CASQUIAT Schallplatten & CDs

Review: CASQUIAT's ability to balance heavy, floor-filling beats with thoughtful, experimental layers is on full show in this new 7" from DATUM. The two cuts push the boundaries of hip-hop and bring in a raw electronic edge. 'The Stopper' is a high-energy cut that collides skittering percussion and intricate rhythms to make for an intense yet hypnotic club vibe. In contrast, OG Ranks takes a deeper, more introspective route with moody undertones, spacious production, and a sharp focus on atmospheric tension. They make for a fine yin and yang and cannot fail to make their mark in the club.

Review: Casquiat - a mysterious production moniker, and clear play on words of the name of a famous New York neo-expressionist artist, punned with either a casket or casque (we're not sure which) - lays down an equally mysterious but also supremely effective edit of the infamous Boyz II Men tune, 'If I Ever Fall In Love Again', re-baptizing it 'Lady Friend' and lending two alternate takes on the rerub (whether 'Bad Self' or 'Lady Storm' are artists or mix names, we also can't tell). Whereas the original track's bittersweet barbershop tones exist purely as an acapella - unusually, in their case, it was an original acapella, not recorded for a produced pop song - Casquiat lays down two, boxy contemporary breaks / hip-hop mashups here, one operative at 90bpm and the other more at 70bpm, and both bringing unusual dubby flavours to an otherwise pure R&B hit.

Review: We've got a lovely bit of golden-era hip-hop here from the DATUM Recordings label. It comes on 45rpm and features one jam each from King Most and Casquiat. The former goes first with 'A Tribe Called Westwood' with signature Tribe bars and a deep cut groove with raw bass. On the flip is 'Colossal Rhymes' which is a great big slice of boom-bap complete with smooth flow, organic percussion and some eerie melodies hanging in the air above the beats.