The Mak of All Trades The 4 Stripe Tracky EP EP
Hailing from the streets of Liverpool The Mak of All Trades brings us The 4 Stripe Tracky EP - and I was pleasantly surprised to receive a copy on both CD and wax. The Mak is a rarity in Hip-Hop at the moment – an MC and beatsmith who can actually play instruments… competently. Not only does he work the boards but he also plays guitar, bass and flute. With fellow Shakti Crew member DJ Rasp (Regional DMC champion) providing the cuts it would appear we’re set for treat.
Things kick off with Argyle Sox, a playful track about those rockin’ the chav-fabulous chic (read: fake brand-name clothes, tracksuits etc). The beat is simple and clean, which gives The Mak room enough to grab the track by the bollocks and run with it. With some nice brass stabs to get things moving along smoothly The Mak sends out a message to the less fortunate out there, which is summed up nicely on the press release: “if you can’t afford the latest fashion in sportswear, you should be proud of being a Mef”.
As well as a lesson on ‘keepin it real’ when it comes to fashion The Mak also verses MCs on the problems of being a little too competitive (Nowadays), and even gives free English lessons to somewhat lost lyricists on the third track Soundin’ English. Dealing with fake American accents, fake Jamaican accents, fake London accents and fake fronts in general this is by no means a new or original subject for a British Hip-Hop track. However, The Mak covers the matter with a good amount of humour and freshness that it doesn’t sound tiresome. The beat is sufficiently funky and DJ Rasp keeps things going nicely on the tables.
The last track is On Your Toes, a fast-paced commentary on the current state of affairs in the UK Hip-Hop scene, and it brings the EP to its conclusion nicely.
The only major problem with The 4 Stripe Tracky EP is that the vinyl version has Argyle Sox, Nowadays and their instrumentals on the A-Side, with Soundin’ English, On Your Toes and their instrumentals on the B-Side. I would have preferred Vocal versions on the A-Side, leaving the B-Side a strictly instrumental affair. But, I guess if that’s the biggest problem with your EP you have very little to worry about indeed.
The only other thing I would say is if you’re into your mid-90s sounding, sample-frenzy dark Hip-Hop this probably isn’t for you. More of an Iron Bridge than the Brooklyn Bridge, things never change dramatically from one song to the next. Due to the shortness of the EP this doesn’t really become a problem, but a more varied collection would be essential for an LP (which I hope is in the works).
The 4 Stripe Tracky EP is a solid release from The Mak. The beats are interesting, DJ Rasp puts cuts just where they’re needed, lyrically it’s very strong and The Mak has a mammoth presence and character on the microphone that immediately grabs you by the short and curlys. His lyrics often transform songs into bite size lessons on life which are both humorous and serious at the same time. A juggling act the best circus freaks would toil with, but which seems to come easy to The Mak.
His lyrics often transform songs into bite size lessons on life which are both humorous and serious at the same time. A juggling act the best circus freaks would toil with, but which seems to come easy to The Mak.
- Jenre
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