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Various: West Steez - The Album

833 Records, a new indie label fresh out of west Auckland, presents a compilation featuring the finest of the west's urban acts and also West Coast US rappers. Nine of the 16 tracks boast NZ heritage and one can hear the diversity in the 833 local roster. Kritical Methods drop pure underground hip hop, with perfect sampling by DJ Kinetic in their self-titled song, plus group member Optymz Rhymes flex's solo on From Hell to Heaven and N.D.V.J's Hold Dem Roots. Similar is the title track by Sativa Souls (Abbot, Ph8l) which takes the listener on a life long journey through Massey Royal Heights backed by fading violin samples. With a steady following, Usual Suspects (Quest and Bishop) continue to please, Quest supplying an alternate style on Freedom Of Choice compared to his past solo efforts. All Kiwi tracks were recorded at either 833 studios, Redbull studios or the Playground Sound studio, most being mixed by Rahxx. MC Arme, a ragamuffin lyricist, spits out some aggression in an eerie sounding bass intoxicated beat, Fuck Them All. Up and comers, 4th Element, provide a punchline and piano laced piece Subterranian Raw Rap, which features Truce. Other local acts such as 11 year old Carson and double time rhymer NZYME of the ESP MC's also make appearances. The American material mainly revolves around the 'West Side Gangsta' sub-genre. All in all, this album ties, compares and unifies hip hop on an international level.

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