Beat Assailant, the nine-piece hip hop fusion band produced by Maxime Lebidois (aka Danny Wild) have been working on Imperial Pressure for the past two years. The result is a maverick-in-the-making anthem drawing from the best of the band's live energy, and bursting with fruity lyrics that are complimented by a tight acoustic arrangement.

The contents of Imperial Pressure may have taken a while to refine, but the album was laid down in a week - which may be why it has such an infectiously sassy, raw vibe. Beat Assailant have a catchy style that incorporates elements of bouncy funk, jazz horns and rock, but Imperial Pressure never strays too far from Beat Assailant's hip-hop roots and urban aesthetics.

'Better Than Us' has beats a-plenty, fusing rock and electro with a sweepingly soulful chorus, whereas 'Charlie White' is a piano- and violin-driven ballard with razor-sharp lyrics and bouncy hip hop bravado. Few newbie hip hop outfits have managed to create such a rapturous flavour, so lets hope that Beat Assailant keep true to their eclectic urban sound whilst retaining a freshness that can only be achieved with an acoustic element. (Holly Wicks)

Label: Dirty Dozen Records
Release Date: 13/10/08

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