Various Artists Cafe Recording's Sampler No. 1 EP This is a Promo EP that does all that an appetizer should - whets your appetite, leaving you wanting more. The production is on point throughout, and the MCs and DJ on show all impress. It starts with a nice track based on the fictional 'Rap Oscars' which apart from keeping the listener interested and entertained also serves the purpose of introducing us to the crew, namely PAC (Powerful And Calm) the compere, Valu (forget the 'E'), the DJ Daddy Jaes (who apparently can't be there tonight having been caught in a brothel molesting audio systems!), JD the Genie, and The Antidote (who didn't really want to be there tonight, and delivers some smart lyrics on the falsness inherent in these occassions). All of the crew represent and the track hangs together wickedly, even degenerating into mayhem at the end ('security - get this man off the stage', 'I've lost me wallet','is this thing working?'). Next up is a DJ track from Daddy Jaes starting with a mix of 'This is your Life' an some porno moaning before cutting to a darker section where he exhibits his considerable scratching skills as the track accelerates before cutting off leaving you nodding your head at breakneck pace to silence. Side B starts with Hercules with some mental funny lyrics over nice funky beats. He's got a nice flow, takes bragging rhymes in a new direction, and on top of that does a wicked line in twisted comics. A super-talented bloke this. And when I say super I'm not exaggerating. The EP closes with PAC showing that he can do more with a microphone than compere the oscars. He gives us a wake-up call in 'Conspiracies', the topics ranging from genetic modification to censorship and brainwashing by the state. Interesting lyrics delivered well over dark beats and a booming bass. - Flat 4 | profile This is the first release from South London's Cafe Recordings label after the first track 'Oscars 99' had appeared as a Demo at the beginning of the year. To me new Labels usually represent hunger, rawness and originality, which are the things I crave for, and luckily enough are also the things that this record delivers. The song is set out like the Rap Oscars ceremony with each MC being asked to step up for their award and to drop a verse over a beat with a haunting horn. Thee Absent who appear to be the Cafe Recordings collective posse and comprise P.A.C (Powerful and Calm), who acts as the Compare. Valu, who states how he deserves the award, next is Daddy Jaes, who humorously provides the cuts via a 'satellite link' because he can't be there. JD the Genie gets the award for 'Making MCs See Red', and finally Antidote, who has to be coaxed to the stage and he states that he didn't even want to be there. Before the show is over people have to be escorted from the stage, and as the crowd leaves someone is herd saying that they 'lost their wallet'. On the second track on side A, DJ Daddy Jaes demonstrates his dexterity on the decks as he cuts up the theme from 'This is Your Life' (I think) and other stuff as well as the obligatory 'Aghhh', over a mashed Apache beat which speeds up to a mad crescendo, and abrupt ending. On the B-side Hercules (the man behind the first UK Hip Hop Comic Me-God) spits his 'Chrome Plates' track. Pretty much braggadocio raps, but hey - there is room for that too. To round up the EP in good style and opening and closing to the sound of footsteps, P.A.C. drops his 'Conspiracy...' over what sounds like similar trumpets to the 'Move Su'tin' track. This is a serious head nodder with a two note bass line and as part the chorus says 'If you are blind to the facts you had better open your eyes and realise this is education for the mind'. For an intelligent guy, like I am, this track feeds the part of my brain where the X-Files reside. He's definitely got the skills to flex a topic properly. If you need a crap comparison I think he has a touch of Nmonic about him. All together the EP is original and with tight production (from Jaes throughout), clear lyrics and with every contributor pulling their weight this release is well worth checking. Not sure how good the distribution is, but try to pick this up if you can. High point: It's all good. Low Point: It's on 45 and let down by getting the labels on the wrong sides. - QED | profile  Related Links: Cafe Recordings © ukhh.com 1999 - 2000