REVIEW: LV

LV newest offering for Hyperdub can only be considered a perfect melding of South African and British Culture. With the use of South African guest artists Spoek Mathambo Okmalumkoolkat and Ruffest, LV manages to not only to create something unique with the quick fire interchange between the MCs native South African Zulu language and English, but they also manage to make their audience aware of the rich and fertile hip hop scene taking place across the ocean.

The first track “Sebenza” meaning “Work” in Zulu really pulls you in. Starting off slow the introduction of the infectious drums and jarring stabbing synth lines is enough to light up any dancefloor. Okmalumkoolkat who is featured on the tracks is laid back slowly building the dynamic as the beat crescendos.

“Ultando” featuring Ruffest is a synth piece reminiscent of that Dam Funk style with full synth chords. Ruffest on the vocals is not as memorable as koolkat yet he still manages to add an extra dimension to the music with a laid back flow allowing the production to grab the listener’s full attention.

The other stand out track would have to be “Safe and Sound” featuring Okmalumkoolkat, whose rapid fire delivery compliments the stabby synths which is prominent in the 13 track LP.

The only slightly disappointing tracks on the EP were those of South African hip hop export Spoek Mathambo, whose polished delivery doesn’t seems slightly out of place with the more jagged and passionate deliveries of his fellow South African MCs.

On a whole, the album is cohesive and takes the listener on a fun danceable journey that might lag for a moment, but that still always has your heels clicking.

By Samuel Johnson