D Double E / Newham Generals

Here is a cool website that issues Grime sets compiled directly from pirate radio broadcasts - grimetapes.com.
Their latest "compilation" is a bootleg greatest hits of London MC, D Double E (right) spanning six years of broadcasts and it is darned hot. This is an illicit appetiser to his first album next year with the Newham Generals/"Generally Speaking" which I'll be looking out for. Anyone seeking an alternative insight into the setting of drugs and violence that permeates youth gang culture in the UK would be served well by checking it too, judging by the promo videos on youtube they are not intending to hold back.

This music, though, never seems to make as much sense to me once sanitised and manufactured on official releases, so the experts at grimetapes hq are doing this listener a great service in collecting the best bits amongst the "shouts out" and delivering it to us gratis via the medium of rapidshare. And their back catalogue looks pretty extensive too.

www.myspace.com/d double e
www.youtube.com/newham generals - frontline

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

I have just stumbled across this chap and first impressions are favourable. His debut self-titled solo album was released in the autumn on NY based Say Hey records - and was produced by Chris Taylor of fellow Brooklyn alt-folk-noiseniks, Grizzly Bear. His credentials as an uber qualified american singer-songwriter seem to be all well and accounted for: unorthodox upbringing on the road with his gigging comedian father, trail of unsuccessful bands, drug abuse followed by sleeping rough in Coney Island - check check check and check!

Now aged twenty five, he certainly punches his weight lyrically with narratives dripping with the dirt, grime, depravity and death of the city; "I ain't done a damn thing right, But oh, I'll try, before I die - How 'bout tonight" on "Buriedfed", the single and opening track of the album sets the tone. Somehow you get the impression that there is a lot riding, personally, on the success of MBAR's music career - which makes for compelling listening.

sayheyrecords.com
stereogum.com
myspace.com
www.youtube.com/buriedfed - video