It seems an age since we had the taster track Strange Fruit from M9 to whet our appetites for his imminent album release 144,000, which drops on the 10th November 2008. Among others M9 includes names such as Nas, Tribe, Dead Prez and The Roots as influences. Without being overly political M9 focuses on giving the listener a reality check through intricate story telling and compelling imagery in his rhymes.

144,000 starts of with a rather out of sorts intro with is not in the least representative of what follows. The mood set down by the following trio of tracks is unmistakable. Dark Matter is a blend of emotive imagery. 3 distinct styles of vocal delivery forging together to create what is one of the albums grimmest pieces of work.

the mother’s heart breaks and turns cold like stone columns,
now she’s sat solemn dressed in black beside an oak coffin

The collaboration between M9, Cyrus Malachi and Masikah on Dark Matter and Paintbrush lead nicely to Strange Fruit, giving M9 the opportunity to reassert himself by delivering solo on one of the albums strongest tracks.

My pen paints a place where misery loves to visit, mothers can sit and suffer in a blizzard

Strange Fruit paints a picture of a place closer to home than most would like to admit; that of domestic violence, heartbreak, parenthood, strife, death. Despite being the second longest track it feels like one of the shortest as M9 takes the listener on a journey through life and his environment.

It isn’t until a third of the way through the album the style of production changes with the 6th track Childhood War. Dominated by a dramatic piano loop the beat is not as clean cut but that is no mistake, the track features M9 reminiscing some of his childhood memories. Table of Elements and Saffron gives us an insight into why M9 has featured on stage with various Wu Tang affiliates in the past… haunting violin loops, background vocal samples with cryptic rhymes featuring heavily. Saffron is pre-Supreme Clientelle Ghostface-esque with the focus firmly on vocals over a less complex (by excellently produced) beat.

Arguably it is the second half of 144,000 that really demonstrates M9’s ability. We’re treated to a glut of marvelously haunting beats, with potent lyrics and diverse guest appearances (that’s not to forget Jehst’s appearance on Ultramagnetic). Maeth is a perfect example of this formula, featuring Young Rootz (his only appearance) and Nasheron.

M9 has delivered an intellegent, cryptic, thoughtful and intriguing piece of work which will no doubt be a huge hit in UK circles and even further afield.

More info

• http://www.myspace.com/m9ine
• http://www.last.fm/music/M9
• http://www.myspace.com/jonphonics
• http://www.myspace.com/cyrusmalachi
• http://www.myspace.com/tripledark
• http://www.myspace.com/masikah

A fourth album from Birmingham’s Mike Skinner and it seems the further he goes from the bedroom dynamics which formed his début record, the worse he sounds. Its almost as if Mike needs to have tales from “the street” to build records around, his last effort seemed to be a dig at the celebrity lifestyles and when this record starts with lyrics like “i started with nothing, and leave with nothing but love, everything else is just borrowed” you feel like its not going to have the grit of “Original Pirate Material” or even “A Grand Dont Come For Free” which was built around tales of a failing relationship.

Now that the songs aren’t all about getting drunk, having secret relationships with celebrities or meeting his dealer it leaves a more serious subject matter such as the environment and extinction to his soul. There is still hints of the wit and humour that made his previous efforts so accessible but it feels like he’s become burned out and on the first few listens no songs stand out beyond any others. Atheism is a strong influence on this record and Alleged Legends tries to boil the bible down but its a subject probably best handled by someone who hasn’t spent the last 5 years telling us about his drug comedowns.

Skinner himself admitted their was just one more album left after this, and judging by this record he would be right, this is clearly getting to the bottom of the barrell so dust off his earlier work and enjoy that instead.

Sam Bourne (Jonathan Freedland) has already been touted as the biggest challenger to Dan Brown’s title as the best thriller fiction writer. That’s a pretty big statement to make considering Brown’s unrivalled success in recent years. The Final Reckoning is possibly the best of Bournes latest books, surpassing previous works such as The Righteous Men and The Last Testament. Jonathan Freedland is a well established journalist so his writing skills will without doubt be honed.

Completing the book in less than 3 days, The Last Testament is an extremely fast paced affair with well developed characters and excellent narrative. With historical references that will rightly shock the book provides a story line that compels the reader to vigorously pursue the perpetrators of, not only the crime in question but, the crimes committed and described in flashbacks written in the first person by the subject at the center of the main story line.

The book also sheds light on lesser known events which occured in Lithunia during the Second World War; the mass killing of Jews and the Jewish resistance. In doing so Freedland introduces a subset of characters, still central to the story, who are determined to exact revenge on the Nazi perpetrators of horrific crimes described within the book.

Despite the heaviness of the subject matter the book is an enjoyable read and one which will see the reader power through in a matter of days.

LesMTS has reviewed the recent Doug Stanhope gig at the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh.

A bleary eyed Stanhope, sporting a fledgling mullet, field cap and battered pilot’s jacket, edges his way through the throng at the bar of this tiny, crowded basement venue, politely acknowledging pats on the back and hands thrust out for shaking, and takes the stage to whooping and clapping which treads close to sycophancy. He’s virtually unknown on these shores, yet he boasts a tiny and fiercely loyal fanbase (“My fans are like excessive-pubic-hair fetishists,” he later quips “there’s not many of ya, but you’re a loyal bunch”).

Full review.

MyFirstKev has posted a review in the forums of this years Leeds Festival.

The main stage was 45 minutes late in starting due to Slipknot pulling out so we sauntered over to listen to some ‘bangin’ beats’. The two guys mixing the tunes weren’t too bad and managed to get us in the right frame of mind for the rest of the day. This frame of mind was dampened however by Mindless Self Indulgence(*) who might be the worst band I have EVER seen.

Full review of the Leeds weekend.

A hair-raising taster in the form of Strange Fruit to the forthcoming album 144,000 due out on the 27th of October. Strange Fruit pays particular attention to the scourge of black on black violence. It’s a 4.42 minute hard hitting social documentary and it’s one of the best to tackle the subject. But don’t think for a minute that it’s filled with preaching and clichés. The story telling is powerful and M9’s vocals are overwhelming.

Strange Fruit is partnered on this release by Paint Brush. The track is produced by the familiar Chemo with Cyrus Malachi and Masikah featuring. Cyrus Malachi, Masikah and Melanin9 (M9) are the three distinct components of Triple Darkness, distinctive in their approach, delivery and vocal styles. Incidentally the Chemo production on this is yet again top notch, suited more to halloween than the summer season.

We’re also gifted with instrumental version of each track along with a Chemo remix of Strange Fruit.

This E.P is a sure sign that the UK Hip Hop output is strong and heading in the right direction… less irrelevant braggadocio and more social documentary. If that sounds good to you then you won’t be disappointed.

M9 on MySpace