Most underground and UK heads know that when the name ‘Ruthless’ is mentioned then it’s going to be good release. Well I’m sorry to disappoint but this is a horrible EP……..Don’t be silly b, of course it’s not. But this time Ruthless doesn’t just throw out another solid hit, this is a bar raiser for everybody, so for those little ankle biters out there take note.
For me, one of the most recognisable characteristics about Ruthless is his laid-back vocals. Instead of being shouted at by some no name talent about bullshit that you don’t care about or isn’t real, Ruthless’ simple but passionate vocal flow schools you in a way that you really can’t argue with. The EP’s opener, ‘Nothing Can Stop The Red Skull’, ‘East and West’ and ‘Denial’ are perfect examples of this, and three of the record’s strongest. The content itself is never rose tinted or exaggerated; in fact the almost matter of fact way Ruthless spits some of his heavier stuff is almost lost in the flow and you’re left wondering if he really just said that. Not to say that this is some kind of bumout album, because it’s really not. It’s simply an example of why and where hip-hop was created in the first place, and as the mainstream creates more pop-dance ‘rappers’ it pays to remember why we’ll always stay underground.
Production-wise, this is some of my favourite album production I’ve heard in a long while. I’d only ever heard talk of Redskull and never actually listened to what he had to show so I was pretty hyped to finally actually hear it. The beats are varied and go in and out of the almost old-skool style of raw snares, to completely surprising synths and cuts. It’s well mixed and precise. I’d love to hear him doing a remix of this record with some serious cuts and scratches.
All in all kids, if you know Ruthless then you already know he’s good so you won’t need much convincing in copping this. For those of you just discovering him I suggest you hop on his band wagon before it leaves town.
Download link:
http://black-budget.com/free-uk-music-ruthless-redskull-the-archaeology-takeover-ep
Recommended If You Like: Yosh, Haan & Sixth Sense, Akala, B-Dee.
Stand-Out Tracks: East & West, Denial, Back ‘Em Down (A-Cat’s verse is fucking ridiculous), Sci Fi.
‘The Archaeology Takeover EP’ Track-listing:
01 – Nothing Can Stop The Red Skull
02 – Self Confession Feat. Anxious
03 – East Meets West
04 – Denial
05 – Sci Fi
06 – Back Em Down Feat. A-Cat
07 – Pandoras Box
08 – Abomination (BONUS TRACK)
Connect with Ruthless:
ruthless-music@hotmail.co.uk
http://www.twitter.com/ruthlessdb
http://www.facebook.com/ruthless.artist
http://www.youtube.com/thelocalstar
http://www.soundcloud.com/ruthlessdownloads
Connect with Redskull Beats:
http://www.twitter.com/redskullbeats
http://www.youtube.com/redskullbeats
http://www.redskullbeats.tumblr.com
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