Klashnekoff:
Focus Mode

Release Date: 10 October 2005

Reviewed By: Lloyd Vaughan

1. Intro

2. Focus Mode

3. Ya Wrong (Special)

4. McWaffle Presents…

5. Mr. K-Lash

6. Jamrock Takeover

7. Get Down

8. Zero 2005

9. No Games

10. Black Rose (Revisited)

11. Son of Niya (Dub Special)

12. Channel K

13. Jankrowville 2005

14. Smack Down

15. Revolution

16. Raw Tings

17. No Escape (Refix)

18. Back In The Game

19. Let It Go (Remix)

20. You (International Lover Remix)

21. F*ck The Long Talk

22. Jah Bless (High Grade Session)

23. Son of Niya (Dub Special) featuring Sizzla

24. Nightbreed/Outro

Babyblue - Out Of The Blue
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Ever since the Terra Firma front man introduced the UK scene to his talents on ‘The Sagas Of Klashnekoff’, people have been waiting for his next bout of lyrical fierceness to hit the shelves. The album showcased killer street singles such as ‘It’s Murda’, ‘Black Rose’ and ‘Jankrowville’, which placed the Black Russian firmly in his throne as a game-strong leader of the UK scene.

But what has Klashnekoff been up to in the mean time? The answer, it seems, is a mix CD compilation, which does exactly what it says on the case. The album will be familiar to die hard K-Lash fans, but offers them a new take on some of his street classics, giving life to old lyrics and giving new lyrics a new feel with jacked beats.

His life-inspired verses replace the tiresome Stateside clichés of guns, girls and money and breathes a fresh, pollution-free breeze through the UK scene. As the intro to ‘Focus Mode’ whirls into play, you know he means business, stating ‘This year, we self cater’, representing the independent play for this release; he doesn’t need a label to infringe upon his creative output. ‘Focus Mode’ represents a note posted to all fans informing them he’s still around, whilst telling everyone that he’s focused and ready to construct credible UK hip hop foundations.

The remixed ‘Zero’, aptly named ‘Zero 2005’, has been given a string makeover, which fills the intro with additional Asian-inspired synth guitar sounds to great effect. ‘Black Rose’ is laid over Bobby Valentino’s ‘Tell Me’, which although sounds like a Celine Dion beat, the melodious Asian influenced sounds gives Klash the chance to relay the heartfelt ‘Black Rose’ lyrics: ‘Babes it’s deep/ Can’t be described by speech/ So I speak through my actions/ Treat you like diamonds’. In some areas, substandard lyrics do rear their ugly head, for example: ‘Dear father love you like cooked food’, jacking a Jay-Z lyric, which still seems like a somewhat unusual analogy.

More anomalous lyrics feature on the track ‘Son Of Niya (Dub Special)’ featuring Sizzla. ‘My thoughts grow like herbs, in wild fields of mango/ I’m flexed like flamingo, I’m buffalo/ I’m out the manor smoking a poisonous vegetable.’ The track is saved by the quality Sizzla chorus, which effortlessly creates moving dub sounds.

‘Jamrock Takeover’ gives a fresh take on Damian Marley’s original. With lyrics like ‘Still got your bitch licking her lips’, Klash doesn’t hold back and rides the waves of the reggae dub to perfection showing diversity in his sound. The lyrics from ‘Mr K-Lash’, and ‘Raw Tings’ are thrown over Raekwon’s ‘Criminology’ and ‘Glaciers Of Ice’, mixing Stateside production with Hackney dialect effortlessly.

The CD offers the hardcore Klashnekoff followers a revival of his best works, whilst a new fan will stay committed through the obvious hard work that has gone into pairing lyrics and tracks. Ignore the occasional blip on the shoddy lyric-ometer and appreciate the UK inspired flows, track selection and the mixing and scratching of DJ Skully.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Top 3 tracks:
Let It Go (Remix)
Jamrock Takeover
Son Of Niya (Dub Special) featuring Sizzla

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