If you’re a break beat enthusiast like I am, you have to get your paws on a copy of one of the hottest beat tapes on the market right now, Conn-Shawnery’s “CS01”. This collection of ill breaks, phat drum loops and voice samples is nothing shy of amazing. Montreal producer/sounds engineer Shawnery mixes Latin/Afro Beat inspired rhythms with standard B-Boy break beats and elements of House and Jazz.
The Good: CS01 is a diverse composition and has something for everyone to dance to. “Conntinental Love” will take your ears on a trans-continental voyage in sound while combining multiple samples from across the world. This mid-tempo track will have hips swaying and hands clapping as club patrons fill the dance floor in droves and two-step in unison. “Takes 2/2Tango” takes Hip-Hop back to its essence. It’s a gritty, stripped-down ode to B-Boys and the resurgence of Breakdancing. A thudding break beat is accompanied by an infectious bass groove layered with provoking string riffs and voice loops that will incite a revolution of epic proportions.
The Bad: While Shawnery is on point like the tip of a harpoon, most of the tracks could have done without the special appearances. “Shoulder Roll” is a Two Step/House anthem with great instrumentation, but the vocals of guest stars N’Fa and BluRum13 sounds misplaced and unnecessary. “Episode One” is another tune featuring the aforementioned duo. While BluRum13’s flow shines and does the track justice, N’Fa’s intensity fails to match his partner’s. Shawnery and N’Fa finally connect in a ear pleasingly way on “Shum Shum”, a laid back groove which has N’Fa spitting some fierce rhymes along side of Two Tokenz and Micro Coz. It’s a dope track with Shawnery’s signature blockbuster production.
CS01 is just a small preview of the production skills that Conn-Shawnery has in his arsenal. His ability to merge a variety of styles is his strongpoint, and it shows in his music. This collection of hits has only a few missteps; and even those missteps don’t warrant the push of the fast forward button. Do yourself a huge favor and cop this album right now (http://conn-shawnery.bandcamp.com/album/cs01). You won’t be disappointed.
