BANKSY vs. THE BRISTOL MUSEUM 2009

BANKSY vs. THE BRISTOL MUSEUM 2009
What’s this? Banksy returns to his home town of Bristol and puts on a massive free exhibition? Since Bristol is also monkeyboxing.com’s home town it would be rude and lazy not to pay a visit and thus, after endless moaning about the size of the prodigious queue and dissembling about why he couldn’t go today or tomorrow or the next day, the art gimp was summarily dispatched with strict orders to attend…VIEW PICS/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

DUCK DOWN signs to BLUE SCHOLARS/ Download free track 'Coo'

DUCK DOWN signs to BLUE SCHOLARS/ Download free track 'Coo'
Walking away from numerous record label offers, Blue Scholars will release several upcoming projects through a unique partnership formed with Duck Down Records, and Seattle’s Caffe Vita Coffee Co. On August 25, 2009 Blue Scholars will release “OOF!” their newest collaborative multi-media project and the first release to be distributed through their new venture. On September 1st, they will re-issue their 2007 album “Bayani”, which has already sold over 20,000 units. “Bayani Redux” will include one brand new track and two songs that were previously available only via digital retail outlets. There will also be a brand new full-length Blue Scholars album and other projects coming soon. The sales and distribution model developed by the group for their upcoming releases will allow them to maintain complete ownership of their music and total control over how it is marketed, sold, and even given away.

Instead of signing a standard artist/record label deal, Blue Scholars hired the label Duck Down…GET YA DOWNLOAD/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

CHALI 2NA: Fish Outta Water - 2009 - Album review

CHALI 2NA: Fish Outta Water - 2009 - Album review
HIGHLIGHTS: Comin’ Thru
SOUNDBITE: “They claiming that my brain’s in prison/ Some people say that 2Na’s insane with my vision/ They blame my decision to remain on a mission”
RATING: 2.5/5
I’m tempted to ask if fish out of water suck or blow as there are times when this does a bit of both – musically anyway. Now before you get all, “Whoah – someone’s bitter because Jurassic 5 split up!” – it’s not like that – although I can see when I tell you the most Jurassic 5-like track on this (arguably Comin’ Thru) is not only far and away the best one – a banger even – it isn’t going to help my case. I think J-5’s number was up when they split anyway – at least collaboratively – with rumours of metastasizing egos and all, though Feedback wasn’t a bad LP. In any case, while Comin’ Thru maintains the J-5 penchant for a funky boom-bap break and hook (perhaps because it was produced by Nu-Mark) it dispenses with the ’dusty breaks’ sound and offers a noticeably cleaner modern-sounding production. And it’s not just the groove that works, for 2Na’s lyrics on it, while playful, are clever enough, “I'm much more than just some backpack crap/ Intelligent rap act or militant black cat... I'm/ Killin' venemous platinum plaque rats” – so I was kind of hoping for more in this vain. Which brings me to the rest of the LP…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

SMOOVE & TURRELL: Beggarman - Video

SMOOVE & TURRELL: Beggarman - Video
Smoove & Turrell's Beggarman 12" will be out soon. In the meantime - have a gander at the video. It seems the recession has hit Newcastle so badly that, for some, mirrorballs are having to double as headgear to keep the bitter northern cold at bay:…WATCH VID. @ MONKEYBOXING.COM

THE BEASTIE BOYS (feat. NAS): Too Many Rappers – 2009 – Single review

THE BEASTIE BOYS (feat. NAS): Too Many Rappers – 2009 – Single review/ Download
RATING: 5/5
“1, 2, 3, too many rappers and there’s still not enough MCs,” point out the Beastie Boys here proving there’s life in the old dogs yet. Although, now I think about it even rappers are starting to look a bit thin on the ground in hip-hop these days. Putting aside for one a minute about who’s ‘just a rapper’ and who’s a true MC - who have you got in terms of household names who maintain any sort of regular presence in the general public’s eyes apart from Jay-Z, Nas and Lil Wayne? Fiddy? Now he is just a rapper but there are kids hanging around ouside my local shops who can’t remember the last time he…DOWNLOAD/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

