(Day by Day/Shogun)

A debut EP from a trio of teenage hip hop producers generally raises a little interest, and when that debut is on the label of underground legend MF Grimm you know you’re in a good place.

Parallel Thought are three friends from New Jersey. Knowledge on production, Drum handles all the live instrumentation, and DJ Appendix Head who provides all of the well placed cuts. The fact that the oldest member is 19 and the quality of sound they have produced here really places them in a position to take underground hip hop forward for the next 15 years at least. In fact my biggest problem with Drugs, Liquor, Sex and Cigarettes is that at 5 tracks (plus 5 instrumentals) there really isn’t enough chances for them to showcase their skills.

Getting things started is Freaky, a beautifully layered beat with Jean Grae and Pack FM trading verses all over it. Next up the beat is shifted down tempo as MF Grimm delivers his ode to Martin Luther King, the minimal beat is used well as Grimm is in a reflective mood apologising for his past discretions, for me it’s a little too laid back but the emotion in Grimm’s lyrics still grabbed me. Next up another underground star Illogic controls another restrained soundscape, the lyrics allowed to be the star, again a little chilled for me but that is personal taste.  Don’t Ever Think is the best example of their production, a brilliantly structured and layered beat featuring Slug and Breez Evahfowin. This really shows why they are being talked up as the future of hip hop. To round things out C-Ray Walz brings his unique flow to a perfectly suited best on Chorus II, the vocal given an unmastered feel adding some uniqueness to the track.

As I said my only problem with the EP is its shortness, however when you show this much talent over 5 tracks it is clear that the long player will be worth waiting for, Parallel Thought are a name to look for in 2005 and beyond.