JIM SHARP Vinilo y CD

Review: Jim Sharp presents his sophomore Mountain 45s release, following up the absolute banger of a debut, 'Westchester Eagle'. Coming full circle, we hear Sharp team back up with fellow producer Double A here; on the A we've got the latter's 'Iko (Never Felt This Way)', a fearless cross-section of big beat, Latin funk and sampled West African refrains, while Sharp helms up the B-side this time around, with a full-horseshoe'd rerub of an (ashamedly on our part) unknown funk delight.

Review: GAMM is one of those labels that is super consistent in everything they put out. It ranges in genre, era and mood, but always nails what it aims for. Originally from Canada and now based in the UK, rework specialist Jim Sharp is next to contribute to that fine canon and does so by showing his unique talent for elevating soul, funk and hip-hop with a masterful touch. This is his debut on the label and it sees him transform Anthony Hamilton's original into an irresistibly funky, soulful groove on the A-side. Meanwhile, the B-side delivers a deep, seamless blend of Donny Hathaway and Common and results in a stellar hip-hop and soul fusion.

Review: Jim Sharp's Put It On The Line from Revamp records delivers two distinct takes on this compelling track, blending hip-hop and r&b influences with flair. Side-1 presents 'Put It On The Line,' a track rich in 70s soul with an urban edge. Its smooth piano lines and elegant strings are complemented by a robust beat, creating a classy track. Side-2 features 'I Shot Ya,' which reimagines the A-side's beat with a gritty hip hop twist. Channeling East Coast 90s vibes reminiscent of Craig Mack, this version injects the track with a fresh, rhythmic energy that contrasts beautifully with the soulful original.

Review: Canadian-born, London-based DJ Jim Sharp strikes gold again, a mid-tempo jazz hip-hop 7" featuring the flow of Marlon Craft, crisp bars and a silky smooth tone that doesn't skip a beat. Big horns, scratching and boom-bap drums punctuate Craft's message in such an effortless way it leaves you wanting more (Don't pretend you wouldn't want an album with these two laying down the law). The flipped remix is really the star of the show, it would be more shocking if it weren't there frankly. Sharp does what he does best, chopping up and scratching like the best of them whilst a xylophone beat overlays the blown-up strings. It's that perfect blend of jazz, late 90s bling-era hip-hop and "conscious rap" (whatever you want to call it - it'll always be "abstract" to a Tribe fan). The perfect skating anthem.