(Jugglin’/Groove Attack)

Side A1: Let Eet Ought (vocal) (5.24)
Side A2: Let Eet Ought (instrumental) (5.05)
Side B1: MC Ambush (1.22)
Side B2: I’ve Been Watching You (vocal) (5.34)
Side B3: Not 2 Be (2.37)

Hiphop meets downtempo soul duo Hearin’ Aid (aka US-based producer / MC Damon Frost and Zambian-born Aaron Phiri) made a stir on the European downbeat scene earlier this year with their excellent remix of fellow Jugglin’ artist Linn’s ‘Available’, and this latest 12” represents a preview of their upcoming debut artist album, expected autumn 2005.

On the A-side of this 12”, ‘Let Eet Ought’ matches Frost’s MC flow with loping programmed hiphop beats and snares, cosmic-sounding synths and a fat synthesised funk bassline, multilayed backing gospel-soul tinged vocal harmonies placing proceedings somewhere between the more RNB oriented end of mainstream US hiphop and J Dilla or perhaps even the RZA’s herky-jerky yet still funk-filled backings. While the glossy snares and multi-tracked soul vocals add a sense of well-produced mainstream hiphop, the sheeniness is nicely undercut by the raucous shouted verses passed rapidly back and forth between Frost and Phiri, as well as the turntable scratches that jostle for space between the rumbling bass and sampled yelps that spin through the mix – there’s also an instrumental version included here, which is otherwise identical apart from completely dropping the vocals.

On the flip, ‘MC Ambush’ provides an amusing skit-style ‘interlude’ as well as a pointed jab at the current US administration over wobbling sub-bass and shuffling beats, Frost’s sarcastic rhymes likening George W. Bush to the baddest MC; while also suggesting that; “I can see Colin Powell DJing, you know ‘zhigga-zhigga’ / And Condoleeza Rice doing the gigolo on the side an’ sh*t.” ‘I’ve Been Watching You’ ventures further towards loverman-style RNB with Frost “keepin’ it hot like…(um) chili” in a moment that sails slightly too close for comfort to cliched commercial RNB, but is thankfully dragged away by some more hiphop-oriented verses, crazed ODB-style yelling and an interesting loping slap bass and lazy beats backing, before ‘Not 2 B’ brings on this album’s most outwardly RNB moment, with a slow jazz-funk backing of horn samples and downtempo hiphop beats that marries smoothly with Phiri’s soaring soul vocals and gently strummed funk guitar to create a slow-burning shag track that’s straight out of Prince’s purple songbook.

An excellent debut 12” from Hearin’ Aid that marks the Zambian / US duo out as an interesting name to watch, as well as providing an appetiser for their upcoming debut album. Fans of the likes of J Dilla’s soul-infused hiphop excursions as well as the street gospel meets gritty hiphop of Bones Thugz’ N Harmony (remember them?) and their numerous contemporary stepchildren could do far worse than give this a spin. Recommended.

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