Bohze Beats Butcher Shoppe Chops Review
Just dropping for Valentine's Day is something that made my heart skip a beat when i saw it scrolling passed in my news feed. *Yes ok, excuse the painful pun*. Over the last few years as i've been showered in great UK hip hop here at Underground HH HQ, a few names have stood out above the crowds. Just a few that with their musical hammers manage to hit my nail squarely on its head. One of those artists is Glaswegian stalwart, master of the mic and of the buttons - 'Bohze'.
The History... Head honcho at one of Underground HH's favorite independant UK labels Southside Deluxe, Bohze has been around since the UK first found its high tops. Beginning in the late 80s with fellow hip hop experimenters Defy, Smiz & Sace in the now infamous - II Tone Committee, by the time the 90s hit they were known as pioneers of the UK hip hop sound. Along with NC Epik and Chuck, Bozhe took the scene by storm with Sentanalez who embellished us with a great number of stunning releases. More recently with Scottish super-crew Toy Control has dropped some big singles and Southside D itself has celebrated gems on its roster from the likes of Scattabrainz, Girobabies and Physiks as well. As the popularity and indeed the quality of the music has developed over the last few decades, Bohze has remained at the top of his game and this new release serves to show yet another branch to his dominating old Oak.
Under the moniker 'Bohze Beats' he has dropped for our aural pleasure 'Butcher Shoppe Chops'. An instrumental album of brand new trip hop grooves as well as just a hint of his recent forays into the war on mediocrity that have been re-imagined as instrumental magic. There is something for every mood here, the depth of the production is apparent from the get go and Bohze proves his authority in beatology with every change and development. Head bobbing towards each street corner with a groove in our steps, as we turn each track opens eyes and ears wide.
Bohze clearly has a refined ear for the sounds, samples and instrumentation he uses. From the introduction of 'Caravan' to the closing track 'Swaheging', each tune is steeped in hip hop swagger. Beautiful bass and banging beats all coloured with well calculated melodies and astute vocal snippets. Even the most critical of ears would be hard pushed to find a single second the album faulters.
This is beat making at it's best. Another collection of deluxe tracks from the Southside crew, this display of instrumental dominance is yet another arm of Bohze's vast hip hop tree. Perfect headphone fodder as much as it is dance floor filler, the collection of vibes blessing the dustcaps is nothing short of stunning. Bohze's back catalogue should make other hip hoppers weep and it shows no sign of relenting. Now we at Underground HH await more from the SD label with enthralling anticipation.
Invokal - Verbalist Journalist
