Monday, November 05, 2007
Battlejam - Audio
In the beginning there was hip hop. And there were two turntables and a microphone. And with these most rudimentary of tools the pioneers created an entirely new form of music and with it, a lifestyle that to this day, endures as one of our most pervasive manifestations of popular culture.
That the basic decks/mixer/mic combo still forms the backbone of most hip hop shows should set a few alarm bells ringing. Where, you might ask, is the next generation of MCs and turntablists taking the template and twisting it into new and exciting forms? Well, it’s happening right here in Brighton at Battlejam.
A handful of MCs and DJs man the stage as you would expect but their interaction and on the spot improvisation is far from traditional. Cutting edge digital decknology allows UK DMC Champ JFB to sample up the MCs and instantly loop and scratch their vocals alongside his existing breaks, effectively creating fresh beats and tunes on the spot. Likewise, resident beatboxer Beardyman juggles a series of FX units at his feet, looping and layering crunching beats, belching B-lines giving the whole show the semblance of some hyped gig/club/block party combo.
The tempo is by no means limited to hip hop either. Skippy ragga, jump up and breakbeat all get a look in, even a blast of jacking electro house – albeit one concocted, on the spot by Beardy comin’ atcha like some rave Rory Bremner.
There’s so much to enjoy here – stonking atmosphere, bang-up-for-it crowd, and in its relentless innovation the distinct notion that there’s something very special and potentially enormous taking shape right here on our doorsteps.
posted by: Jim Brackpool @ 10:29 PM
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