:: previous Parker ::

:: Ohhhhhhhh yehr! ::

: More Parker here : 

Above: Artwork for Lewis Parker’s ‘Episode One - The Big Game Instrumentals’.

Soon come on King Underground: Limited 140g vinyl + 7” for those record freaks.

Above: Back of the 12” outer sleeve.

More from Parker AKA The Man With The Golden Sound here and here. 

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11/07: OH!!! The Big Game release is now available in a combo deal with a Parker tag logo T-shirt (Dephect material), but snap it up quick, cos this is a 100 copy deal. It’ll look something like this:

Since I’ve written about Lewis Parker a few times now, and been absolutely amazed by his last releases, I felt it would be fitting to give it some sort of mix…and what better accompaniment than my recent genre of choice to reminisce upon…

…but Nu-metal.

The album ‘White Pony’, by Deftones is a gem. According to the BBC, Select magazine ‘damned it with a one-star review, claiming it unlistenable’, but I couldn’t disagree more. Despite the screaming, it’s strangely elegant. Of rock, it would be my desert island disc; intricate, syncopated, finely tuned drumming, with enough deep basslines, vocals that switch cleverly between angst and airy, heartfelt expression and very VERY suitable synths and dark sound sampling (oh, and the lyrics are abstract but poetic).

On a completely different tip (obviously), Parker’s ‘Dangerous Adventures’ is a great EP with some highly addictive instrumentals that jump between pomp and edgy string-led material. Think music from James Bond (Connery, not Pierce Brosnan!) and all that 1960s dated swankiness…but with a fat beat. 

If you don’t know, get to know! 

Without further ado, the two combined:

Ever since I heard Debruit’s ‘Nigeria What?’ (Civil Music, 2010) on the Chorizo show, SubFM, I knew the track had to be used, somehow. So here we go, mixed with another African-related piece (although more subdued in comparison) by Madlib, combined with some slightly chopped up prized samples, et voila:

I’ve included an extract from a recording I made during an interview with Lukes Morgan of the Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage. Oh, and I couldn’t resist an old favourite:

This could all be a huge marketing ploy, but if there is anything that this documentary shows, it is the healing & calming nature of Reggae.

The ‘Reincarnated’ Press Conference:

Above: Rammellzee . K-Rob : “Beat Bop”; Artwork by Basquiat

Earlier this year saw the release of an amazing single, both visually and musically speaking. Clearly based on the dramatic, sleek aesthetics of Ian Fleming’s legendary James Bond extravaganza (later adapted for screen by Albert R. Broccoli), the Shark EP by Lewis Parker was one hell of a bass heavy, slick hip hop project (his Twitter bio says it all; ‘The Man With The Golden Sound’). Read about that here. An instant reminder:

Well, my point is, we’re in for more delights! Courtesy of King Underground Records / The World Of Dusty Vinyl and in advance of the (ex-London) NYC producer’s forthcoming album ‘The Glass Ceiling’, we are now presented with a collection of new smooth beats formed on wax; namely this; the ‘Walking On A Razor’ 12’:  

Forget about Kanye’s Air Yeezy, this is where hip hop’s at! 

Just as the K.U.R website states, expect ‘hard beats and classic drums’, not forgetting the lounge-style vibraphones (makes me think of Bobby Hutcherson pon Blue Note) accompanied by rich n warm bassline sounds, and voila; Bob’s your uncle, fanny’s yer aunt - a genuine, raw, expressive, deep joint - boomting!

Remember this? - Above: ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ poster (1974)

Vocals by Sadat X (Brand Nubian) and Shabaam Sahdeeq. 

For me, ‘Part 1 Instrumental’ (see widget further down) is the jam - more subdued, deeper, still cunning though! Check out the audio excerpts…

and here…

…and the bare orchestrations (tracks 3 & 4) amongst others:

…plus the remaining artwork:

…and hopefully you’ll agree that both carry a retro flavour, without crossing that ever so fine line between being pleasing and just outright pretentious or contrived. 

But don’t sleep, cos the red (‘Deluxe Edition’) vinyl is a 200 copy deal and the last EP went like hotcakes (or hoecakes, as Doom would put it). £10.99 for such a bundle of joy ain’t nuttin! (Logo sticker included, for the enthusiasts).