Asaviour Call him Asaviour, Savvy whatever you want.
	DJ IQ The best thing to happen to UK Hip Hop since that genius roots manuva line

PRESS/REVIEWS:

[SAVIOUR FAIRE] - [THE HOMECOMING/M.I.T.B REMIX] - [PLAY TO WIN VOL.1]
[THE BORROWED LADDER] - [SUCKER OR SAVVY?] - [PLAY TO WIN VOL. 2] - [LUST LETTERS (RMX)]

 

Saviour Faire EP

MP3 Of The Week , Asaviour - Be Careful.

I've been waiting ages for Asaviour, one of the best MCs in the UK, to release enough material to mean us putting up a download of his wouldn't be a quarter of his entire output. Last week, then, we finally got hold of his new album The Borrowed Ladder. A mixed bag of styles though the album is the boy's best works are still the darker, subdued numbers to which his original EP, Savoir Faire, really treated us.

http://www.noreally.co.uk/regulars/recommends/index.htm

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The Home Coming / Money in the Bank Remix Feat Kyza & Yungun

DJ Mag (UK) click to view image

"Single of the month has to be Asaviour's The Homecoming backed with the amazing Money In The Bank Remix produced by Jehst"
Single of the month
Hip Hop Connection

"The Homecoming is one of the most confident tracks i've ever heard from YNR...Asaviour sounds like a star already for the duration of The Homecoming and thatís all that matters." ****
DJ Magazine

"Asaviour's flow is slick like Rick!...One of YNR's best 12"s to date without doubt."
www.scenariorecords.com

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The Play to Win Mixtape vol.1

Hooker Magazine (UK) click to view image

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The Borrowed Ladder LP


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Big Cheese (UK) click to view image
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Hip Hop Connection (UK) click to view image
Notion (UK) click to view image
Redline (UK) click to view image
Blues & Soul (UK) click to view image
Big Smoke (UK) click to view image
Cool Eh Magazine (US) click to view image
Digital HH (Fr) click to view image
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Knowledge Magazine (UK) click to view image
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Mini album of fine British beats and rhymes with a thread of realism and class throughout. Features Production and guest rhymes from Evil Ed Jhest Mr Thing and Ghost. CD version has extra previously released Asaviour tracks (17 in total).

Asaviour has been quietly going about the business of creating a legacy that will stand the test of time since bursting onto the UK scene around '99. This Huddersfield born MC (and one time Manchester resident) together with long time spar Jehst have cut a path in UK Hip Hop for no holds barred truth telling, being confident enough in their own inherent talents to let the egotism to the less mentally endowed out there. Asaviours style really suits the more introspective tracks on this EP, those produced by Evil Ed and Ghost with their minimal yet layered beats.
Fatcity Records

Asaviour, Huddersfield boy by birth, he spent some time in Manchester and is now seemingly entrenched within the idiosyncratch South Yorkshire scene. He is probably best known for knocking around with UK Hip Hop luminaries Jehst and Braintax on the Low Life label although only through collaborations. His best work to date was his solo EP, Savior Faire, a bright spark of dark, subtle hip hop and that rare thing in UK Hip Hop, four consecutive tracks of equally deft touch.

So, history lesson over, we're dropped into The Borrowed Ladder, his debut album on Braintax's Low Life label, with pretty high expectations. UK Hip Hop has this habit of lagging behind the entire rest of the music world and somehow refusing, almost wilfully, to be as sharp and cutting edge as even some of the charting Hip Hop from the states or the other street scenes in this country. It's got a lot to compete with these days and to be honest the idea of competing with it is a moot one. There's a lot to be gained from dipping into Grime in the way clever artists in years gone by tapped into Drum 'n' Bass and Dub. There's a rich heritage to tap into here while so much of UK Hip Hop - especially the South Yorkshire scene - tries to furrow its own path, from scratch, taking as few cues from elsewhere as possible.

