One path, different streets: this summarizes the new collaborative project between Modulok, the Toronto-based emcee most notorious for his work as one half of Red Ants, and Bare Beats, the London-based beatsmith and respected veteran of the British hip-hop scene whose trademark sound has become synonymous with the record label he fronts, Bare Records. Modulok's grime poet lyricism and brass knuckle flows have found a perfect home with Bare Beat's smoked out, jazz-tinged, head-snapping tracks, creating a sound that is dark, abrasive, and reminiscent of the classic east coast hip-hop of the early-mid 90s. Two Cities is tough, raw and unrefined - yet behind the murky atmosphere of broken glass and microphone battling is a thought-provoking exegesis on the plight of the individual trapped in the modern day city.
Track Listing :
1, Intro ft, Wireless
2, Happiness ft, Jabba Tha Kut
3, City ft, Apollo Creed & Jabba Tha Kut
4, Trouble ft, Perry Scaramanga, Kal Sereousz & Smokey
5, Grimy
6, Taste ft, Baracuda
7, Stories ft, Jabba Tha Kut
8, People ft, Jabba Tha Kut
9, Assassin
10, Origin
"Suffice it to say this is one of the most interesting and innovative albums I have heard in 2008 so far."
Style43"it’s nice to see an MC take advantage of the opportunity to reveal another side of his character, especially one that’s so personal and private in a world where fictional thuggery is becoming more and more the norm."
Exclaim Mag
"The producer lets the jazz slip, placing its oily, double bass-plucking fingers on your shoulders in terse, but ever so slightly off-kilter" DJ Mag
"Imagine if Rza dug Jazz more than soul, and imagine an album that doesn't concentrate on gats n girls - head nodding beats, tight production and concious flows, perfect for summer, smoking and driving ."
247"Fans of good, traditional hip hop should absolutely check out this album, no matter what side of the pond they live on."
Hero Hill"Another underground classic from one of Canada’s finest MC’s, devoid of filler and worthy of many repeated listens."
Abort Mag"this album demonstrates an immense creativity, heart and dedication to hip hop, self expression and life."
Vocals Words"
Perfect isn’t even close. This is illuminating, brilliant, life affirming stuff"
Subba Cultcha
"Two Cities' Hangs together perfectly as a document of the current hip hip underground" K Mag
"..it is great to get a glimpse of the man behind the emcee, a feat which is made possible thanks in large part to the gloomy production of Bare Beats, who also deserves credit for his creativity and great sample choices."
Thomas Quinlan"Modulok and Bare Beats are concise and straight to the point in a way, let’s face it, most MCs can’t even silently wave a mic at."
British Hip Hop"With a good mix of dusty jazz, 50’s film suspense music and punchy drums Bare Beats creates a concrete foundation for Canadian MC Modulok."
Certified Bangers
Bare Records is dropping Modulok 'Cities and Years' as a joint venture with the new Takaba Records (Canada) and Poetic Dissent (Japan) . The entire album is produced by the amazing Leon Murphy, with his signature sound & Modulok opens up on this album and its his best work to date.
