A1 Skillz and Krafty Kuts Trickatechnology LP During a rake through the vinyl selection in HMV I stumbled across a 12” by these guys – A1 Skillz and Krafty Kuts – and the first thing I noticed was that it featured Kurtis Blow. Obviously I had to check it out, so I took it to the turntable and slapped it on. Was I impressed? Yes, very! This seemed to have everything I look for in music these days – Up-tempo with real funky beats – a real crowd mover. Anyway, I bought the 12” and listened to it to death. Every time I DJ’d it was always in my record bag, I cherished it – and I still do – but do you think I could find the LP anywhere? Could I hell. After a good month or two searching and searching, I eventually came across it in a Virgin store in some small, crap shopping centre in Edinburgh. Bonus! Back of the net! Cash back! I took it home and listened to it all night……………… From beginning to end, Trickatechnology has – in my opinion – everything you need in a Hip Hop record. The title track – Trickatechnology – is a real dance floor tune featuring TC Izlam. He provides the lyrics, and yes, he brings them to the table, party style baybee! I’m loving this. Track 4 – Simple things – features Real Elements on raps. This is a funky guitar number, the riff bringing that ‘shake your ass’ kinda vibe. This is one of the more chilled tracks on it but you still can’t help but get up and get down, ya get me. Track 6 – Gimmee the Breaks – features the man himself, the legend, Kurtis Blow. This is really just a re-vamp/remix of The Breaks but boy does it work! Track 8 is a short track, more like an interlude. It’s use of flutes is a nice touch and gives you just a moment to relax, taking you into the next track – Peaches – featuring Droop Capone on raps with a very nice hook to match. Apart from these two tracks, the rest is pretty much up-tempo. It’s the kind of album you can throw on in a party and let play from beginning to end, not offending any non Hip Hop heads. It’s good, please believe me. If you ask me, I say go and buy it, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed? www.fingerlickin.co.uk - Mr Hiz © Mister Hiz /ukhh.com 1999 - 2003