Richie Howard and George Brennan have been releasing instrumental hip hop on lauded Irish labels, like U:mack Records, for ten years. These include their debut album Blood Samples and a split EP with Ireland’s electro pioneeers Decal.
It’s taken the Dublin-based duo some time to release their follow up, Black Music, but we forgive them. The thought of Irish instrumental hip hop may not make your knees quiver, but don’t let preconceptions keep you away from this superlative release. They were thinking of working with some Irish MCs, but, when it came to the crunch, the sound, atmosphere and rhetoric of the album worked without. So their instrumental tendencies remained, and it was a wise choice.
For Black Music Howard and Brennan have taken samples, and influence, from zombie movies and horror films. The result is an album full of black humour that conjurs feelings of beautiful darkness, without ever being heavy. Samples and scratching are used wisely and not over-done, and the production is raw enough to suit, but purposfully and skillfully so. Themes of demons, snuff TV and John Carpenter are used incredibly intelligently; without being cerebral or pedantic, they retain a sense of fun and humour.
Most importantly it’s an enjoyable album. There’s melody, not just beats; there’s substance, not just concepts; there’s catchy hooks that aren’t in the least bit disposable. Tracks like ‘Bloodgutter’ will satisfy old school hip hop cravings, ‘Snuff Rock’ is as good as most Ninja Tune output, ‘18 West Road’ is experimental but accessible, ‘Carpenter Youth’ is foreboding and epic. Brilliant.