Despite being from the Braintax/Jehst set I didn't expect Asaviour to be so closed to other avenues. His voice, that thick Huddersfield twang, perfectly suited to his flow though it is may not necessarily lend itself to the more minimalist soundscapes but there's a whole world of Broken Beats and Nu Jazz out there to be tapped. It's a shame then, that we get the same production values and the same UK Hip Hop here. After Savior Faire, especially A Track Called It with its bleeping, ultaviolet-arrows-stalking-the-forest-at-midnight sound, there was scope for even more inroads to that slightly more electronic tone to be taken across the board. That EP proved that it's fertile ground. There are hints at it on The Borrowed Ladder, mind. Dramathing flickers with computer generated acoustic guitar and woodwind and the almost acid-y grumble of Gameface. It could have gone that way, you think. It just hasn't.

Instead we've got more of the same. The whole thing is so obviously inspired by sample-based Hip Hop, even when there aren't specific samples being used. The quality across the board is good and where UK Hip Hop succeeds where perhaps Grime fails is that the MCing is always so tight. So while Lust Letters may not fall that far from the well trodden path, may not take that many risks, the lyricism is absolutely top notch. While So Northern may sound like a bit of a skit, woozy like alcoholic funk, just like his peers on this side of the genre divide the flow raises its worth.

This style of Hip Hop isn't bad mind, I'm not trying to, uh, hate on it or anything. It just needs a shot in the arm. It's like DJ Premier to The Neptunes, it's just not a scene and this is just not an album that's about to really tear up a dancefloor or produce any truly essential anthems. Certainly not crossover ones. For purists you'll already love Asaviour because the boy's got skills. There are shinier objects on the mantlepiece though and some of us are just waiting for the production techniques to appear under the vocal talents of artists like these and we'll be in heaven.

It was blind optimism that ever made us think this would be the album to start building that bridge. Instead we should just appreciate The Borrowed Ladder for what it is, yet another fine vehicle for the work of a talented young lyricist. Good beats, the occasional chorus and wearing its dedication on its sleeve.

In one line, a great album but surely one of the last from a scene that needs to do some catching up.

http://www.noreally.co.uk/opinions/albums/asaviour-theborrowedladder.htm

Heads have been waiting for this tomb to drop for a hot minute and finally here it is. Asaviour 's debut LP, The Borrowed Ladder which is set to destroy sets across the globe. The intro for the LP gets things off to a speedy start with a fantastically funky loop and Asaviour shouting out his cohorts who have helped him get to this stage. Certainly an upbeat and interesting way to start.

Field Of Dreams continues with its big and well produced sounding beat provided by Evil Ed of Hidden Identity. Slower in tempo it has a classic feel with its piano and smooth bass line. Partly biographical, the rap tells the story of Asaviour's formative years in Huddersfield and what he reminisces from his youth. Dramathing gets production from Mr Thing and this brings a very live feel for a drum break driven track on which Asaviour flip flops his verbiose dexterity to further let you know of his skills. After the Where We Going??? skit, Bangers 'n' Mash brings in Jehst for a funky production. IQ gets busy on the frenetic cuts and Micall Parknsun is enlisted to handle the chorus vocals. This Planet opens with a suitably sci-fi opening with a touch of a repetitive electro vibe over what is actually quite a slow beat. Here Asaviour takes a political turn and demonstrates his ability to draw attention to how inequalities have repercussions. Water deprivation and enslavement are the result of big conglomerates policies and Asaviour is not scared to say so.
 
Following the Nang FM skit, So Northern is the first single and is the track for which we are hosting the video. Braintax features on the backup vocals and chorus for a track which doesn't quite hit the mark for me. Maybe I feel Asaviour's vocals are a bit quiet ot his diction is not quite as clear as he could be. But this could be due to Asaviour's speedy double pased flow. Regardless this is hyper critical and in all reality this track should definitely bump where necessary.

Use Your Head switches up the previous collaboration and sees Braintax take to the beat for another tantalising beat snippet in the form of a skit. As the LP hots up and you are immersed in this auditory gold Jehst brings in the beat for Home Coming with its plinky piano and heavy bass. Asaviour explains how his time has now come and what his motivation for continuing in the rap game is.

