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Universal Soldiers impressed me mightily on their ‘Street Veterans’ EP, but there was always a feeling of these guys could possibly give so much more. Well here’s part two, and they no longer promise anything, because they’ve fully delivered on this outing. Every single angle has been covered, from A H Fly’s superb beats, to Ultra and Ricochet’s gritty lyrics, it’s an absolute belter from the outset. ‘Immortal Kombat II’ has got superb production, with the strings stalking the background. The emcees could not fail to deliver over such a beat, but they have raised the whole package buy dropping some killa punch lines, all in all a highly entertaining track. ‘War Stories’ for me is the best track on the EP, and this track alone would be worth the money of the EP. A H Fly programs up yet another supreme dapper beat, which switches up enough to keep it fresh. The emceeing on this just takes the bare piss, I’ve not heard emcee’s get there timing quite so on point every time. The first verse just sounds like they must have been pre-programmed to do this track, because not a word is out of place, this track is a must hear for sure. ‘Street Veterans’, the title track, took longer to grow on me, where as all the other tracks have a very sudden impact, this one seems less original. The beat is good enough, but it just doesn’t have such a distinct feel as the others. The hook which is nicely cut up though adds some real needed spice to the track, so much so once the chorus has gone past once the track sounds better. Don’t know why, but it suddenly makes you notice the track I guess. The emcees can’t really be fronted again though always delivering the punch lines and metaphors, never missing. Final cut is ‘Rotten Apples’ which finishes off the EP on a high, with a cheerful beat, with lots of pauses and sharply cut samples and beats. Ricochet and Ultra prove that they can deliver the quality through four tracks, with never even suggesting a flutter in skill. I’m really loving this EP, I’ve had it on in my car for days just playing over and over, and for just four tracks they don’t grate on me. What strikes me apart from the production and emceeing is how well the sound is, unlike most UK stuff, its really clear and with no fuzz. Mixed by Braintax could have something to do with it, but who cares, I’m fucking loving it!
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Universal Soldiers Street Veterans Part II
EP