CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

.

Run Come Save Me

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: Roots Manuva

Release Date August 13, 2001
As far as I'm concerned, "Witness" is THE British hip hop anthem; a razor blade-ripped cyclone of a track, ideal for Roots Manuva to rap about beans on toast over (yes, it's that lyrical reference again). The rest varies from quite good to good. "Ital Visions" and "Evil Rabbit" predate Burial by a good five years when it comes to transferring the atmosphere of a rain-soaked London night into sound; in fact, save for the intro, the whole 60 minutes is loaded with heaviness, with mechanical clicks, robosynths and even the occasional sample (there's like 2 on the whole record...), with a sound not unlike Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein. Like that album, of course, this also should've been condensed, but I applaud Manuva for choosing such a threatening ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

.

Connected

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: Stereo MC's

Release Date September 01, 1992
The title track was the hit and was so over-played that it might seem tiring. But the rest of the album is one of those rare animals, a mellow dance album that one can play all the way through without a single annoying track that makes you want to fast forward. Some reviewers seem to complain that there are no other 'hits' on the CD, but in a sense that's because the standard of each track is so equal that none is needed. Don't search for any single moment of brilliance - just play the whole thing as the perfect backdrop to whatever you're doing - seen in that way there are few better albums.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

.

Brand New Second Hand

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: Roots Manuva

Release Date March 22, 1999
This is definitely one of the most original albums produced in the history of UK urban music and for this reason I don't think it received the wider exposure it deserved. It's an comforting deep bassy sound, which is almost unique in my experience, one which completely mesmerized me 8 years ago, and still does today. I don't think he ever really improved on this personally, though others may feel the album is a bit disjointed. I have to say the second track 'dem phonies' does my head in and is probably worth 1 star at best, but the rest is fantastic, especially 'Inna', 'Strange Behaviour', 'Motion 5000' and 'Oh yeah'. It's getting on a bit now, but classics never really age and this certainly hasn't. It will always be one of my favourite albums by one ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

.

Music For the Mature B-Boy

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: DJ Format

Release Date March 24, 2003
This album is great fun from beginning to end. A lighthearted beat infused concoction this album is always entertaining and never dull. Even the cheesy cookery analogy doesn't tire and adds a bizarre kind of depth to this funky and upbeat album.

The guest vocalists add a dash of pedigree to the catchy tunes and while it is not going to be heralded as groundbreaking it is a cracking album that will never fail to add cheer to your day.

There are no low points with this record and I would advise it as a fail safe record for those people wishing to dabble in the murky waters of the hip hop world. I can guarantee you will not disappointed!

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

.

DJ Kicks - Stereo MCs

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: Stereo MC's

Release Date March 27, 2000
One of my favourite dj kicks along with kid loco.
A great selection of tracks,if you're musically aware, open your mind and your ears, you should love this one!
a real frenchman!

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

.

Dub Come Save Me

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: Roots Manuva

Release Date July 08, 2002
it has to be said this is one of the great dub albums ! if you like roots manuva you gwan looove this ! from the top to the last drop exellent ! be aware it does in some ways sit on the fence between UK dub and UK hiphop but it does it very well , everybody should own a copy .

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

.

Deep Down & Dirty

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: Stereo MC's

Release Date May 28, 2001
I was given this album for a birthday present and was not overly impressed until I listened to this album a couple of times in the car.

This has become one of my all time greats - the fantastic crossover of britpop/funk/rap/filth is totally fantastic - one of the greatest!

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

.

Biro Funk

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: Braintax

Release Date May 13, 2002
I'm not the world's biggest hip-hop fan. I'm often put off the fact that I have nothing in common with the (usually black) lifestyles alluded to and I dislike aggressive posturing lyrics etc. However I do like hip-hop beats and good, tight rapping.

Braintax is somewhat refreshing in that he is not just copying black, American rappers. He's kept his northern UK accent and taken his own experiences as a white British lad as the subject matter of his writing. I like this. It's not bogus and it shows.

However, personally, I wish he's take it a step further - root out and eliminate the remaining cliches still in the work. I preferred the tracks without the other (more cliched) artists and where he avoided rapping about how he's good at rapping.

Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

.

Supernatural

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: Stereo MC's

Release Date April 12, 1994
The real MC's can be heard on Supernatural where a mix of highs are prescribed. From the moving dub of Declaration to the jumped up funk of Lost in Music, MC Rob and the Head, without DJ Caesere (who had provided so much of their 1st album's euro-lick punch) exhilerate you with the sheer eclecticism of their music.

Supernatural offers all that the MC's did so well - creative, humourous, touching and plain old kicking. Two Horse Town and Goin Back to the Wild just shouldn't end as tracks, asking questions of the listener, whilst few albums reach out and hit you with it as this one does with I'm a Believer and Scene of the Crime.

Supernatural? Bloody cosmic!

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

.

Kik Off

CD-Charts > Music > UK Hip-Hop and Rap
by: Blak Twang

Release Date May 13, 2002
I heard this when a friend put it on at work. Didn't know who it was, wasn't expecting it. Within 3 mins, we were all going mental, loving this, laughing out loud, listening up, running around. It's that good. The music itself is excellent – the guy knows how to put a rock-hard groove in anong the samples and beats - and the lyrics and delivery are easily the best I've ever heard. The thing that really hits you is that he doesn't know the meaning of the word cliche - when so many rappers are putting out lazy rhymes, here every word is spot-on accurate, sarky, true to life and funny like you won't believe. The force of personality behind this record is amazing. There are a couple of tracks that are less to my taste than others - never been so much for the dancehall thing - but ... Read More: