North East Connections

O.k., o.k, they got me. Reading the B-side title tracks wondering why the 'Intro' is on this side, I flip it over for the A-side. And found out that the B-side is named the BB-side. What makes the B-side the A-side, capice? North East Connection represents a big area of the Dutch HipHop scene which sadly doesn't get enough attention of the national Dutch HipHop media. Or even worse, in general hear or see no nothing at all. Overlooking the power full scene. The crews working together in the 'North East Connections' family look, oversaw it and did it the straight up HipHop way. Just do it your self. Blatta: "You can't dictated us". The album starts off with your host to the most (the man is big) Phat Poodle. With the words introducing the North West Connections. With the beat reflecting the sound you can expect listening to these sounds from overlooked corners of the fatlands.

When one sheep is over the dam, well damn, they come all. The first track is the posse cut. The bands introduce them self over a very innovative track. Which also displays each crew own sounds. Something you don't hear very often. Production is done very good.

"We have been/where we want to be at", L-West Productions

The first up is L-West Productions from Sneek. Inviting you with their track: 'Come As Close As You Can Get'. A crew busy for a long time, since 1987. After their first demo they changed their name from Beatfreaks into L-West Productions. Released independently two tapes. In 1991: 'Last White Poets'. 1992: '2 Dangerous 2 Play'. And three albums on Nico's Records 1993: 'The Result Of A Neighborhood Crew'. And in 1995: 'Rap Live '95'. 1996: 'That Makes MC's Pray For Help From Jesus'. The crew four MC's form a platform for original flow structures. MC's: Bae, MC Rox, Most, Romeo. On the cut DJ Syah using specialist sources for a good track.

Al thought they are not in particular headlining, Black Orpheus brings 'Head Line' to your ears. Black Orpheus is infamous for tight beats made with raw jazz samples. The beats are deep and dropping in full force in contradiction of the flow. The lyrics are good and also the flow. But like Guru stated: "It's mostly the voice." The beat is just to massive for the voices to fit with. Check their debut album on www.djax.nl. Let the beat play and take you away.

On the BB side...

'Sources Of Specialment' waiting for the real troops to come out. And they 'Come Out With What I Know'. And what they know, they bring it out phat! Pure phat underground from the deepest storeroom from the underground dungeons. The voice of Psychic Summit is in harmony with the beat, which is produced by DJ Syah and himself. "I only can come out with what I know/creating things that lead to more". The best song on the album.


Blatta & N attract your attention with 'Rename The Nameless'. For something that hasn't got a name, you can't re-name them. Only give them a name. So what is the catch? Blatta only raps and N also produce their very abstract music. As surrealistic dreamers they use every days live as subject for their lyrics. Being progressive in a creative way. "Our music isn't the best/but it's better then success". Yes, yes, yes some music to think about.

"You better stop rapping and find some other shit to do", Rhythmatic

In 1996 Rhythmatic won the 'First Annual Rap Battle'. Released his debut tape 'It's Getting' Crazy'. On guest appearances he proved to be able to deliver a mad flow. On this record his song 'My Perception' stands out as a general sound of the North East Connection sound. As MC he also takes care of his beats. DJ Adventure is backing him up on his perceptions with some scratches.

http://members.xoom.com/northeastcon

AQ