DANIEL MERRIWEATHER: Headline UK Tour

DANIEL MERRIWEATHER: Headline UK Tour
(PRESS RELEASE) Daniel Merriweather’s critically acclaimed and highly anticipated album ‘Love & War’ debuted at No. 2 in the Official UK album chart and has now shipped in excess of 180,000 copies, certifying it gold. Meanwhile, ‘Red’, the anthemic follow-up single to the airplay smash ‘Change’, was a top 3 airplay hit, entered the chart at No. 5 where it stayed for over four weeks and has now sold over 200,000 copies. Daniel’s forthcoming single ‘Impossible’, (the third cut to be taken from ‘Love & War’ due for release on August 17th) is already Radio 2’s ‘Record of the Week’.

Now, following a recent sold-out gig at the Bloomsbury Ballroom on June 3rd 2009, Daniel Merriweather is>…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

MANDRAKE SOUNDS: Planet Rock Remix – 2009 – Single review

MANDRAKE SOUNDS: Planet Rock Remix – 2009 – Single review
RATING: 1.5/5
As the title would suggest, what Mandrake Sounds have done here is remixed Afrika Bambataa’s seminal old school electro/ space funk/ hip–hop classic. Of course the whole point of a remix is to change something - which they have - for this is a dubstep version. Which got me to thinking that breakbeat culture is a funny one isn’t it?
Out...later in the year…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

COOKIN ON 3 BURNERS: Soul Messin’ – 2009 – Album review

COOKIN ON 3 BURNERS: Soul Messin’ – 2009 – Album review
HIGHLIGHTS:
SOUNDBITE: “”
RATING: 4/5
The Melbourne funk mafia strikes again. Yep it’s all a bit like that down there – what with this lot sharing guitarist Lance Ferguson full-time with The Bamboos as well as both bands using two of the same vocalists in Kylie Auldist and Fallon Williams. And it has to be said that – as you might expect – the musical output of these associated acts isn’t wildly different. Like The Bamboos the ‘ Burners regularly plough the JBs furrow and The Meters furrow and sometimes the Blue Note furrow though where, for their third LP, The Bamboos opted for a more heavily northern soul influenced direction, Cookin on 3 Burners continue to pastiche their normal influences but – and here’s the science – changing things up from their excellent debut by
…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

ETNIES: Sal Barbier – Sal 23 In4mation

ETNIES: Sal Barbier – Sal 23 In4mation
What do you know? An actual proper skateshoe company has picked up on the massive demand for classic retro styles that has enabled Nike, Adidas, Converse and Puma to coin it in for the last few years at great expense to Etnies, DVS, Adio and all the others who’ve gone out of business. Clearly looking at the big players and thinking, “We’ll have some of that,” Etnies have…SEE PICS/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

DANIEL MERRIWEATHER: Impossible – 2009 – Single review

DANIEL MERRIWEATHER: Impossible – 2009 – Single review
RATING: 3/5
I’ll tell you what seems to be impossible - creating a crossover nu-soul hit that keeps both the masses and the heads happy. Ever a greasy pole to climb, so far the only act demonstrating anything like the superhuman grip necessary has been Gnarls Barkley. At least since the seventies.Out 17 August on Allido/ Columbia…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

KYLIE AULDIST: It’s On/ Made Of Stone – 2009 – Single review

KYLIE AULDIST: It’s On/ Made Of Stone – 2009 – Single review
RATING: 3.5/5
The gorgeous voice of Kylie Auldist (which sounds better than ever on this) plus funky backing from The Bamboos on the lead single off forthcoming second LP Made Of Stone ought to be soul gold.…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

KOASTE: Billy The Kid EP – 2009 – Review

KOASTE: Billy The Kid EP – 2009 – Review
RATING: 4/5
‘Billy the Kid’ wasn’t Billy the Kid’s real name. Perhaps unsurprisingly, ‘Koaste’ isn’t Koaste’s either. Here, however, the latter likens himself to the former, characterising himself as a renegade who doesn’t give a shit if you’re feeling his steelo or not, “If you don’t like me, then you don’t like me/ I think it’s pretty likely that you’re not like me.” Not quite Shakespeare admittedly and a little pedestrian for one of the monkey’s favourite UK emcees - it’s the price you pay for setting such a high standard – anything that’s merely ok draws disproportionate attention…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

DANIEL MERRIWEATHER: 'Impossible' single released 17 August 2009

DANIEL MERRIWEATHER: 'Impossible' single released 17 August 2009
RATING: 3/5
(PRESS RELEASE) Impossible is released on 17 August 2009 by Allido/Columbia Records
…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

GHETTO MULLET: Unearthly Hours EP – 2009 – Review

GHETTO MULLET: Unearthly Hours EP – 2009 – Review
RATING: 3.5/5
Unearthly Hours finds the band with one of the filthiest names in music end up where I suspect they might have been heading from the start. To put it another way - if last EP Sunday Morning Hangover saw instrumental hip-hop flirting with techno, this time around it gets its comeuppance with techno giving hip-hop rather more than a come-on. Where are we? That’s right - Warp Records territory…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

BIG BOSS MAN: Full English Beat Breakfast LP - September 2009 release

BIG BOSS MAN: Full English Beat Breakfast LP - September 2009 release
(PRESS RELEASE) The long awaited third album from Big Boss Man; Full English Beat Breakfast is released from September 2009.

Recorded by the band at their 8-track ramshackle studio, the album was mixed by Nick Terry (Klaxons, SMD) at Studio 2 at The Premises, Hackney, London. As usual the band have made good use of their extensive collection of vintage (and temperamental) gear for Full English Beat Breakfast. Head honcho Nasser (a.k.a the Bongolian) plays mini-VIP, Farfisa and Hammond organs, Wurlitzer piano, Moog synths and drums and percussion. Driving bass beat and fuzz guitar is provided by bassman Scott Milsom "the Hawk" and guitarist Trev Harding. The band have once again created a superb spaced-out selection of prime 60’s inspired dance floor tracks:…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

ADIDAS Skateboarding: Summer 2009 pt. 2

ADIDAS Skateboarding: Summer 2009 pt. 2
Here you go then – the latest Superstar that wasn’t featured in the first monkeyboxing.com feature about Adidas’ summer ’09 drop. It has to be said that the monkey’s not really feeling the black/ ‘electricity’/ lead colourway nor the see-through sole.

Oh yeah – and how about this – there is a skate version of the Campus with a cup sole after all. Don’t…SEE PICS/READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

Underexposed!…QUEENS ENGLISH

Underexposed!…QUEENS ENGLISH
(PRESS RELEASE) A 5 strong banana bunch of trouble, remaking the world of hip-hop in their own image. Banging at the gates of heavy entertainment, lean lyricists Sherlock and Leon Rhymes bounce off the soulful vox pops of MC Source and the beatbox genius of Pikey Esq (UK Beatbox 2007 finalist), tied together by scruff-bag disc-jockey-cum-producer, Something Else.

Their story is one of…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

SWAY: Mercedes Benz – 2009 – Single review

SWAY: Mercedes Benz – 2009 – Single review
RATING: 3.5/5
Not an ‘urban’ re-working of the Janis Joplin track (though that would have been amusing), Sway is right there at the cutting edge of grime with this Marva Whitney-sampling 'joint'. Unwind Yourself was already two decades old when Mark The 45 King made it the basis of his 1987 hip-hop classic The 900 Number. And then…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

GRAND FLAVOUR: Summer collection 2009 (pt. 2)

GRAND FLAVOUR: Summer collection 2009 (pt. 2)
More cool threads but I’m confused. Australian style-mongers Grand Flavour dropped what they called their ‘Summer collection ‘09’ back in January when it was summer in the southern hemisphere. Now,…SEE PICS/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

SUNSETSOUL: SunsetSplit EP – 2009 – review

SUNSETSOUL: SunsetSplit EP – 2009 – review
RATING: 5/5
Typical. You start to despair of a lack of decent funky tunes and then loads come along at once. Here, Leipzig’s Sunset label continue a near flawless run of releases with the SunsetSplit EP, a four-tracker of ridiculous mash-ups. Funktomas splices Fontella Bass’s Motown classic Rescue Me together with the vocal remix of The Gravediggaz’ 1-800 Suicide boosting the bpms…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM