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Review: Jack Foley
BRIGHTON-based B-boy, DJ Format (aka Matt Ford), finally unleashes
his debut long-player, Music for the Mature B-Boy, after months
of tantalising 12-inches and EPs, and the result is most definitely
worth the wait.
Cheeky, dirty and downright funky, this effortlessly hip fusion
of hip-hop, beats and breaks ought to be high on the shopping
list of any fans of funk or soul. It boasts 11 tracks, all of
which scream style - perfect for the approaching summer season.
Ford, himself, believes that there is something for everyone
on the album ('... from old De La Soul stuff through to DJ Shadow's
instrumental downtempo stuff...') and he's not wrong, as it
mixes Format's b-boy antics and instrumentals with guest vocals
from the likes of Jurassic 5's Charli 2na and Akil (on current
single, We Know Something You Don't Know), as well as
Abdominal and Fatski.
Think David Holmes in Ocean's
Eleven mode, or early De La Soul, for examples of what to
expect, and you'll have a blast.
In instrumental mode, the album also delivers in grand style,
with the dirty bass riff of Here Comes the Fuzz a particular
highlight, along with the stupendously excitable Last Bongo
in Brighton (remix), which should prove a popular dancefloor
filler whenever it is played.
Hardcore DJ Format fans will, no doubt, delight in the remix
given to his classic English Lesson, while lovers of
the California Soul movement can't fail to become turned on
by the classy Little Bit of Soul, with its teasing strings
and classic soul samples. For me, this rates as the best track
on the album (so good, it hurts).
In an age when hip-hop music always seems to want something
to say, or someone to preach to, this takes a refreshingly old-school
approach, coming across as good, clean fun. It is the type of
party album that you simply won't want to stop.
As one of the guest vocals states, late on, 'I put words
together incredibly cleverly, how could you ever get ahead of
me?' Well, Format has done the same with this collection
of singles, so make sure you don't miss out on one of the year's
best parties.
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Track listings:
1. Intro
2. Ill Culinary Behaviour Feat Abdominal
3. We Know Something You Don’t Know Feat Chali 2na &
Akil
4. Last Bongo In Brighton (Remix)
5. The Hit Song Feat Abdominal
6. Here Comes The Fuzz
7. B-Boy Code Pt2 Feat Fatski
8. Vicious Battle Raps Feat Abdominal
9. Charity Shop Soundclash Feat Aspects
10. Little Bit Of Soul
11. English Lesson (Remix)
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