A good hip-hop based release from one of the stalwarts of the Bristol scene, delivering exactly what anyone who knows about him would expect, and if you haven’t heard of Ewan Hoozami, get to know.
Ewan Hoozami is a great stage name, we can all agree on that. The man behind the moniker is Adam Hignell, and is one of the most prolific figures on the Bristol (UK) music scene, well, in the relevant circles at any rate. He’s probably completely unknown amongst the classical music appreciating sectors of the city for example, but for anyone who goes to gigs, clubs or events which have anything at all to do with beats, bass or records, Ewan Hoozami is a very familiar name. As part of the Bristol DJ institution that is Funk From The Trunk he gets about quite a bit, but he also single handedly puts himself seemingly everywhere as a DJ and performer of MPC finger twitching, record spinning, microphone swinging, loop triggering hyperactivity that makes it impossible to not come across at some point sooner or later. Always good to watch doing his thing, Mr. Hignell is a great performer and industrious creator of material.
This EP can maybe regarded as a warm up for his forthcoming full length album Robot Soul, which is due to drop sometime this year. Ewan Hoozami is a beats and bass man, and this EP is a straight up big breakbeat big bass hip-hop romp starting with the track “Fire In Me,” which features the vocal debut of Adam himself. It’s a classic UK spit fest with a distinct old-school vibe flowing through the sample cut ups and even a slight pop tendency with the sing-song chorus and the lyrical content. The rumbling bass through the verses however pulls everything together and back from the edge with aplomb. Besides anything else, I’m a sucker for a song that references a cup of tea, just the ticket.
Track two, ‘Through With Love’ features local MC Blacksmith on vocal duties, another prolific figure in the Bristol scene with plenty of experience. I have no idea what this song is about, it’s so abstract, not even a clue in the title—sorry, that was snide and completely uncalled for. I suppose all of us can relate to this sentiment in one way or another, which is why there are so many songs dealing with this particular subject matter. No need for me to expand. The vocal delivery and big beat production are bang on, in a sort of radio friendly, party bouncing kind of way. I’ve seen Blacksmith performing often, and he is really a great word man and performer, and he maintains his normal standard on this track.
The last two tracks are collaborations with Colleen Quinn, a lady who is moonlighting from her normal role as vocalist for the bass heavy live electro outfit Substatic. “Android Pillow Talk” is boldly pop oriented in its intent with Colleen’s sultry crooning weaving up and down over the solid beats with the repeated phrase “you cannot melt my metal heart” seeing the track out. Although I have to say, being told repeatedly that I can’t melt her metal heart set me to thinking of several ways that I could at least try to do so. It might in fact be possible, depending on the type of metal in question of course. If her heart were made of lead for example, a temperature of only 327.5 degrees centigrade would be needed; feasible I would say and being quite malleable would be a good candidate for the job. Wrought iron on the other hand would take a lot more effort, needing up to 1,593 degrees to melt, but being much more inflexible probably wouldn’t be able to perform the required pumping action, unless a very intricate arrangement of small moving panels was employed in the construction, but then there would be the question of maintenance to consider. Anyway, it’s clear she feels safe that the melting of this metal heart is unlikely to happen.
The EP ends with “The Quiet,” again with Colleen Quinn, but also with more vocals from Ewan Hoozami on the verses. Again, another tune with slight pop leanings, but with some deep growling bass gurgles whirling about.
A good hip-hop based release from one of the stalwarts of the Bristol scene, delivering exactly what anyone who knows about him would expect, and if you haven’t heard of Ewan Hoozami, get to know.
Fire In Me is available here.
