
But I remember a time in early '94 when my friend DJ LEACY told me about a UK crew who were putting together an EP and called themselves THE GUTTERSNYPES. In fact he had just sold them his AKAI S950 sampler to add to their arsenal. But even with that heads up, I wasn't prepared for what I was about to hear.
I cannot pinpoint whether it was CHOICE FM or WESTWOOD where I first heard a snippet of "The Trails Of Life" EP on LIBERTY GROOVES RECORDS, but suffice to say it blew my mind when I realised that it was UK hip hop that I was listening to. CEL ONE's rhymes were clever, well constructed and hypnotic, and the bar had been raised immensely in terms of production levels compared to other UK records of that time. The whole package with its 5 killer tracks, choice skits and artistic picture cover became a must-buy record and an instant UK hip hop classic.
"Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the most beautiful and I'm sure for you entertaining as well as pleasant musical utopia. It takes place here on the north, south, east, west side of ... wherever you are ... wherever you are..... wherever you are."
From the banging intro and bouncy beat of "Flatline", to the crisp bassline, funky horns and organ riffs of "Who Fell?", this EP had no sign of any weak sauce whatsoever. And despite the odd critiscism I heard of CEL ONE's accent from the uneducated few, I couldn't find a fault on this release. It was taking UK rap to whole nother level - LIBERTY GROOVES, fronted by Jonny F had seen the potential and made sure the EP came heavy in beats and high on quality. They succeeded. Scratches and cuts were peformed by DJ PRIME CUTS, beats all by SIGHER, and even JEOPARDY aka BIG TED put in a guest vocal on "Nom De Plume". In 94/95 there wasn't a mixtape or radio show or hip hop club that didn't bounce that record on the regular.
LIBERTY GROOVES pressed up various colours of the EP, the white vinyl being the hardest to track down, but it is also available

SIGHER has recently blogged about the history of THE GUTTERSNYPES (click HERE) ; how and when they formed, the details behind the release, and also shares some bonus material from The Snypes. As a taster check out the unreleased track entitled "Ego Trip" below, and be prepared cuz this type of dope shit doesn't come around every day! If you love the TRIALS OF LIFE EP then this is gonna be essential listening. If you never heard of GUTTERSNYPES but like UK rap, then this is gonna be a revelation for you. Thanks to SIGHER.
THE GUTTERSNYPES - "Ego Trip" (Unreleased)
CEL ONE live on CHOICE FM '94
Enjoy.
Kid Dyno
7 comments:
Thanks for sharing the unreleased shit. Dope as hell.
Yo I knew Cel from 85 when he hung round Maidstone Brenchley Gardens bandstand with First Rate...the battle spot back in the day. Props for the post.
Yeah VERGE, EGO TRIP is dope. Tell SIGHER he needs to put this out on wax. It even took me back "down memory lane" to the good old days when Guttersnypes dropped jewels on the unsuspecting public.
GAV - great story man. Those early days stories always have me reminiscing. I know the county of KENT definitely had it's hip hop spots (SLAMMER at GRAVESEND).
SNYPES were definitely on that next level. I know for a fact US heads had mad love for that EP, which doesn't happen often with UK releases. Just ask BOBBITO.
Kid
...at the other end of the spectrum, you had The Criminal Minds who dropped the self released Guilty As Charged ep in 1990 followed by Tales From The Wasteland 12" a year later. All produced on a four track in a bedroom near Milton Keynes. Not as polished, or well known, as Gutter Snypes but definately worth a listen... They recorded a few ravey type tracks in the mid nineties then reappeared with The Widowmaker LP in 2001 and Break Shit Up EP in 2003, but nothing tops the first two releases for grimey beats and shouty lyrics about car theft...
DOPE, I really hope the Snypes can get Ego Trip out on wax in 2010, its as good as you said Dyno!
pz
RD
^^ I'll second that. Always wanted this since I heard Primecuts drop it in a John Peel set he did years ago. Test pressings / acetate? Damn...
Yeah man never heard this freestyle dope! He's a Kool guy too!
Just for you bro: http://thekoolskool.blogspot.com/2010/02/rock-steady-crew-16th-anniversary-1993.html
(I'm sure you heard it though! : )
Peace
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