Big Village - Big Things Volume One (05/07/2011)
This compilation record from the Big Village record label is bold and brash in its concept and execution. As an independent record label, they are endeavouring to bring together some of the finest Australian Hip Hop and Urban artists together under the one roof. This CD is the aural sampler of that enterprise. With an artist roster including Daily Meds, Reverse Polarities, Tuka (Thundamentals), True Vibenation and Loose Change to name a few, it’s evident that this is an eclectic mix all falling under that broad genre of Hip Hop.
After a nice gentle Intro track though we’re immediately swept up into the fast-paced energetic delivery of Tuka from Thundamentals featuring Tenth Dan on track Bonus Stage which even includes a surprising well placed brass section for added emphasis.
We’re given a more laid back almost dub-step feel on Secrets by Loose Change whilst the electro strains and samples on True Vibenation’s We Are bring a different shade to this compilation altogether, and honestly could get any indie hipster head nodding along.
Daily Meds’ SBS and ABC is a powerful social commentary on the public television viewing habits of being suckered in to watching commercial programs that have little value with loquacious lyrics “ready for your 9 O’clock news report but don’t expect any new thoughts just loose talk” delivered with genuine sincerity and concern.
The closing track on this compilation titled Be My Guest is an all-in effort by the Big Village artists and is a bombastic affair that plods along at a solid repetitive pace but unfortunately doesn’t seem to take off, which is a shame as having all that talent squeezed into the one song could’ve been an epic move had it been pulled off successfully.
The Big Things Volume One compilation is diverse in sounds, feel and unique in its execution in that it enables those not so comfortable with the Hip Hop genre to perhaps dip their toe into the field and get a taste for what Australia has to offer. Australian Hip Hop and Urban music has begun to evolve and take shape and if this sampler of what Big Village are contributing, then the future is looking bright for both record label and the Australian scene as a whole.
Carina Nilma
After a nice gentle Intro track though we’re immediately swept up into the fast-paced energetic delivery of Tuka from Thundamentals featuring Tenth Dan on track Bonus Stage which even includes a surprising well placed brass section for added emphasis.
We’re given a more laid back almost dub-step feel on Secrets by Loose Change whilst the electro strains and samples on True Vibenation’s We Are bring a different shade to this compilation altogether, and honestly could get any indie hipster head nodding along.
Daily Meds’ SBS and ABC is a powerful social commentary on the public television viewing habits of being suckered in to watching commercial programs that have little value with loquacious lyrics “ready for your 9 O’clock news report but don’t expect any new thoughts just loose talk” delivered with genuine sincerity and concern.
The closing track on this compilation titled Be My Guest is an all-in effort by the Big Village artists and is a bombastic affair that plods along at a solid repetitive pace but unfortunately doesn’t seem to take off, which is a shame as having all that talent squeezed into the one song could’ve been an epic move had it been pulled off successfully.
The Big Things Volume One compilation is diverse in sounds, feel and unique in its execution in that it enables those not so comfortable with the Hip Hop genre to perhaps dip their toe into the field and get a taste for what Australia has to offer. Australian Hip Hop and Urban music has begun to evolve and take shape and if this sampler of what Big Village are contributing, then the future is looking bright for both record label and the Australian scene as a whole.
Carina Nilma