What's Really Rad?

Featuring Tes, Vigilante, Daddy Foxxy, Boxcar, Optimus, Meczilla and DJ Raedawn himself (here AKAing as Crunc Tesla), the 'What's Real Rad?' EP is a throwback to a different age. Melting together the best aspects of Atlanta hip-hop, electro production and Baltimore Club-style bass, the A opens with 'Welcome To The Circus'. Over some shoulder twitching beats that suggest an Oukast/Squarepusher hookup (with Jenkinson on Night Nurse, mind), Raedawn casts a melodious vocal style reminiscent of Lyrics Born or an Automator marshaled Del. Next to the mic is Tes, with the best verbiage since the seminal(ish) 'New New York', half rapping and half singing the mantra; "say what you wanna, be who you wanna..." to oddly malignant effect. Over on the back, 'Who's' The Leader of The Club' recalls an 8-bit Le Tigre letting Fanny Pack have a pop whilst they play 'Oh Mummy' on the arcade, whilst 'Voo Doo Sound' wraps a Run DMC layer of Warped digitalis around an Aesop thundering vocal. 'Ave it!