Red Eye HiFi’s Chips ‘n’ Gravy: A Love Story has been OUT since the 1st of March and is available to stream or download on a pay what you want basis here! Featuring a host of Manchester (and the UK’s) finest MC’s, singers and upcoming talent; the 10 track tape is the pinnacle of a flourishing dub, dancehall and bass scene in the North West.
Firing off with Fox’s iconic vocals on Light Pon Dem, the rhythm of Red Eye HiFi’s ode to northern living and raving gets under your skin immediately. The heavy bass assaulting your soul and taking over your limbs, super tight vocals from a diverse cast of characters holds the mixtape together perfectly.
Whilst tracks like Sound Killer (ft. Dark Angel), Hot Steppin (ft. Parly B & Kathika) and Sit Down Shut Up (ft. Sangy) will have everyman ‘get down, get wavy’ in true Manchester raving style; Chips ‘n’ Gravy gives the listener more than super solid tunes to turn up to. An underlying social commentary shines through on Gully Side for example, where Fox and Serocee celebrate the ghettos of Britain and condemn a corrupt Tory government. Deepo (Manchester’s No.1 politically conscious rapper) continues this vibe through the menacing and minimalist Bodhran. Yet Manchurian humour is of course also present and most evident in the weird, short musical interlude Stank (better listened to than explained) and a sexy, smooth bonus track Super Soaker.
Additionally, the lyrical talent of Manchester (increasingly seizing the nation’s attention via Levelz, The Mouse Outfit and many others) is brilliantly showcased upon Red Eye HiFi’s 10 track extravaganza with the famous Skittles spitting on Temperamental and Chuckz taking the reins for the brassy anthem Spread Love.
On the whole, for a mixtape that barely scrapes past the 30 minute mark, there is incredibly almost too much going on in Chips ‘n’ Gravy: A Love Story to fully write about. An awe inspiring reflection of a thriving and distinctly Northern bass music scene, Red Eye HiFi’s Chips ‘n’ Gravy: A Love Story is a stellar debut of diverse bangers and dancehall vibes. What’s next for a Sound System capable of calling upon such a vast array of talent? Red Eye HiFi are truly worth following in 20161 and beyond.