Low-Life | UK Hip Hop Story | Diamondcutts

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1979-1985

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1985-1990

Underground Years:
1990-1995

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Diamondcutts :: Demo CD

Tracklist:
1. Keepin It Real
2. 1 Time
3. Pad & Pen
4. Double Standards

Burton On Trent is in the house with the new sounds of Diamondcutts who have completed their heavy, inspired four track demo CD which they are presently getting round to the movers and shakers in the scene. They sent a tasty package through the post, but haven't included any background information on the crew at all!! This means all I can do is comment on each of the tracks individually.

The opening track Keeping It Real takes a familiar sample previously utilised by Braintax (Taxation?), but flips it in a totally different way. This is a great production which sounds a touch hollow to begin with until the arrangement changes up and almost a different track kicks in. For me I feel that the two sequences employed are a bit too different and don't totally fit together as well as they could. Never the less it is always refreshing to hear a track which does something different to just looping the same four bar pattern endlessly. The MC on here (T Reid) does a good job of keeping it real, the final verse talking about picking up girls.

1 Time utilises a lovely break which could come direct from a 70's TV show. Again this track contains different arrangements which don't totally meld together and the junctions between the two are a bit abrupt. Additionally the changes don't come when you would expect, with choruses starting over continuing verse sequence and what would be a great chorus arrangement starting a few bars before the chorus. An example of this is demonstrated here, the track opening with just the beat and it is a few bars or rapping before the loop kicks in. Additional rapping is delivered by S Marshall.

Pad & Pen hooks up another familiar break and whilst it is sequenced nicely it is just a bit too like the first time I heard this used and really needs to be chopped and sequenced in a more original manner. That is one of the problems with crate digging these days and that is that no doubt although you may think you have come across a fresh break you can guarantee that someone else has already got there and looped it up. With this some nice horns are mixed in as well as some atmospheric ooohhhs.

Double Standards finishes off what has been an impressive demo with a more original production which is a bit mad, over which the MCs get busy letting us know about both the double standards that they see within the government, but also within wider society and even in Eastenders!!

This is a great demo and is well up there in terms of aural quality, the reverb / echo on the vocals is on occasion a touch too much as it muddies the delivery. The only negative comments I have is that the producer - Mr Prentice needs to be aware of what has gone before him and the MCs need to try to maintain a level volume throughout their verses as on occasion it sounded as if they faded in and out a touch. Even having said this the MCs drop in their local accents and have a few topics which they need to express. It is also undoubtable that Mr Prentice has a good ear for a sample and a fat collection to select from. A bit of development with the changes in the arrangements and perhaps a bit more chopping to do, but the basics are most definitely there and then some. There is so much talent out there and you should be adding Diamoncutts to your list of people to check out.

email:diamondcutts@soon.com :: email:Bigdogzcok@aol.com
tel: 07969 371 927