If I Could…

With a title as self reflective as that one, who can resist the urge to click play and find out what was going through the mind of these two men when the record was made? Thankfully I don’t have to wait long because that time is now! This is the brand new album by MC -B1 The Architect and Producer -DJ Goadman with the likes of -Shark -Eclyse -Skizza -Sacredd And alongside these 4 men of the underground apocalypse we get going on an album that is B1 utilising back his straight forward, gritty boom Bap exterior where he’s holding the game hostage alongside his beat maker brother! I love the product value on this album because it feels old school and compelling in a 90’s era kind of way. That classic bombastic, in your face savagery that was commonplace for our teen years! I get the same vibe on these ones! A few tracks to point out! We’ve got tracks like -Celestial Tunnels which has this beautiful sense of atmosphere with those subtle piano keys, sci fi style Synth chords, mellow drum work and one of the more lowkey usage of bass but when all this comes together it creates a truly ‘celestial’ experience that is further empowered by the various features on the track! In fact the track -Return To Paradise was a fantastic offical opening track of the album! This one has that true boom Bap feel with the combination of those shimmering keys in that eerie loop, thick bass and truly mesmerising drums that takes over your senses until the track is done! This is the first sonic statement by B1 to tell the culture ‘this ain’t that conceptual shit, this just straight hands!’ Even the song ‘If I Could’ which might be the more hypnotic instrumentals on the album! You’ve got those mind alternating horns that work in harmony with that haunting minimal vocal loop! This also has some diabolical bass and sinister drum work that adds a skeleton to the track! As I keep trying to point out. This ain’t conceptual B1, this ain’t trying to be no ‘thinking man’s album’ or anything philosophical! This is just straight, gritty and heavy hitting verses that remind you that even though he maybe underrated he ain’t the one to fuck with! I feel a slight edge to his delivery on this one as if he’s personally trying to get the attention of everyone in the game to remind them just who he is! Heavier wordplay, sharper lyricism, smoother flow, more of a brash tone to his performances and a killer instinct attached to his songs! His approach is more straightforward as in the 23 minutes of this album he’s barely giving himself time to breathe inbetween the tracks! The only time he’s not rapping is when the features take over and as usual B1 cultivates a strong chemistry with the one involved! So, pretty much if you’ve been a fan of B1 and all his work up to this point then you’ll love this album and the more direct approach! If your more interested in his grand, conceptual efforts then maybe you’ll find this more basic and cut and dry but one thing can’t be understated it’s his ability to rock the mic and work with just about anyone to make quality hip hip music! So go support!