It is time to go underground. Get ready to slide down and enjoy some outstanding hip-hop and electronic sounds courtesy Palmerston North and who present Junction 3, the third free release ‘by the community for the community.’ This compilation is pure and raw and so uninhibited. An eclectic and brilliant mix of gifted and worldly artists, Junktion 3 is one of the best compilations to emerge, and frankly it came at no better time that just before New Zeland Music Month. What better way to get pumped up for May than this excellent blend of beautifully crafted and well executed electronic hip-hop.
It opens with Phat Buddhas who perfectly lead in with ‘Walk With Me’ a sensual and dub-electronic melange which eases onto the ears. ‘Scissors’ by Revival Orchestra begins with a very Hollywood film vibe in the intro and conclusion and in between is a melodic jazz-electronica funk. Dirty Hairy and Need Not Worry kick up some attitude in ‘Sentimentally Mad’ which is followed by Guy Friday and JK with ‘She Makes Me Go.’ This is Hip Hop at a very fine moment being both lyrically brilliant and assisted with an effortless back-beat.
A powerful ‘Payback’ by Commarde 2Face sets a dark and poignant tone through a murky hip-hop rhythm. ‘Day After Day’ by Rots One is where it becomes mandatory to turn the volume up as this track is utterly compelling with the hypnotic flute tune running amid the forceful bass. The hip-hop transforms into a reggae instrumental in ‘Reggae #8’ by The PaePae Soundsystem.
Faint and Skinny return to the electronic elements in ‘Soul of the Opposite (the DubXL Remix)’ which has a spine-chilling vibe splattered all through the lumbering beat. ‘6 Million Ways To Die’ by Dar Kist keeps this theme running with a song which takes dominion over your attention with its interchanging paces and bare bones electronic resonance. Midnight Kid takes this album right out of space to this intergalactic ambience of ‘Victoria.’
DubXL takes centre stage with ‘Junktion Dub’ which reverberates right through your mind. ‘Into the Chamber’ is as mysterious as it seems with an evocative and an almost sinful air to it. To uplift the mood is DNator with ‘Orphans of the Storm’ which contains upbeat electronic sanguinity. The simply entitled ‘Jim’ by Nuttela Monk is a exquisite song with entrenching lyrics which you cannot help but pursue deeper. This compilation closes with Mechanical Noise Theory and ‘Crawl Space’ which from the onset you know has a razor’s edge that grazes upon you as you listen.
Junktion is foremost a fantastic concept that truly delivers the creative depths of these artists to be disclosed in these compilations. This third version is so very powerful as it reaches great heights with what this compilation aims to achieve. Every track has its own unique facets that unite incredibly well to form this cohesive yet confounding compilation. Junktion 3 will linger within your mind, like echoes in a cave.
-Janise.