(Hollywood/FMR)

Considered by many as one of hip hops best DJ’s, Shifting Gears is Z-Trip’s first album as a producer. Releasing an album with an already long-established fan base is fraught with danger, however by the end of track two Z-Trip dispels all fears so you can sit back and enjoy the ride!

Z-Trip is so big this release comes without a press release! All jokes aside however, the name is instantly recognisable for all hip hop fans with even a passing interest in the underground scene. 20 years into his DJing career he could be resting on his laurels, happy to be considered by many as the creator of the obscure mashup. But Trip has eased into the production side of things almost without raising a sweat. Comprising some of the underground’s best MCs, obscure rock samples and traditional hip hop party joints, Shifting Gears is the high quality you’d expect from someone of Z-Trip’s stature – and then some.

Twenty years on the party circuit makes you some connections, and calling on these for a helping hand is the natural thing to do. There’s the straight up party vibe of Listen To The DJ featuring J5’s Soup, and All About The Music with a Flava Flav sounding Whipper Whip on MC duties - it’s clear that Trip kknew the exact MC he was after for each beat. Slide on to the frenetic delivery of Busdriver over a Jethro Tull sample on Take Two Copies, to freestyle legend Supernatural sounding as good as he ever has on For My People, or a pissed Chuck D (when is he not) venting on Shock & Awe – you can’t help but nod your head and smile in approval. Speaking of smiling, perhaps the best combination comes with Breakfast Club which is already getting spins on Australian radio. The funky beat features Murs recalling his favourite childhood cereal and cartoon combinations, corny perhaps but the concept is flawlessly executed and as a child of the 80s I loved it!

The beat based tracks are perhaps the best test of a producer’s skill, as without an MC most fans can be quick to lose interest. Although sparse on Shifting Gears, they are all of a high quality. About Face and Furious are both tight, but perhaps the best example is 3rd Gear, which features TK from the Mars Volta on keys. This is a class above the generic instrumental and holds its own with ease, wedged between tracks featuring Murs, Supernatural and Aceyalone.

Twenty years in the making but well worth the wait, Shifting Gears – along with Prince Paul’s recent Itstrumental – is breathing new life into an, at timesm stale scene. Underground hip hop heads, this is a must for your collection!