Album Notes

It's been seven years since Hand'Solo Records originally released Bassments of Badmen Volume 2, the second instalment in their series of compilations featuring a who's who of up and coming hip hop artists. With exclusive songs by Supreme Being Unit's Mindbender and Conspiracy, a pre-OK Cobra Fritz the Cat, Plague Language founder Noah 23, Anticon's Restiform Bodies, nerdcore superstar Jesse Dangerously, punchline rapper Wordburglar, and many of the other members of the Backburner crew, the music was rightfully dark and brooding hip hop with an occasional jab at humour. Hand'Solo Records continues to stand behind the music that was presented on BoBM2, but the artwork never fully suited the vibe of the compilation despite the abstract nature of Selfhelp's artwork. The time has come to correct that inadequacy with this limited edition CD re-release, with appropriate photos supplied by Andy Quinlan of Quinlan Photographic and layout and design by Selfhelp, who was excited with the opportunity to provide the cover deserving of this compilation. For Canadian hip hop fans, this re-release offers a rare opportunity to hear some early tracks from many of the best in the alternative hip hop underground.

What the critics have said:

“The CD is full of clever lyrics, ... the spoken word is sharp and the flow is wicked.”
The Spill Magazine

“These cuts all share a like-minded avante-gard vibe, filled with DJ Shadow-style cinematic soundscapes and esoteric musings.”
Exclaim Magazine

“Provides the listener with the same kinda feeling you'd get from bumping any Living Legends Bau Area cassette.”
The 411 Up North

“A mix of Hiero coolness and Kool Keith's bugged-out sci-fi endevours.”
Urbnet.com

TRACKLISTING:

1. Enter the Bassment (the Halifax Takeover) – Fatt Matt & the Verbals
2. Bury the Bodies – Fritz the Cat, Mindbender, Vangel
3. Citizens Are Gifted – Epic, Ill Seer, A.M.E. 109
4. Teen Idols – Thesis
5. Flash Forward – Toolshed
6. Oblivion – Conspiracy
7. The Prosecution Rests – the IF?
8. We’re Out the Napkin – The Tooning Spork
9. Innermission – Exempt Specimenz
10. Uh-Oh – Restiform Bodies
11. Ciggaret Butt Sandwitch (Call Home) – Creature Box
12. Break Down – Spiritual Juice
13. Theory vs Practice – Ill Seer & Vangel
14. Twisted Ankle – awristoscratch
15. Wordburglar – SJ the Wordburglar
16. Sugar Cubes – Choke, Thesis, Uncle Fester (aka Young Fes), Jesse Dangerously
17. Fearless – Mindbender
18. Amnesia – Noah 23
19. Flow War – Megalynk 3
20. Serves Himself-Service – Selfhelp
21. BONUS: Son of a Beehive (Exit the Bassment) - Doogie Howitzer