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Panika delivers a debut album of 11 conscious, thought-provoking hip-hop tracks. Her lyrics are cleverly penned and her ideas make you think outside the box. Her delivery is easy on the ears and is still quite young-sounding, and in its early stages, but with practise, no doubt this will improve.
My favourite track is # 3, Orbit. Panika speaks about escaping to another planet, a fantasy rhyme about a better place. "I’m looking for a place where I don’t have to pledge allegiance to anything except celestial harmony, defending member of the galaxy army." The music is a perfect backdrop for Panika’s celestial raps to sit within.
There are also tracks about telemarketers that annoy us during dinner, about genetically modified products and the negative effects and about being a vegetarian. An insightful story- teller, speaking about day to day things which we can all relate to.
Musically, there is a mix of electronica and hip-hop beats. Number 11, Falling is an interesting almost instrumental track with subtle vocals woven in.
A great first attempt, but I look forward to hearing her second album. Natural bubble-gum rhymes, without the additives.
- Check out a Panika track in Take the Rudder's Podcast.
- Is Panika playing near you? Look at the Gig Guide.
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Silence the Sirens is the second full length release from Muph n Plutonic. For those of you that aren’t familiar with their work, Muph & Plutonic are a Melbourne based Hip Hop act. Muph is an accomplished MC, with lots of experience performing here and overseas. And Plutonic Lab is a producer, know for both his solo work and for producing local acts.
If you liked Hunger Pains, Muph & Plutonic’s 2004 release, you’ll be sure enjoy Silence the Sirens. It’s a similar offering. Muph provides insightful lyrics drawing on real life and Plutonic Lab skilfully crafts beats and samples.
But this new album is more developed and more diverse. The album delivers both high energy and more laid back songs. There’s a wide selection of beats, great samples and atmospheres that really add depth to the tracks. There are also lots of guest appearances on the album, whose inclusion enhances the songs. Like Aussie singer/songwriter Red Ghost’s vocals on Lost Ones that really pull on the heart strings.
Muph’s lyrics are as perceptive and relevant as ever. He has an inventive but genuine ability to tap into and express the experiences of people today. Like in The Day Off about trying to reclaim some autonomy from the working life. Or Muph's exploration of modern love and heartbreak in Still Say Sorry Thou and One Side of the Bed.
Silence the Sirens is a great album that will please all the Muph & Plutonic fans out there and will likely attract new ones. It’s released through Obese Records and should be available now at the usual music outlets.
- There's an audio review of Silence the Sirens and also a sample of a Muph & Plutonic Track in the Podcast.
- Check out the Gig Guide for Muph & Plutonic shows.
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I put on True Live’s debut album and I’m struck with the sound of a mournful lone cello. The opening track of The Shape of It sends a clear message - leave your preconceived notions about hip hop behind.
The Melbourne-based 6 piece takes cues from a diverse range of musical genres including hip hop, jazz, classical and world music. Despite this being their debut album, True Live has already attracted much praise from the oz music community and it’s easy to see why.
On tracks such as Side Steppa, True Live’s RHyNO proves he has the chops to match any other MC in the business. His solid rap skills are backed up by band members with years of experience and conservatory training, allowing True Live to deliver their unique sounds live with a line up including drums, double bass, violin and more.
Their unique take on hip hop is exemplified by Evolution, a perfect blend incorporating lounge jazz and laid back hip hop. True Live use the different styles to their full expressive potential and despite taking so many influences on board, they manage to construct songs where the disparate elements complement each other.
You can take The Shape of It at face value, as a collection of unique and danceable tracks, and “…just bounce around” as RHyNO says in their hit single TV. But you can also take a deeper look and find revelations in both the perceptive rap lyrics and the depth of the album’s sonic landscape.
The Shape of It is a remarkable album that signals a new mutation of hip hop in oz and internationally.
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Nfa, best known as the frontman of 1200 Techniques, stepped out earlier this year with a solo album – Cause an Effect. The first single was the album’s title track; the second is Seduction is Evil.
It’s definitely a catchy track, with a pounding bassline that grabs you and makes you move. I can picture it already as a dance floor filler at clubs across the nation.
Three remixes are featured on the single. Nfa adds some new grooves in his own remix of the track and Ol Kin adds some well chosen samples and effects. Seduction is Doogoo, a version remixed by Roots Manuva, ups the tempo and gives the track an unexpected new sound.
The release also includes Seduction’s racy video clip directed by Heath Ledger. It evokes the feel of a poker hall in the depression era while also managing to combine tabletop dancing and special lightning FX into the mix.
The clip, coupled with the song title and lyrics (“your daughter should be a porn star” etc), did get the feminist in me a little peeved. But it does seem to be a fairly honest, rather than exploitative, expression of desire.
It’s amazing how Nfa keeps delivering such high quality tunes, first in 1200 Techniques and now solo. Seduction is Evil is surely another hit for Nfa.
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The official debut EP from Melbourne-based hip hop outfit, Diafrix, has a distinctly international flavour to it. At times, reminiscent of De La Soul and Fugees, the EP caters to the lounge-listener, sub-woofer-cranking car-head, b-boy and club-clinger, as well as the avid musician. A mix of well-produced, original music, soulful singing and rapping, the EP canvasses the talents of all five band members.
The band consists of two MCs- Azmarino and Momo, one composer/producer- Ptero Stylus, one DJ- Wax Vandal, and one vocalist- Nadee.
The long-awaited official EP has been a long-awaited addition to the bands' many credits, including winning Triple J's Next Crop Act for 2005 and a finalist place in the Noise SOYA. The band has also supported acts such as Stereo MCs, Butterfingers and The Herd. Among the stiff competition in the underground hip hop scene of Melbourne, Diafrix could easily be the next ‘big thing'.
The EP offers five original songs and a CHASM remix of the title track ‘In Tha Place'.
My favourite song is track one- ‘In Tha Place' featuring Illzilla's Mantra. The juxtaposition of the Aussie rapper with two African-born rappers on a club-banger will really play to the mixed tastes of OZ hip hop fans.
With a killer live show and quality record to boast, Diafrix can expect a good reception from the Aussie hip hop scene. They have already managed to build a loyal fane-base in Melbourne, and this EP shows the rest of Australia why.
- Release Date: 18th November 2006
- Check out the Gig Guide for Diafrix shows.
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