HIP-HOP

Latest CD releases reviewed

 DJ FORMAT
A Right Earful Mix Tape Vol 1 Antidote
***

After turning it on and cutting loose with last year's fine Music for the Mature B-Boy début, Brighton B-boy Matt Ford and his old-school licks make this mix-tape a bit of a hip-hop golden hour. Ford knows which crates contain the good stuff, and he's thankfully not the kind of snobby hip-hop muppet who prefers to keep treasures hidden behind the counter. It's one feel-good block party diamond after another, Ford picking choice cuts from old-school kings Souls of Mischief, Main Source, Black Sheep and The Pharcyde; new bucks Ugly Duckling and Edan; and even twisted soul from the Brand New Heavies back when they were funky longhorns. There's nothing groundbreaking or mesmerising about Ford's selections or mixing, but the sum of the parts will put a smile on most gobs. - Jim Carroll