Money brings in the 70's wah wah guitar funk for a Gil Scott Heron type spoken word narration peice in which he drops some uplifting gems of what humans can achieve when they put their minds to it. The previously released Money In The Bank gets the remix treatment with Braintax's original beat getting re-touched by Jehst and extra vocalists added in the form of Kyza and Yungun . Both excel and Kyza in the past has properly blazes up his guest spots, but here it is possible that Yungun comes the nicest.

Findaz Keepaz sees new producer Apa-Tight delivering the niceness for Asaviour's regular live rhyming partner Jehst to join him on. The darkness of the production is lifted by the MCs, but unfortunately this track does fell a bit ploddy and feels a bit like an album track which doesn't really stand out too much. Jehst makes some nice observations, but rather than bursting out of the chrysalis the track does seen strangely contained and restrained. Things are brought back on point with Gameface , its electronic bass allowing Asaviour to explain how he is increasing the odds, and being realistic, there is only one option and that is to join him rather than stand against him.

The last couple of tracks keep the interest of the listener right up to the end. Lust Letters sees Asaviour get a little saucy with the subject matter and the final track Borrowed Ladder is a right belter to end on which is down in large part to the outstanding production from Ghost . The Outro continues with the funky feel the LP started on and altogether concludes what is a quality offering which I commend highly.

http://www.britishhiphop.co.uk/reviews/album_reviews/asaviour_-_borrowed_ladder_lp_low_life_.html

Asaviour est certainement le MC anglais qui sera à suivre ces prochaines années. Pour avoir travaillé à le reconnu Jehst, avec le désormais classique du hip-hop made in UK "People Under The Weather", il a usé de sa réputation émergente pour se frotter à toutes les scènes anglaises, de Manchester à Leeds pour finalement terminer à Londres. Se produisant sur scène avec des musiciens, il trace sa route avec une constante progression qui laisse présager que nous entendrons parler de lui de plus en plus dans les années à venir.

Il débute en 2003 avec un premier opus "Savoir Faire" sur Low Life Records , antique label hip-hop anglais qui édite entre autre SkinnyMan, Rodney P ou encore Verb T. Son potentiel apparaît comme bien réel avec des lyrics de qualité. Point que l'on retrouve sur le premier album à venir toujours sur Low Life Records, "The Borrowed Ladder" avec notamment le titre très politique "This Planet". Cette fois-ci, des instrus plus recherchés et une production moins convenue nous gratifie d'un album hip-hop excellent, chose rare en cette année 2006.

Quand les anglais se prennent à imiter les maîtres RJD2 et DJ Shadow, il faut s'attendre à une énorme déception ou à un résultat exceptionnel. Et c'est bien ce dernier cas qui prévaut pour "Borrowed Ladder", véritable condensé à émotions. Un sample de batterie de pur abstract hip-hop, un orgue version Endtroducing, une inspiration quasi divine offrent à ce titre tous les superlatifs dont je vous épargnerai la très longue liste. Just Enjoy....

Translation
Asaviour is certainly the English MC we will follow fo the next few years. After working with the well respected Jehst, with the classic hip-hop U.K. track “People Under The Weather”, he used his emergent reputation to rub with all the English scenes, from Manchester tp Leeds for finally finishing in London. Occurring on scene with musicians, he traces his road with a constant progression which lets predict that we will intend to speak about him more and more in the years to come.

He began in 2003 with a first opus “Savoir Faire” on Low Life Records , ancient English hip-hop label which publishes for example SkinnyMan, Rodney P or Verb T. His potential seems real good with great lyrics. You will find some new on his first album soon in store “The Borrowed Ladder” with in particular the very political track “This Planet”. This time, instrumental parts are really better and the nice productions gratifie us of an excellent hip-hop album, a rare thing in this year 2006.

