Dels

Gob   Big Dada* * * *

Hip-hop's more compelling transmissions are increasingly coming from the margins, which is where you'll find Kieran "Dels" Dickens. As with Ghostpoet, the beauty of the Ipswich-born rapper's work lies both in the bespoke stitching that keeps his rhymes in place and what he has to say. The dark, moody, shapeshifting production features scaffolding from Kwes (his handiwork is all over the opening Hydronenburg), Hot Chip's Joe Goddard and Micachu (providing abrasive timber on Violina/Bread Before Bed). The big names will feature in the despatches, though hopefully not at the expense of Dickens' own vocal sharpshooting. Here's a MC who is imaginative, brave, thought-provoking ( Droogs)and not content to run with the pack. Over a symphony of thrilling beeps and bass bumpers, Dickens outlines the state of the urban nation as he sees it, and it's one you shouldn't miss.

See myspace.com/imdels

Download tracks: Moonshining,  Hydronenburg, Trumpalump