half time whistle

The year (in vocals) so far, for me. Words to follow.

June Vinyls (3)

Well that's the domestic Football season done with for a couple or months or so! 

Considering I won't be making the journey to France this summer, keeping my bank balance in the black and my criminal record (slightly) more honourable than of late, there's only one certain way of keeping my brain ticking over at the rate it desperately requires - my second love - records.

A photo posted by Frankie Mines (@frankos9191) on Apr 15, 2016 at 9:59am PDT

I wouldn't like to estimate the amount of records that have came and left my bedroom over the years, particularly where Grime is concerned. My personal collection (i.e records I've bought, not second hand) started back in 2003, but as I've never been any form of DJ, I've only ever bought records I really like. I see many perfectionists striving to complete entire label discographies, and there's a few Acid/Hardcore labels where I've opted to trawl back and obtain every promo and white label where possible; in modern Grime labels, probably only Butterz, Oil Gang and No Hats No Hoods clock up multiple numbers for me.

Bit of old school Kano for yas!!! #grime #records #kano #wonder

A video posted by Frankie Mines (@frankos9191) on Apr 8, 2016 at 11:44am PDT

June see's the release of three exceptional records, most particularly the second all-star release from the Boxed label, with Logos, Spooky, Iglew, Boylan and Jawside contributing to this hard-hitting joyride of unrelenting, uncompromising and unapologetically authentic Grime. The Logos effort, Marked 4 Death Gunman, throws me back in to two separate eras: old-school Grime and 90s Jungle. I'm no production specialist, so it could be the same bass from that Waifer record or just a tribute, but the opening dialogue samples can also be found in Plasmic Life's incredible Death Trip,  another incredible record I own. Spooky and Boylan's colossus collaboration on Peckham To Hackney is my personal pick from an EP that's so heavy, even DJs with Hurclean strength will struggle to carry it around, expect to hear all of it in clubs everywhere this year - grab it from this link.

If you follow my sporadic posting you'd know all about AJ Tracey and Last Japan's brilliant Ascend, read my original post on it here, containing words from Japan himself as well as Coyote Records man behind the scenes. Just some further comment: that Impey remix is fucking worth it, I'm telling you. The build-up imposing a dream-state atmosphere in the listeners ears before a flurry of clicking and jabbing bass that brings out AJ's flow brilliantly. Purchase here.

If I hear this YGG remix in a rave I will be quickly kicked out by security.

— Frankos (@mfcfrankos) June 8, 2016

Coming up in a couple of weeks you have Amy Becker's remix EP which offers four different takes on popular tracks, with Logos' name popping up again, this time he's reworking the much revered Apple classic De Siegalizer. Installing some traditional breaks and small spoonfuls of bass, it's a decent take on a Funky classic, you'll never forget the first time you heard it! The Grime offering is provided by the young up and coming YGG crew who jump on Sir Spyro's Side By Side - as per the tweet above, if I hear this in a rave, I will lose my mind. Gun-finger Grime epitomised by the youngsters on one of the year's best beats. EP available for pre-order now. 

Grab these records immediately!! 

Listen: Capo Lee / Frisco / Bloodline / Kano

Amidst the wait for new interviews, I'd recommend checking some tunes I've got on repeat below. Axe FM is often left out when we talk about classic stations that defined Grime in the formative era, but it's contribution was valuable and helped shape future routes for many of those who were involved whether DJing or spitting. Axe is where Capo Lee originally plied his trade on the decks, but it's only quite recently I've heard his vocal efforts via a plethora of radio sets that have culminated in the monster single "Liff".



Vocally uncompromising, Capo Lee's traditionally direct Grime flow dovetails smoothly into Mystry's powerful and borderline haunting melody - if Capo's shifts on the internet stations were just a preview, 'Liff' cements the North Londoner as one to keep an eye on. Buy the track here (acapella on there for the remix crew).

Sticking with evocative rhythms and the North London scene, one of my all time favourites President T returns with a titanic effort in 'Kill Off Killy'. A big factor towards his perpetual career within the scene could be his creation of one of Grime's most recognisable and popular flows: quirky and unique but delivered in a typically stern and menacing manner which coupled with a trademark JME beat makes for great listening.

"Stop all the talk / I said stop all the talk / Punch punch punch punch punch punch blaze blaze blaze blaze / knock man into a daze / just come back from war / without a graze / over a million views / and I ain't talking plays"

That harsh old-school delivery extends throughout Pres' crew-mates Bloodline. In this case Big H and Bossman Birdie also lend vocals on this bouncy Sir Spyro number (all of who should need little introduction to the advanced listener) available to buy here and certain to deliver a massive impact in the raves.

With Bloodline Crew being one side of the deformed Meridian outfit, Boy Better Know makes up the other half and it's Frisco representing here being the first MC to join forces with long-time Grime collaborators Chase and Status on their latest project "London Bars". Entitled 'Funny' this vibe isn't a million miles away from the aforementioned tracks, amalgamating a classic flow with a vigorous, pulsing instrumental and more of the same should be expected on the duos forthcoming EP. An essential buy so click here. Massive shout out to the Spongebob crew: those that know, know.



Wrapping up this unfavourably short post, we head East of the river to the man on a blazing hot-streak at the moment: Kano. His triumphant return to his Grime roots came in the form of some absolute belters - 'Hail' and 'New Banger' plus the JME assisted "Flow Of The Year" - now he gives us the enjoyable speaker rattling "Garage Skank". Full of what we can normally expect from one of the scenes most distinguished contributors in terms of delivery and content, he references bits and pieces that bring great memories to people who've followed his career from the start until now referencing names like Mike Skinner, Sharky Major and DJ Fonti.

"Likkle mad ting with Ramsey and them man there" - a nod to his previous encounters vs Marcus Nasty and co.

"I kept money in the box that my creps come in / before my first Wiley cheque come in / so what them man are flexin' / them man are keyboard flexin' / well / your girl's pum-pum stinks like the A13 Beckton exit"

"We can get old school we can get set shit" - Grime radio. Here.

Watch the Risky Roadz edited video below and buy the goods here.