DSP are a very capable but ultimately unlucky production team. They are sure to be, rather ironically, the victims of their record label’s huge success. Let me explain.
If the very solid In The Red was released any time other than now I have no doubts that it would receive a glut of rave reviews urging hip-hop heads the length and breadth of the country to go out and buy it. However, at a time when Ninja Tune are churning out the classics of tomorrow on an almost weekly basis, I fear that In The Red is going to be unfairly overlooked.
DSP are London duo Jonny Cuba and Loop Professor and In The Red is their second LP for Ninja Tune, following up their critically acclaimed Dynamism LP. In The Red’s 14 tracks contain a wealth of British and American rapping talent, and it’s difficult not to be impressed by the excellent production displayed throughout.
New York legend Chill Rob G delivers two tracks, as do Mass Influence and Dell Donahue - two up-and-coming members of NY’s ever-reliable underground hip-hop scene.
But the UK emcees easily hold their own, with Phi-Life Cypher’s My Verse 1st being arguably the best track on the album. Juice Aleem is also given a track to display his considerable lyrical talents, and UK old-timers Def Tex provide the sleepy but funky Way Past Noon.
I couldn’t honestly suggest that In The Red should be bought ahead of Ninja Tune’s other excellent releases this month, but if money is no object then why not pick up DSP’s latest offering? I wouldn’t consider that a gamble.
www.ninjatune.net
Reviewed
by Fraser Syme
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