• Larceny: 20, Catford
• D-Swavo: 19, Catford
• Suspect: 20, Lewisham
• Scavenger: 21, Streatham
• Grimzy: 19, Thornton Heath
• Mantis: 19, Bermondsey
• Out-Rage: 22, Streatham

The group name, the London Affiliates came about naturally as it is a description of who they are. They are from different areas, but still hang together. This Mix CD is their first full project and they are hoping that it will help to gain them some exposure and eventually a record deal. Most of the production work is undertaken jointly by Grimzy and Jack Daniels who can knock up an arrangement between themselves.

So now they have this 10 track mix CD doing the rounds. Each track focuses on a different line up of MCs. The MCs can rap, but the mix isn't ideal with the volume of the lyrics on the first track being mixed too loud making the track sound like a spoken word track when played quietly in the office. With some eq and a bigger set the music can be brought out, but this shouldn't be necessary. The production when it can be heard is all self composed and has a sound module feel to some of it, but never the less Grimzy and Jack Daniels don't utilise the cheesiest sounds and can flip a groove and create their own riffs. Larceny comes correct on his descriptive Come To A Party track which whilst the party is referred to in the lyrics it is not a party track. It is slow paced and Larceny is able to drop in a clear spoken style.

D-Swavo comes a touch different with lyrics that start off a lot dirtier and more animated. The beat for Swavo Edition has a feel of that Mad Skills freestyle that Liberty Grooves put out with its main descending tone. The Art Of War has a very ploddy drum machine type beat, but the MCs liven this track up and flex. Kung Fu sounds fill out the break or bridge to the track. The intro to I Don't Know You features cool female vox from Charm and is the most finished sounding mix so far. The track works on a soppy love theme, a two way collaboration cut on which Scavenga opens followed by Larceny.

There is a bit of a juxtaposition going on here though as many of the beats seem to be more backing and metronome rather than bangers you turn right up, but the MCs seem restrained by this music and sound like they could do with getting a bit more aggy rather than staying on the semi-spoken word vibe. This is true for Oh My Dayz Blood where I wanted to hear the MCs get real rowdy.

The tracks with Charm on sound more complete and Keep Your Head Up also sees Suspect spit forth with a touch more venom. No Neacks, towards the end of the CD is for me one of the best tracks and seems to have more of a bouncy feel and funky bass line. Scavenga and Larceny team up well on the mic and sound more incorporated into the track rather than sitting on top of it. To finish off there is a one and a half minute freestyle dropped by D-Swavo. There may well be some pre-writtens in here though as D-Swavo doesn't really loose the beat or his flow throughout.

Whilst the CD is called a Mix CD, it isn't mixed, it is a collection of tracks laid back to back. It is a mix of artists and generally the group has talent, commitment that is intense and immense dedication. I found it a bit hard to get beyond the mixdown which on occasion could do with a bit of work, but there are ideas and a certain amount of appeal here. I would be interested to hear how this crew develops. Additionally, be on the look out for D-Swavo's Front Room Session, set to drop soon.