Heady polyrhythms and conscious vocals combine with a positive message on “City Streets,” the latest from DJ Spen’s Quantize Recordings. Brutha Basil and Mark Francis have a song with a purpose here, the likes of which is still shockingly sparse on the charts except for the records that preach love and peace in the broadest possible sense. There’s no scolding here – just a sense of urgency and a dose of reality about the people left to fend for themselves in places long ago written out of the story of America. Four additional mixes here as well: DJ Spen’s smooth “Impressions in Asphalt Mix” (at nearly 10 minutes, the longest) gets lively with saturated keys and tones in obvious reverence to Gil Scott-Heron. Mark Francis’ Drum Dub makes for a cool beat track and DJ tool.
Brutha Basil and Mark Francis: City Streets 25 (Quantize Recordings)
1. Brutha Basil and Mark Francis: City Streets 25 (6:06)
2. Brutha Basil and Mark Francis: City Streets 25 (DJ Spen’s Impressions In Asphalt Mix) (9:36)
3. Brutha Basil and Mark Francis: City Streets 25 (Mark Francis Drum Dub) (6:06)
4. Brutha Basil and Mark Francis: City Streets 25 (DJ Spen Impressions In Asphalt Dub) (8:01)
5. Brutha Basil and Mark Francis: City Streets 25 (Original Instrumental) (6:06)
