Low-Life | UK Hip Hop Story | Ed209

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Ed209 - Superexstatic EP [Voodoo Rhythm Devil]

Ed209 is another in the long line of producers who are helping to spearhead the continuing resurgence of Hip Hop from these shores. Ed hails from that little known Hip Hop spot - Leicester and proves that there is talent right across the country. His main partner in rhyme is fellow Leicester resident MC Eyezofman, but for this release he has also enlisted the lyrical talents of Cappo and A-Bomb. Cappo comes fresh from the success of his Spaz The World LP and, also from Leicester, Eyezofman's brother, 15 year old A-Bomb breaks through since he first made his name on the internet as a 13 year old. Ed209 says that he is inspired by the attitude of Nottingham's legendary P Brothers and the success of their Heavy Bronx Experience series and on this debut release had adhered to many of their core principals. In fact he managed to get the P Brothers to oversee the mixdown and so that harsh sound is replicated here.

The EP Superexstatic opens with 209's Theme, which in turn opens with a collage of Robo Cop type samples before the heavy beat kicks in with fanfare horns and crash cymbal. These horns continue in the verses for which Cappo opens with intensity and fury and newbie Eyezofman states his case for verse two, but then all too soon it is done. Eyezofman's verse sounds a touch distorted, but that could be intentional, such is the rawness of this release. There is nothing like starting as you mean to go on and and that is what is done here - the terms of engagement are set.

Welcome To The City mellows things out a bit, stating off with a siren which is mixed with a plinky piano riff which is juxtaposed by classically pounding drums. Eyezofman continues to impress, his Leicester accent coming through clear and his descriptions of the intricate structures of concrete and other factors which shaped his personality intrigue the listener. Ed209 could probably be quite accomplished at constructing Trip Hop instrumentals due to the large number of chopped up snippets he is able to incorporate into his music. This is no bad thing though as touches of Public Enemy or Grandmaster Flash are well chosen and point to Ed's influences and the partially nostalgic nature of the production.

88 Burner starts off with a heavily filtered bass which only sounds right when the rest of the instruments kick in. It has another feel mainly created by the smooth strings sample chosen for the main break. Again there is a contrast between the melodies, the severe drums and the mad JBs sax, but this would seem to be the sound Ed209 is going to be synonymous with. Brothers Eyezofman and A-Bomb go back and forth on the retro tip paying homage to previous artists and fashions. One of the throw away lines is 'how could Nelly dare to diss KRS', a question many older heads will be asking themselves and gives you an idea of where they are coming from. Ed209 gets to further demonstrate his beat making skills as he chops up an opening of answerphone messages for Mo Brandy a set of bonus beats which could make a credible track, but seems a bit incomplete here.

The B side opens with 1000hp which is a sheer barrage of noise. Again the track makes use of Cappo on the vocals the whole . However the B side mostly has instrumentals - c.i.t.y. the bonus beats track for Welcome To The City, and the instrumentals to 88 Burner and 1000hp. Ed209 takes old well known breaks, especially drum loops, but has a way of flipping them to make them sound refreshing. This is most definitely a continuation of the Heavy Bronx experience and look out for Superexstatic part 2 which could feature Out Da Ville MCs as well.

If you like your sounds hard, then you are going to want to pick this up. If you like regional accents than you are going to want to pick this up. If you have an open mind and want to listen to something a bit different then you are going to want to pick this up. If you pick this up quickly then you might be lucky enough to get a fold out poster designed by Mr Jago and Ed209.

Production by ED209 :: Mixed by ED209 & the P Brothers :: Engineered by Mark 'The Gambler' Gamble 2003
Voodoo Rhythm Devil Records / 209 Productions

Ed209 Discography
Visit Ed209 on the web: www.superexstatic.com