Shire Roots Vibes Grow EP Review
It's easy to get excited doing this job. The wealth of talent flying out from these shores right now is nothing short of phenomenal. UK hip hop is well and truly alive, and more than healthy. Here at Underground double H we're in a great position to see where these bursts of creativity spread from, and one of those many areas is Devon. Reaching from the Bristol Channel in the north to the English Channel in the south, this patch of moorland and marshes produces some mighty music, and what we're reviewing today is no exception.
Shire Roots come across the moors to bring you the Vibes Grow EP. Out on Irie Bingo Music, the EP produces merging hip hop and reggae sounds from the Irie Bingo Soundsystem massive. Disorda (of Suspekt Packages) describes the MC and producer thusly... "(SR) crafts solid reggae riddims, alongside Blazenstein, with a head nod factor fully engaged." Hip hop and reggae/roots music have had a long standing friendship, and it would be accurate to say that the art of MCing began with those first sun soaked sound systems, before mixing itself up in the American beat poet scenes and becoming the sound we know today. This alliance is displayed beautifully well in this release, and reminds us just how well the two marry.
Working alongside some very special guests in the form of Jman, Clinton Sly & Joe Burn, this collection of roots culture music attempts to drag the audience straight in front of the sound system where they demand you proceed to skank until dawn. And it succeeds with flying (red, yellow and green) colours. Additional production also comes from Kris Kemist and Weedy G for the last two tracks on the EP, and together the 7 tracks do a stunning job of not only vibrating the dance floor, but of lacing the ear drums with some clever lyricism and passionate political points as well.
The whole package is available on CD and in digital formats, but is also out on 180gsm heavyweight wax, and sports a beautifully designed cover by Mr Skillmatik. I for one am hooked after one listen, and i hope they're make the trek across the coast to play here soon. Underground HH will be watching out for more from these lot, and we'll keep you posted on their movements. Go grab your copy now!
Invokal - Verbalist Journalist
