HEAT WAVE

If there was ever a project concept I would have never expected Dub to attempt it’s this. ECW album? The hallmark for ‘hardcore’ atmospheres and revolutionising violence? And then we are expecting to put ‘The King Of Sunshine Rap’ over that? Well the only way I can judge is to listen and give my two seconds! So let’s go! This is the brand new album by MC’s -Sabio Dub & Malhee with production by Sabio and Dev Rogers with guests from -MISKEEN HALEEM Now. I’ll be frank. Going into this I wanted a more ‘hardcore/in your face’ experience considering the concept. I’m the worst kind of ECW Stan and so whenever I see someone use it to make music I become instantly skeptical and this album really isn’t the production I was wanting or expecting but then again neither was -Kemp Dupri and Soul La Flare’s project ‘SURVIVE IF I LET YOU’ so I can’t judge too hard it’s just more I wanted a heavier sound to match the gritty topic at hand! But that being said and judging the music for what it is I did have three stand outs! Such as -Tornado Tag. This one has a beautiful soulful atmosphere that features that subtle vocal harmony that softly goes through the track! Combined with what sounds like a second vocal harmony that appears on the backend of the first one! There’s also some plucked synth like chords, delicate keys and soft drum work! I also love my favourite part (the end) as it plays the original ECW theme! Definitely gave me goosebumps! The finale track -Back With It was a highlight as it was the one song produced by my other main man Dev Rogers! This one has an 80’s New Jack Swing feel to it with those luscious keys, funky bass strings and some minimal drums to make this a fever dream experience with some synth notes woven throughout the second half of the track! And then we have -2D. Obviously a play on 3D (with even a speech at the start by 3D) I love this one because It has a strong Jazz horn loop that’s combined with some hypnotic drum sounds and delicate keys in the background! Definitely my kind of vibe! When we discuss the MC work. I can definitely say Sabio and Malhee have put in the extra effort to remember the wrestling puns and references to keep it focused on the topic at hand. Although I feel there is a lot of general wrestling puns rather than strictly ECW (but again this was also the case on Kemp & Soul’s album) so can’t blame this one solely! As a wrestling fan it was fun to hear the various one liners and phrases woven into the album and as a hip hop fan both Sabio and Malhee prove their strong chemistry once again as they have time and time again across the years! Considering this album is only 19 minutes along and only features one guest rapper I’d say they did most thing right! From the trademark slick flows, on point synchronicity the two of them maintaining the balance of power and atmosphere across all the tracks and doing their best to keep up the wrestling aspect of the record, it’s definitely a stronger effort then what I’ve heard previously! Also MISKEEM’s verse was solid as per usual! His history with Sabio is well established! Look, do I wish I was heavier in sound? Yes. Do I wish the lyricism was strictly ECW yes. But also remember I am a huge ECW snob and so I’m very particular about that one brand and my views are alot more strict then others. If you aren’t as strict as me with this then you’re gonna have a blast because at the end of the day the music is fire and so are the performances!