Aspects (band)
Encyclopedia
Aspects are a Hip Hop group hailing from Bristol
, England
; the outfit's core members being emcees El Eye, *Mantis and Bubber Loui.
After a number of EPs, Aspects released their debut album Correct English to critical acclaim in 2001. The album featured the singles "Best Music" (also containing "Intrigue" remixed by DJ Vadim
) and "My Genre." On its release "My Genre" became Single of the Week in the NME
. The group gained international exposure with the song and the accompanying video was rotated on BBC Radio 1 in the UK and MTV Europe respectively. At this time the group appeared on and recorded exclusive radio sessions for Dan Greenpeace and Zane Lowe
, Steve Lamacq
, Tim Westwood
and the late John Peel
among others. The title track and third official single, "Correct English" never appeared on the album but was released as a double A side (along with "We Get Fowl"). It is a collaborative track with Task Force
. In 2007 Hip Hop Connection
magazine (issue 214) ranked Aspects' Correct English #28 in the 50 Best British Albums Ever.
After their original stable Hombre Records folded, Aspects were signed to Antidote Records
a subsidiary of Sanctuary Records
. They released their sophomore LP Mystery Theatre? in 2004 along with singles for "Impact" and "Off The Lip" which entered highly on the UK Indie Chart
(#16) and at #80 in the UK Top 200
. "Off the Lip" is a "Surfin’ USA" for the UK Hip Hop generation" according to a review published in The Independent
, "making them one of only a handful of UK acts to produce genuinely original Hip Hop."
The group have performed extensively and were attached to UK tours from Princess Superstar
, Arrested Development, De La Soul
and The Bees
in recent years.
They have collaborated with numerous artists over the last decade including DJ Yoda
, DJ Format
, DJ Vadim
, Junior Disprol, Hundred Strong, Mr. Jason of Porn Theatre Ushers
, Si Begg
, Quantic, The Bees
and Little Barrie
.
Other founder/affiliate members:
2004: Mystery Theatre? (2004, Antidote/Sanctuary)
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
; the outfit's core members being emcees El Eye, *Mantis and Bubber Loui.
Career
The band formed in 1996 and were once part of a larger collective of artists known as FSH (Fantastic Super Heroes). Aspects, formerly Earthbound Aspects, were born of the Hip Hop movement in their native city and the culture's well documented renaissance at that time.After a number of EPs, Aspects released their debut album Correct English to critical acclaim in 2001. The album featured the singles "Best Music" (also containing "Intrigue" remixed by DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim is a prolific DJ and producer, born in Leningrad, USSR , raised in London and currently residing in both New York and Berlin, whose music combines hip hop, soul, reggae and electronica...
) and "My Genre." On its release "My Genre" became Single of the Week in the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
. The group gained international exposure with the song and the accompanying video was rotated on BBC Radio 1 in the UK and MTV Europe respectively. At this time the group appeared on and recorded exclusive radio sessions for Dan Greenpeace and Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
, Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
, Tim Westwood
Tim Westwood
Timothy Westwood is an English DJ and presenter of radio and television. He also presents the UK version of the MTV show Pimp My Ride...
and the late John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
among others. The title track and third official single, "Correct English" never appeared on the album but was released as a double A side (along with "We Get Fowl"). It is a collaborative track with Task Force
Task Force (band)
Task Force are a British hip hop group from Highbury in London, England. The group is led primarily by two brothers Chester P and Farma G...
. In 2007 Hip Hop Connection
Hip Hop Connection
Hip Hop Connection is the longest running monthly periodical devoted entirely to hip hop culture. HHC has earned international recognition and was described by Chuck D as "the best magazine in the world".-History:...
magazine (issue 214) ranked Aspects' Correct English #28 in the 50 Best British Albums Ever.
After their original stable Hombre Records folded, Aspects were signed to Antidote Records
Antidote Records
-Currently signed artists:*Abdominal*Aspects*DJ Format*DJ MK*DJ Paul Nice*DJ Shortkut*DJ Yoda*DJ Yoda & Dan Greenpeace*Juju & Bloody Moon*Madlib*The Nextmen*Osymyso*Prince Paul*Quasimoto*Steinski*Ugly Duckling...
a subsidiary of Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest independent music management company in the world...
. They released their sophomore LP Mystery Theatre? in 2004 along with singles for "Impact" and "Off The Lip" which entered highly on the UK Indie Chart
UK Indie Chart
The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
(#16) and at #80 in the UK Top 200
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. "Off the Lip" is a "Surfin’ USA" for the UK Hip Hop generation" according to a review published in The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, "making them one of only a handful of UK acts to produce genuinely original Hip Hop."
The group have performed extensively and were attached to UK tours from Princess Superstar
Princess Superstar
Princess Superstar is an American emcee and DJ.Her musical style, as she describes it, is flip-flop — a mixture of 'hip hop, electroclash and electronica'.-Background:...
, Arrested Development, De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
and The Bees
The Bees (UK band)
The Bees are an English band from Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. Although their sound is generally classified as indie rock or psychedelic rock, the band have a colourful range of styles and influences, such as 1960s garage rock, country, reggae and jazz.-History:The Bees have so far released four...
in recent years.
They have collaborated with numerous artists over the last decade including DJ Yoda
DJ Yoda
Duncan Beiny , better known as DJ Yoda, is a hip hop turntablist who uses samples to create a cartoony musical style.-Biography:From 1995 to 1998, he studied English and American literature at the University of Warwick...
, DJ Format
DJ Format
Matt Ford, better known as DJ Format , is a hip hop DJ born in Southampton, England who lives in Brighton...
, DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim is a prolific DJ and producer, born in Leningrad, USSR , raised in London and currently residing in both New York and Berlin, whose music combines hip hop, soul, reggae and electronica...
, Junior Disprol, Hundred Strong, Mr. Jason of Porn Theatre Ushers
Porn Theatre Ushers
Porn Theatre Ushers is an underground rap duo from Boston, decomposed of Nabo Rawk and Mister Jason. Their first full-length CD, "Taxachusetts", appeared in 2004 on Detonator Records. It featured guest appearances by fellow Boston rapper Edan, Esoteric, K-No Supreme, and others....
, Si Begg
Si Begg
Si Begg is electronic dance music DJ, musician and record producer Simon Begg, from Leicester, England.His music combines elements of Experimental, Downtempo, Breakbeat Ambient, Drum and bass, Turntablism and Jazz. Begg grew up in Leamington Spa and moved to London in 1991...
, Quantic, The Bees
The Bees (UK band)
The Bees are an English band from Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. Although their sound is generally classified as indie rock or psychedelic rock, the band have a colourful range of styles and influences, such as 1960s garage rock, country, reggae and jazz.-History:The Bees have so far released four...
and Little Barrie
Little Barrie
Little Barrie is a power trio that originated in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, since relocated to London. Their sound could be described as stripped down R&B/Soul/Funk/Blues/Garage rock jamband. The band consists of Barrie Cadogan , Lewis Wharton and Virgil Howe . Before Howe, Billy...
.
Personnel
Members:- El Eye (Ian Merchant), MC
- Bubber Loui a.k.a. BeelziBubber Loucifur (Alexander Parsons), MC
- *Mantis a.k.a. Probe Mantis a.k.a. Leather Apron (Ben Weaver), MC
- Specify (Ryan Jarrett), producer
- Monkey Moo (Rory Donnelly), beatbox
Other founder/affiliate members:
- 7 Stu 7 a.k.a. Stanley Matthews a.k.a. Big Stu (Stuart Matthews), engineer
- Nu Balance (Nick Burt), DJ
- Nick Fury (Scott McDougal), producer
- Salsa (Phil Rees), production, design and media
Studio albums
2001: Correct English (2001, Hombré)2004: Mystery Theatre? (2004, Antidote/Sanctuary)
Singles
- "Sounds Of Earth" (Hombré 2000)
- "Best Music" (Hombré, 2001)
- "My Genre" (Hombré, 2001)
- "Psychoboogie" (White Label, 2001)
- "We Get Fowl/Correct English" (Hombré, 2001)
- "Impact" (Antidote, 2004)
- "Off The Lip" feat. The BeesThe Bees (UK band)The Bees are an English band from Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. Although their sound is generally classified as indie rock or psychedelic rock, the band have a colourful range of styles and influences, such as 1960s garage rock, country, reggae and jazz.-History:The Bees have so far released four...
(Antidote, 2004) - "The Freedumb Song" (White Label, 2005)
External links
- Aspects Discogs discography
- Fabric Live 27Fabric Live 27FabricLive.27 is a DJ mix album by DJ Format, recorded as part of the FabricLive albums and released on the Fabric label in April 2006.-Track listing:# DJ Format - 33% B-Boy - [PIAS]# Ugly Duckling - U.D. in Brasil - Ugly Duckling...
- Late Night Tales: Matt HeldersLate Night Tales: Matt HeldersLate Night Tales: Matt Helders is a DJ mix album, mixed by Matt Helders , released as part of Late Night Tales / Another Late Night DJ series.-Track listing:...