Beans - Now Soon Someday (Warp Records)

A rare bit of originality here from Beans, combining some quite odd glitch style beats with straight-ahead machine gun rapping. The lyrical content is comprised of wilfully obtuse sentences that to be quite honest made absolutely no sense to me, despite being printed on the sleeve and the words being clearly spoken, though I’m not really a poetry man on the best of days so synopses welcome…

“Structure Tone” kicks things off bearing all the hallmarks described above, “Win or Lose You Lose” takes a more traditional approach, to an almost Hip-Hop night friendly extent (have heard the track out – couldn’t see the dance floor), solid minimal beats and subtle keys making it one of the highlights. “Mute Screamer” seems to be an ode to Normski’s brother Rob-ski judging by the lyrics (I am probably missing a blindingly obvious hip-hop reference here), but is under-pinned by nicely syncopated beats re-mixed by the evidently talented El-P. Other decent tracks include the just about understandable “Composition in Void”, “Crevice” and an upbeat mix of “Mute Screamer” by Prefuse 73.

A bit of an acquired taste overall, but if on the search for something a bit different you won’t be disappointed. Check out the video to “Mute Screamer”

Time Machine - Night Lights (Glow-In-the-Dark Records)

Washington DC's Time Machine take some laidback funk samples as the basis for their latest release "Night Lights" where Comel, Mekalek and Jaysonic expostulate on the merits of a good night out on the town; the lyrics are not exactly the deepest around, though the production and voices betray this fact sounding good - fitting in somewhere between Optimus Rhymes and Blacklicious. The same can be said of "Personal Ads (Remix)" on the flip, as Dr. Fox would say lacking the X factor, not quite there yet but could well be in the future.

Braintax - 'Hard working/Escuchame' (Lowlife Records)

Another bona fide release from London's Braintax. Produced by Ben Grymm, the current beau of the producing circuit, with cuts respectively by Harry Love and Shortee Blitz. Wicked lyrics as we've come to expect from Braintax, who makes a point of his Britishness. Characteristic Ben Grymm production-tuff beats with Braintax discussing his plac in the scene. Theme not too original but well delivered and written. Bside 'Escuchame' a little more reflective and sensitive to the ears. Again, theme-wise not too original - survival in the city - but a nice perspective on events. Not cliched (street thug making money, bling bling) but a look into London life. Plus bouncy thirty second extra 'First Joint' is an added bonus. Well worth a look.

Blu Rum - 'Sleep Speechless/On Course' (Jazz Fudge)

Variation on the battle 'I'm better than you..' lyric from this laidback Canadian MC. I'm hesistant to call him quirky (but he has worked with Kid Koala!). Distinctive flow, which I won't describe as it would sound boring, but it's not. Suffice to say he's got good lungs as he manages to keep it going without going off on one ragga style. Nonchalant battle raps! Nice shifting Vadim production and amiable scratch-could do with a little more variation than right at the end of the track. On Course sounds like an 'Air' production (as in the French synthesiser geezers) but it's actually Mr.Thing. Still in keeping with Blu Rum's laidback style, but a little (emphasis on little) more energetic and focused. Otherwise a worthwhile buy-support this release from Jazz Fudge who deserve your coppers.

Ty - 'Break the Lock' (Big Dada)

DJ Bizness rocks the production on this superchilled track. Ty of the Nextmen drops that calm, intelligent flow that he's famous for. Jazzy loops. Bside 'The Tale' also well produced-the whole thing rocks hard-whether you're mad up for your UK or not-amenable and accessible and overall topnotch business from this Brixton MC.

Edan and Company bring you the raw shit (Landspeed). 'Rapperfection', 'You Suck', and 'Syllable Practice'

Don't know how they did it exactly, but it sounds like they're using some mad old school recording device-echo chamber and crap mics or something. Having said that it sounds wicked. Mr.Lif on Rapperfection over what sounds like a digital hardcore bassline (Atari Teenage Riot anyone?) rocks and Father Time keeps it going on 'You Suck'. The best track for me was 'Syllable Practice', a cross between 70s funk and Bollywood soundtrack, with some better battle style lyrics. Tuff stuff.

Defenders of the Underworld - Single Two (I think distribution by Nu Groov Alliance)

Disappointing all in, I'm afraid. What potentially could have blown me away, whimpered in the corner. Aceyalone's 'super human hip-hop head' is quite good, with Evidence on the production. Chilled piano loops keep this moving, athough the repetitive backing track hacked me off after a while. Full Monty and Non phixion feature the vocal talents of Bill and Goretex Medinah (Uncle Howie produces).Again the bea needs some work but the lyrics keep the track chugging along. 'Molten' by the Swollen Members drops a classic bloodthirsty 70s rif, with the darker rugged atmosphere-not as good as they're capable of, but bette than your average nonetheless. And thenÖ Son Doobie (of Funkdoobiest) comes with a darker than his usual puff-happy tales with 'Buc fifty to ya face'-a little more thought involved but still not enough to rescue the project (wicked cover art though!)

Black Thought - Hardware

Black Thought from the World Famous Roots Crew delivers a gem from his forthcoming solo album ' Masterpiece Theater'. Wicked lyrics in that conscious vein that the Roots always pull off, topped off with a dark piano on the instrumental.

Taskforce - Wha Blow! (White Label)

Those cheeky Londoners really have been cheeky this time, with this piece of nondescript crap. Speed it up, slow it down, stamp on it-you just can't make it sound good. Knowing the quality they're capable of (see below review) makes me surprised that they even bothered to release this, especially as a limited editioner. Taskforce sound tired; no, make that lazy. Would debate feeding this to my dog.

Taskforce - Voice of the Great Outdoors (Lowlife), b/w Butterfly Concerto, Six Names, The Cosmic Gypsies, Battlecats and The last Tune

Stupid fresh! This is the type of taskforce I love-innovative but still that London 'intellectual type of grimy' style I dig: @I'm not sick I'm nauseating raps Chester P on the opening 'intro'. Eerie thoughtful loops with solid beats feature throughout, with the stand outs being Butterfly Concerto and Cosmic Gypsies; Butterfly Concerto in the narrative of the Butterfly and all the other insects coming to meet, pover wicked 'Olde English' lutes etc-literally amazing. 'Cosmic Gypsies' features the talents of Jehst and Braintax (who also handles the production for this track) and they both add to the quality of the e.p. as a whole. If they keep this standard up, who knows where they'll end up. BUY THIS WITHOUT FAIL. Good value for money too (six tracks).

Mr. Jay (Lost Souls) - Word is Bond.

With a play on a cliched title, Mr. Jay of the Lost Souls Crew drops an amiable underground track. Catchy use of James Bond music and 007-themed raps makes this one a laugh. Only the vocal and instrumental tracks feature (plays same both sides). Having said that, nice concept, with Mr Jay holding is own on this independent attempt-not even having formal distribution, having been passed around the country by the Brighton Lost Souls crew responsible for the Clever Looking nights. Just add the accapella at least next time. Support it.

Nextmen - Amongst the Madness b/w Thinking Man's Session (Scenario)

12" edit, instrumental and accapella for each. Hard to put my finger on this-jazzy funky loops, summer style and thoughtful raps from the Nextmen (Brad Baloo, Dom Search, Soulson and Grap Luva). Technically it's good - the beats are ok and the emcees obviously know what they're doing, but.. it lacks a little pazaz and oomph. Not sure what it is but it just doesn't grab me. Chilled, melodic hip-hop by numbers? Possibly.