Capitol 1212 – The Return of Rudy Nacho
Nobody who sets out to make a Western-inspired reggae, jungle, bass music and hip-hop concept album can be accused of a lack of ambition, and happily, Edinburgh-based outfit Capitol 1212 steer the concept home with considerable style and finesse. Immaculately produced, it features a series of impressive international artists on guest verse duties, including reggae stars Gappy Ranks, Danger Man, grime scene spitter Million Dan, Rhyme Syndicate veteran Donald D, and Freestylers / Congo Natty favourite Tenor Fly.
Standout performances from rappers Serocee (on Makin' Disturbances), and Profisee, excellent as always on album closer Haven't You Heard, are so packed with feel-good reggae hooks and crisp boom bap beats that they're irresistable, positioning the Capitol 1212 mob as ones to watch when the Scottish festival season rolls around. They don't labour the theme, and they don't need to, blending in big-room breakbeat, jungle and dubstep, all blended seamlessly.