Four years after the 'Black Whole Styles' LP UK label Big Dada drops another compilation to shake up an independent hiphop scene in danger of stagnation. While many within hip-hop have turned their nose up at the growing popularity of garage the army of musical collaborators on Extra Yard have embraced its energy and combined it into their electronic soundclash. Extra Yard is born of a wide range of sonic influences, all of which are held together by quality hip-hop production values in both the vocal and beats departments.

Seventeen tracks deep, from beginning to end, this album (mixed together on the cd version by DJ Excalibah of BBC 1Xtra) is certainly dancefloor orientated. 'Killer Apps' by Gamma and Shadowless is indicative of the vibe of energy and enthusiasm that runs consistent throughout the album. 'Witness the Swords' too provides a similar electroshock hip-hop therapy, the instrumental for Rodney Smith's 'Witness' been rewired as the backdrop for a posse cut featuring Mr Manuva, Fallacy, Rodney P, Blackitute, Big P & Scheme.

More laid back but still bodymovable moments balance out the mix too such as 'Born Again' by Roots Manuva and Wildflower, a get up in the morning and start off on a fresh new day kind of vibe. Ty's 'Don't Care' delivers a message of warning to the chancers out for fame and the bling bling. 'Niceness' by Infinite Livez, Gamma and Jack Tarr features a quirky hook based on the chorus for 'club tropicana' "Thank God Shadowless is here, from nowafter, niceness for everyone". A mellow conclusion is brought to the album through the Tomo Remix of Roots Manuva's 'Bashment Boogie'.

As with most compilations 'Extra Yard' provides a good variety and depending on the listener some tracks will hit more immediatly than others, but still it is a substantial body of work that demands to be heard in its entirety. If you are willing to open your ears and experience a freshness born of experientation, a vital ingredient that is all too often missing from hip-hop nowadays, then be sure to check out this 'Bouncement' showcase.


Link: [ Extra Yard page at Bigdada,com & audio samples ]