I put my jacket on and reach out to the handle of my front door just as I see a package lying on the doormat. While trying to recall buying some useless shit online as I rip through the opening, it hits me. The fiery red and orange illustrations, courtesy of Mr Sorn, could only mean that I’d finally got my hands on a copy of the new Dirty Dike album, Return Of The Twat!
Fuck going out! Straight back up the stairs I went, unwrapped the plastic and turned up the speakers, ready to hit that play button on a beginning to end session with this much anticipated record.
As I drifted through the album, I could taste the sharp highs and mellowing flavours of the ranging intoxicants that dust and spill over every track. From start to end, you can tell this album was made using the respected quality and organised creative chaos that is familiar to any High Focus Records release.
With ten banging complete tracks and a selection of extra quirks, this release is another testament to the UK Hip Hop landmark that is Dirty Dike. I was pleased to hear the open and honest thoughts Dike often allows his audience to relate to and Pete Cannon and Naive’s production output is the backing this release deserves. I did think that the no holds barred bars I witnessed on the Constant Dikestar album were missing this time round but that all changed as soon as I hit the title track at number eight and my head bopped once again! One thing I’m very happy to hear shine throughout this album is Dike’s hardheartedness. The same hardheartedness that amuses me whenever I’m at a live High Focus show and smile as Dike ushers off every limelight thirsty young lady that attempts to push through the crowd, drunkenly climb up and share the stage with acts that actually work very hard to get up there!
Before I even pressed play on this record and was still reading the track list, the biggest thing to catch my eye had to be the last track that had clearly been savoured for the relishing end. I’m not gonna lie, there were a few times where I had to hold back the very enticing tempts to have a sneaky jump to the calculated banger that would be track twelve; Future Posse Cut One Thousand featuring an all-star selection that includes Stig Of The Dump, Dr Syntax, BVA, Datkid, Verb T, Jam Baxter, Ed Scissortongue, Mr Key, Fliptrix and Leaf Dog! Featured bar after featured bar, this cypher of a track is a straight UK Hip Hop anthem and you have to appreciate this outstanding collaborative achievement that sweetly tops a must cop record.
Album Honours:
Favourite Bars: New Street
Favourite Beat: You Can Sing Til You’re Blind
Favourite Featured Bars: Tie between BVA and Jam Baxter’s on Future Posse Cut One Thousand
Favourite Album Art Detail: The little paint drips on the barcode
Support good UK Hip Hop and help top up Dike’s strawberry daiquiri and moped fund by pre-ordering Return Of The Twat here.
Catch me chatting more shit at @tarekrevolution and reprezent.org.uk/revolution.
While you wait for release date, get hyped to badman, DJ Sammy B-Side’s mini mix teaser of the album below.
Return of The Twat is out on High Focus Records on 13/05/2013 you can pre-order it here. Limited edition double vinyl is also available.