Low-Life | UK Hip Hop Story | Yookay - The Way That I'm Feeling

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Yookay - The Way That I'm Feeling 12" [GI Records]

Tracklist:
01 - The Way That I'm Feeling
02 - Our Show

These guys dropped their 12" back in October and only now have I had the time to sit down and write this. The guys aren't playing and have hooked up with Zzonked - the main guys in press and promotion and have been hitting their shit as far as it will go. These guys aren't really on some grimey underground tip, they are more commercial and this is why it is suitable for them to try and get out via more mainstream avenues. Apparently their single debuted at No 19 in the DJ Mag "Breaks and Beats" chart (out 1/10/03) and others have had some good things to say about them as well, although some reactions have been mixed, possibly in part due to the fact that Yookay are hard to categorise.

The group, if I have it right, consists of RooStarr and Mac Genie with Jarren C hooking up the production. The press sheet is complete gobbeldygook and doesn't help you understand the music at all, except to suggest that it is abstract perhaps? The debut release on their own GI Records contains just two tracks and no instrumentals or remixes. So what can we say about the two tracks? The opener The Way That I'm Feeling, which is shortened to just Feeling if necessary is a modern club track, not house, or garage, definitely still Hip Hop, but far removed from dirty breaks and has a touch more in common with Electro. Acts to compare to might include Fallacy or other acts on the edge of jiggy. For some reason this side is pressed at 45, where as the B side revolves at 33, hmmm. Anyway back to the track and for the opening Jarren loops up some MC Shan for the opening bars, but this isn't really where the tack is going. When the main beat kicks in it is more about the one note plucked guitar. A Neptunes type groove is set up and the additional guitar and horns enhance the track to make all three verses pass pretty quickly. None of the MCs really blows me away and a touch of work needs to be done on the diction and clarity, but together as a package it all works well and should have any club bouncing.

Our Show starts off with a similar intro to the first track, I'm not sure why. This track makes use of the timeless Funky Drummer drums over which some genuinely soulful Rhodes keys glide and bass accompanies. The lyrics on this one are a bit in your face for the mellowness of the backing. Both MCs adopt a more spoken style which fits with the track, a jazzy smooth groove which in part explores a broken family relationship. After a great breakdown we get an instrumental interlude with an added cowbell before it is back to the rapping. Many people commented that they would like an instrumental of this track and whilst not mandatory, until the level of MCing is clearer t could be good have a different version. Yookay aren't so much doing something new, but they are unusual as they are doing their own thing and have a different sound which is refreshing when so much of what we are fed is so similar.

They have also been getting out playing gigs when their crew is augmented with Blame Boy and Lacky for a full on stage presence. The pictures are from a gig in Croydon, and playing live is vital for any group trying to make their name. I don't know why, but there is something about a live performance that creates a buzz about a band. This is also something which Yookay plan to exploit as part of their many and various ideas for getting their name about. Initially they aim to concentrate on the student demographic with plans for listening booths in college canteens giving and environment conducive to experimenting. Jon states that he aims to be creative in getting out there.

Email Jon: jon@number9mpa.freeserve.co.uk :: Tel: 07967 376 204