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CLG - Streets, Demons And Fears CD [CLGonline.co.uk]
CLG - Streets, Demons And Fears CD [CLGonline.co.uk]
Tracklist:
01. Black Hole
02. Stay Sharp
03. Concrete Life ft. Seedpopular
04. Troubled Souls ft. Rely, Trz, Kelz, Manage, Mister-E, Griz Bear & Sirplus
05. Same Waffle ft. D-Raw & Mister-E
06. Restoration Of Pride
07. Ease The Pain
08. Streets, Demons And Fears
CLG not to be confused with GLC, has been around for a while now, first hooking up with Mr Manage and getting out as a performer at open mics. He formed Expect No Mercy with Manage, DX and Kope and performed some high profile support slots. Since then he has appeared on several guest spots for artists including K.Ners, Dark Circle, Natty, Disorda and Defisis. His first outing on was was as the featured artist on Mr Manage's Defcon released heavy Early Life Crisis. Streets, Demos And Fears is the debut EP from CLG but the list of guest appearances is impressive featuring both big names and bringing through some newcomers.

The CD comes with a nice black and white booklet which features some of CLG's lyrics as well as some pictures of CLG spitting and writing and a tube map of where he is from. It is good to see someone put more effort into producing a complete package rather than CDRs as it makes such a better impression and additionally shows his confidence in his lyrics and underlines the fact that he wants people to hear and understand what he is saying. This is the sign of someone who believes they have something important to say. Unfortunately the data CD only contained a shortcut rather than any info, so the visuals and background info presented here is a touch lacking.

The CD gets sparked with Black Hole an impressive start in which we first hear the distinctively coarse and rasping voice of CLG combined with the loud production of Trz for Soulah productions. A bit start and stop with no overarching groove, but heavy none the less. Stay Sharp is the 12" vinyl release as well and features beats from Chemo who has produced for US artist Cage. The sharpness relates to both CLG's literal knives and lyrical blades which can put your life at risk. The tragic lesson to learn is that one can't show weakness otherwise all manner of grief will be brought down on you. The final verse flips what has been a dark verbal battering into an educational note to both parents and kids about the dangers that kids see around them and how easy it is for them to catch on to badness.

Concrete Life is a classic in the making. Rek puts together a tremendous feeling backing for fellow American Seedpopuar from One Life to start off the lyrics with an impressive verse. CLG holds down his side with more eye opening realities, intelligent, honest and meaningful lyrics delivering a visual depiction of inner city environments and homelessness. Troubled Souls is a mammoth London - Bristol eight MC collaboration with Trz on the production adding more orchestral strings and DJ Quest (2003 UK DMC Champion and 3rd in the 2003 Wold DMC Championships) laying down the cuts. Each MC sounds good and tries to out do each other with what they call a 'horror show' which explores poverty’s impact on an individual's way of living and thinking.

What as so far been an impressive and well mixed offering continues with the Barrington Levy sampling Same Waffle. A track which laments the lame waffle that is these days spat by a multitude of MCs. Joined by MCs D-Raw and Mister-E, who are new to me, CLG gets busy over CLG's own co-produced reggae infused bass line, and goes a good way to exposing many pretenders and their fake blinging ways.

Restoration Of Pride is the biographical tale of CLG's hard life to date. He has seen a great deal on his estate and had to grow to be a man before he was really ready. Mental illness and violence combined with his mothers love and struggles have formed his soul. He has battled racism, pain and stress, but this track is primarily about how he has overcome all this and is laying his demons to rest. The EP continues with the penultimate track - Ease The Pain, which is a bit more laid back and is also a bit of a come down after all the battering of the previous tracks. CLG always sounds gruff and brings that edge to everything he appears on. Chemo does the beat for this one hooking up some gentle pianos with DJ Snuff adding the finishing cuts.

The CD finishes on a high with Streets, Demons and Fears a big beated production by Rek. CLG delivers the refreshingly honest title track, woven together through the use of intricate wordplay which fully encapsulates the overall theme of the EP. Tackling issues such as poverty, self-hatred, and the fear of failing to overcome these inner and outer obstacles, each song serves a purpose relevant to the EP title.

There is also an additional hidden track for those that haven't heard enough. I was one of these people and this extra offering which features additional lyrics from Mr Manage, DX and King Kai who are merciless in the extreme with their relentless spitting. It would appear that we have a new contender and I would urge everyone to check out CLG. On his own his delivery could become a bit overbearing, but with his choice of guest spots and track ordering he has dropped a great EP which deserves your attention.
 

UNLOCKING THE NEGATIVE TO OPEN UP THE POSITIVE…
CLG
Mobile: +44 (0) 7903 986 729
PO BOX 45342, LONDON, SE14 6WS

http://www.clgonline.co.uk :: [email protected]

 
Intro Early Doors:
1979-1985
False Dawn:
1985-1990
Underground Years:
1990-1995
The Renaissance:
1995- 2000
The Future:
2000 & Beyond
Artists &
Discographies

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