe living room, then go with that.
A true artist.
you can check out more of Tricky at:
or see him at Splendour in the Grass
… bs
Clash Of the Titans
This new documentary released as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival takes a look at the Wellington live hip hop scene, as rappers declare verbal warfare to become champion battle MC. Shot over eight consecutive evenings during December 2006 it follows events as reigning champion Juse1 takes on his competitors who are mostly Wellington based but also include RuggedTek, a Drum n Bass MC from London, and Raysa from Johannesburg.
Clash of the Titans – short introduction
Independently produced and directed by Will Moore, the film had its world premier in New Zealand’s capital on 25 July. Moore, who is described in promotional literature as a long time hip hop supporter, believes that 
Clash of The Titans was “the first real Wellington hip hop story, driven by inspiration and passion rather than corporate branding. The lens has captured a freedom of expression”. The movie has a mixture of live free-style footage and behind the scenes interviews with some of the battling MCs including Lyrix, Ladysouljah, Rogue, Poetic and Xhale. I haven’t seen the film myself so can’t give any opinion or criticism, but you can check out some preview clips online to judge for yourself.
…Yossarian
The Black Seeds 4th album – “Solid Ground”
The Black Seeds are set to release “Solid Ground”, their fourth studio album on August 11in New Zealand and across Europe. Recorded at “The Surgery” in Wellington NZ, ‘Solid Ground’ was again recorded by Dr Lee Pebbles and produced by Black Seeds Guitarist Mike Fabulous. Forming in1998, The Black Seeds first made their way into our heart and headphones with “Keep on Pushing”, introducing a style of tamed energy before unheard of in wee New Zealand. As the years have passed, The Black Seeds have continued to treat us to their modernised reggae, funk, dub mix with ‘On The Sun’ and ‘Pushed’ in 2003, ‘Into The Dojo’ in 2006, and now ‘Solid Ground’ in 2008.
The Black Seeds – Keep on Pushing
Currently playing concerts and festivals throughout Europe in countries including England, Scotland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, France, with artists including Radiohead, Steven Marley, Jay-Z, & Groove Armada, the group return home to Wellington mid August only to announce their subsequent Australian and American tours.
What a life it must be…
you can check out more of The Black Seeds at:
Amsterdams newest addiction
With the amount of projects, tours and festivals Pete Philly and Perquisite have been bumpin’ lately, it’s no 
wonder they are the new drug of choice in the pleasure capital of the world. Their new single which they named their second album after “Mystery Repeats”, was released in Europe this month including a remix by Tony Shift and 4 exclusive live theatre versions (You can download the single on iTunes). ‘Mystery Repeats’, the album, has been nominated in Pete and Perqusites home country, The Netherlands, for the ‘3voor12 Award’! The award, which will be given out by ‘3voor12’ on September 4th, goes out every year to the best album of that year, according to the voters on the 3voor12 website, fans can vote for them at: www.3voor12.nl!
In 2008 for the 3rd year in a row, Pete Philly and Perquisite have been selected to play at their favourite festival ‘Lowlands’. As well as this they are one of 3 of this year’s winners of the dutch award “Amsterdamprijs’!”. The other two winners are architect Marlies Rohmer and video artist Julika Rudelius. The award, which is the most important art award of the city, goes out every year to those artists who contributed in a special way to the arts and to putting Amsterdam on the map. It’s the first time that a hip hop group receives the award which, besides the honour, consists of a very nice sum of money.
Somehow in amongst all of these projects Pete Philly and Perquisite have just recently returned from Japan playing concerts as well as filming the video clip for recently released single ‘Empire’.
Pete Philly and Perquisite – Empire
The next year doesn’t seem to be looking much different for two of the worlds hardest working musicians playing at Mundial (Netherlands), Summerjam (Germany), Splash (Germany), Exit (Serbia), North Sea Jazz (Netherlands), Gurten (Germany), Nuke (Austria), HipHop Open (Germany), Open Air Lumnezia (Switzerland) and Sziget (Hungary) just to name a few. In February, finally, they come over to tour Australia and New Zealand, brought to you by none other then The Very Good Agency. There’s some interesting collaborations the guys are working on with artists from Australasia too, so all you Aussie’s and kiwi’s who are fans… your in for some awesome crossovers with artists we’ve grown up listening, only with a funky hip hop and jazz twist.
you can, and definitely should, check out more of Pete Philly and Perquisite at:
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