DJ Format Music for the Mature B-Boy LP
After a few well-received releases over the last few years, Brighton beat digger Matt Ford, AKA DJ Format, finally drops his first long player and a chunky slice of classic, good time hip-hop it is too.
Eleven tracks deep, the LP is split between vocal cuts and instrumentals starting with the funky ‘Ill Culinary Behaviour’- all organ stabs and rolling b-line - whilst Toronto emcee Abdominal flows like a rapping Gary Rhodes (okay, no he doesn’t) all over the ‘food = beats’ metaphor.
Elsewhere on the vocal tip J5’s Charli 2na and Akil rip into the current single ‘We Know Something’, supported by Format’s crispy breaks, sharp piano stabs and a lovely change into the strings at the end. Abdominal pops up again on the bassline driven, tongue in cheek ‘The Hit Song’ whilst fellow Toronto emcee Fatki brings the old school flows on the retro ‘B-Boy Code Pt2’. Bringing up the rear are those talented Bristol loonies the Aspects who are perfect for the laid back piano tickling ‘Charity Shop Sound Clash’ with a great chorus of “gifted, lifting pure class amongst the Tijuana Brass and James Last”. Classic.
As for the instrumental tracks, the dirty bass riff of ‘Here Comes the Fuzz’, frantic percussion driven Incredible Bongo Band tribute ‘Last Bongo in Brighton’ or cut’n’paste of the remixed classic ‘English Lesson’ should keep even the most discerning B-Boy dance floors busy. Format’s production is first rate throughout and the whole LP is refreshingly free of unnecessary skits or filler. And anyone who samples Robin Asquith (ask your Dad) is top in my book.
Defiantly old-school in attitude ‘Music for the Mature B-Boy’ wants to bring the block party vibe to your headphones. Don’t look for deep meanings or beef - there isn’t any - only funky, feel good hip-hop. Roll out the lino and let’s go.
- The Twizt
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