DJ Nu-Mark and Pomo Blend Crafters Vol.1 LP Not content to be a prolific producer within Jurassic 5, a world reknowned turntable artist on his own and with partners in crime Cut Chemist and DJ Shadow, DJ Nu-mark is also busy working on a whole load of solo projects this year including his solo mixtape ‘Hands-On’, a solo album and the Blend Crafters project with long time friend and mentor Pomo. Blend Crafters is a project close to Nu-mark’s heart as it gives him the occasion to showcase a lot of his work on his own and away from the more conscious and at times happy vibes of J5’s concrete schoolyards. Alongside Pomo, who Nu-mark acknowledges as the man responsible for getting him into hiphop and mentoring him for years, as they would exchange beats back and forth from 1989 till now, Nu-mark delivers a lesson in beat crafting and melody making. Not an album as such, clocking at 30 minutes, it’s more like a demo or an insight into the mind of a producer. With no vocals what you get is half an hour of productions that will leave you gagging for more, from the catchy vibes of the opening track ‘Melody’, laced with the classic sample “What good is melody, what good is music if it ain’t possessing something sweet?” to the dusty kicks and snares of ‘Pow’ via the supped up funk of ‘Lola’. They even manage a nod to J5’s now classic ‘Jayou’ in the shape of ‘Flute Fidelity’, which will have your head bopping in no time with its funky woodwinds, twisted up sax and dishevelled organ. But like most talented artists, Pomo and Numark have kept the best for the end, a cover version of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’. And no they didn’t cover it for an easy attempt at airplay or cross over success (though if it happens I’m sure they won’t complain), they did it because as Nu-Mark explains “it just sounded too good to leave out, and when you play it out people all look at you like ‘what is this?’” And trust me he couldn’t be anymore right, their cover blows many previous attempts to pieces and will leave you wondering why someone hasn’t done this before. The sax on there is just so damn good, you will jump on your CD player to press replay over and over… This is going to be one summer tune you will want to go back to time and time again. So morale of the story is if you like good beats, if you like good hiphop and more importantly if you like good music then go and buy this when it hits stores because it will make your life better. Well maybe not but it will make you smile for sure. Blend Crafters Vol.1 hits stores on 2nd of August on Genuine Recordings. Look out for an upcoming interview with Nu-mark on ukhh.com. - K-Per © ukhh.com 1999 - 2003