The Shakti The Shakti 12"
“Awwwww flippin’ ‘eck!”
The Shakti (Hindu for ‘creative energy’) are only the third Scouse crew I have heard on record (the others being The Butcher, way, way back in the day and the Lyrical Compact crew’s First in Command whom some may remember were the winners of HHC’s year long UK talent search back in the mid ‘90’s).
This is The Shakti’s first vinyl release and the St Helens crew have dropped an absolute gem, that has received critical acclaim in HHC (receiving a high rating review and featuring in their centrefold UK Hip-Hop chart) and Undercover magazines.
I’m not saying anything different.
The Shakti are THE most original Hip-Hop act out in the whole country and as time goes by more and more people are jumping on board. Put simply, there is nothing that sounds even remotely like them. As you can probably tell I’m really excited by this unique ‘Hip-hop Band’.
‘Shakti Pact’
Things get underway with a far eastern influenced beat as the lads crack on about being on New Deal, having no ‘big wheel’ and the daily realities of a certain type of common northern existence, as DJ Rasp cuts up nicely throughout. In the background a beautiful Japanese wind instrument blows, while a Japanese style string twangs out in another nice melody before vocalist Charlene kicks off nicely with a sweet tribute to her crew and family.
‘Northwest Escapades’
I promise you’ve never heard anything like this before.
A shockingly 1920’s flapper style, jazz horn, kicks off the track making you think “Fuckin’ hell did Glenn Miller crash land in Huyton or something!?”
A Reggae style trumpet blows throughout the rest of the track. This track is mad: For some reason the group ‘Madness’ comes to mind, probably because the track sounds a bit nutty (but in a crazy ill way believe me).
Enid Blighton and Buju Banton are referenced within just a few bars. References to ‘fuckin’ woolybacks’, ‘Skin’eads’, ‘Tokky’, ‘Rocky weed in Huyton’, ‘nuggets’, ‘blerts’, ‘shaggin slags’, ‘raggin’ slappers’ & ‘me ma’, set the tone of the Northwestern Escapades nicely.
There’s an absolutely inspired sample of Billy Corkhill slap bang in the middle of the madness. “Are you listenin’ to me? Well fuckkkkin look at me when am talkin’ to yer!!!”
Fuckin’ brilliant.
‘Somebody to Blame’
A track about how you only have yourself to blame for your predicament; but how it’s often more comfortable to find others to blame.
A real ‘band’ track were the whole crew reps including Charlene again who’s singing is (I swear) honestly comparable to an old pro jazz singer who’s been doing it for years. As she softly sings the hooks and little soundbites of what the lad’s are rapping, weaving in and out of their contributions in an understated incredibly smooth way, never taking over, while at the same time always remaining a constant and in the foreground….never overshadowed and never overshadowing….as the Shakti ask “Are we gonna destroy the planet, or are we gonna save what’s left”?
Obvious comparisons are going to be made to Eryka Badhu who is obviously a massive influence, but then the Erykah Badhu’s of this world have their Billy Holiday’s. Others will compare the crew to the Black Eyed Peas for their inclusion of a female vocalist. This would be unfair since they’re far tighter a band than the BEP’s, and it’s obvious Charlene’s position isn’t just that of a “Oh let’s get her to sing the catchy hooks and get that R’n’B market” and in fact her contributions are a well thought out integral part of each track.
Despite the fact that the fellas drop some conscious, tight lyrics Charlene’s contribution throughout is the real gem of this joint particularly her verse at the end of the track which ends fantastically with her confessing “I need somebody to blame; blame for my life” over a fading, underwater sounding piano loop.
‘Shakti Pact (Instrumental)’
This is an interesting joint ‘cos:
1) It’s not an instrumental
2) It’s a wholly different track to the first ‘Shakti Pact’ cut.
So the lads spit some nice flows over a funky 70’s guitar stab, Funkadelic styled bassline, about trips to Netto and Kwikies, the way sad twats dress, mixed race & mixed culture experiences, maxing out credit cards and birds with their head up their arse, whose mates they shag. The track is reminiscent of something Ozomalti would bounce around to….and that’s not a bad thing, that’s a good thing.
Quality.
Overall The Shakti’s self titled EP is a blend of honest, funny Hip-Hop done in the style of a proper ‘band’. With that in mind they are completely unique and groundbreaking within the genre of UK Hip-Hop. It’s clear that The Shakti are a real collective. A collective that respects the position of the DJ (Rasp’s fine cuts are given the exposure they justly deserve), and their talented vocalist…. both of whom are rightly given a vital prominent role in the band. The emceeing is of an original and high, quality with excellent social commentary seen through the eyes of a Northern perspective.
Very highly recommended.
Rating: 9/10
- Coakley
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