DJ Blakey The Essence (mixtape) Fresh from retaining the title for the Northern heats of the DMC's Blakey hits us with his debut mixtape aptly titled 'The Essence'. The South West Londoner has been labeled by DMC insiders as 'without doubt a future DMC Champion' and with an aim 'to bring a show containing a wide range of party rocking tunes, whilst demonstrating a skilful presence on the turntables', his effort is extremely easy on the ears. Almost 80 minutes long and 24 tracks deep the CD is littered with shouts from DJ's of Blakey's ilk such as Plus One, Skully and Benny G which is a little annoying but I guess it serves a purpose coz we now know that Blakey is running with the best of them. The mixing is smooth, scratching is actioned sparingly but is on point and the variety of tracks is dope. Right here you've got anthems from Big L (Platinum Plus) and NORE (Nothin'), the hardcore form Mobb Deep (Quiet Storm) and Gangstarr (Natural) as well as soulful joints from Slum Village (Fall N Love) and J-Live (Like This Anna) and the humourous with a skit from Pitman who rants about the usual shit he's pissed about. Prescribe the miner some prozac, with all his negativity he must be depressed! The only real criticism is the severe lack of UK artists which appear as only Phi Life Cypher, Roots Manuva and Chester P represent. But that’s only from my point of view, so go buy it and make your own mind up. - Munible © ukhh.com 1999 - 2003