When English begin to imitate the masters RJD2 and DJ Shadow, we can expect an enormous disappointment or an exceptional result. And this is well the last case which prevails for the tune “Borrowed Ladder”, a true digest of emotions. A sample of pure abstract hip-hop breaks, an "Endtroducing" organ, a divine inspiration offer to this track so many superlatives that I won't give you a list. Just Enjoy....

http://22boo.blogspot.com/2006/05/asaviour-borrowed-ladder-2006.html

For a while now, Asaviour has been known as Jehst's hype man, a good presence on stage but no-one really knew if he could transfer it onto a long player. His Savoir Faire EP was hot, but it only had a few tracks on it, so the mystery continued. Well let that question be answered with this release, because it's a banger of epic proportions. The lead single, So Northern , which he produced himself and which features Braintax on the chorus is a chunky beat which its impossible not to bop to, as he shouts out his up north crew.

Jehst produced Bangers N Mash is another class joint as the low piano notes and busy throbbing beat gives the perfect canvas on which to let Asaviour loose. His distinctive voice blasts out brilliant dialogue with carefree abandon as he trades it with Micall Parknsun. My favourite track is another heavy track, Findaz Keepaz , which features Jehst as the two throw it back and forth over the dirtiest of beats and not once does Asaviour come across as the lesser MC.

He can mix it up as well though, as he raps over more chilled beats like the Evil Ed produced Field of Dreams , Ghost's beat on Borrowed Ladder and Gameface which Asaviour laced himself. He's even good enough to include a remix of Money In The Bank with Kyza and Yungun guesting. I knew Asaviour was good, but this is the biggest surprise hit of the year so far for me, he's showed he's not just a hype man, he's part of the elite and he's done it in style.

http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/music/themix/1065

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Sucker or Savvy? Download MP3

Responsible for one of 2006's best albums in the form of his debut ‘The Borrowed Ladder', Huddersfield homeboy Asaviour returns with this download-only taster from his forthcoming project, ‘The A-Loop Theory'.

‘Sucker Or Savvy?' signals something of a change in musical direction for the charismatic Northerner, replacing the dusty samples heard on his aforementioned album with a sparser, slightly harsher sound. Over dramatic orchestral stabs and crisp handclaps Asaviour details his plans for making that paper without selling his soul, preferring under-the-radar longevity over gone-in-a-minute fame.

An interesting effort that bodes well for the rapper's sophomore set.

BLUES & SOUL MAGAZINE
Words Ryan Proctor

Late in this month is a pre-view track from an album that I had exclusive information on, as I did A Day in the life of with one of the artists involved. The A Loop Theory by Dj IQ and Asaviour should be out in a couple of months, though I'm not sure how they are gonna avoid clashing with IQ's second album in as many years, which is out in September

Anyway Sucker or Savvy is the teaser and it does its job. Dramatic chopped violin Stabs, next to 808/909 kicks, a tinkling synth and extremely washed out claps create a moody yet slightly experimental beat that hints at the free flowing creativity the two want to unleash on the world.

Asaviour comes on the track hard and flits between determined, metaphorical and a questioning stance, and definitely gets me hyped. Again no release date set but when anything is heard it'll be here first.

ECHOES MAGAZINE
Words Neo

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The Play to Win Mixtape vol.2

PRINT:
" It’s pretty much soundtracked my journey home from work and my lunch breaks as well over the last week and i’m still not growing tired of it".
Outline Magazine

ONLINE:
"A superb feel for getting the flow right throughout any song he touches and is one of the most underrated UK hip-hop guys around at the moment"
www.thebeatsurrender.co.uk

"Asaviour's production (and the production on this mixtape in general) is, overall, pretty impressive. In particular, the scruffy snare drums and slide guitar chorus of 'Beefy' (produced by Asaviour and IQ) and the threateningly drowsy 'Shut Up' by TB (produced by Asaviour) are both instantly addictive, and the James Bond brashness of 'Sucker or Savvy?' (Asaviour and IQ) makes for a nice, bold change of pace in amongst the sleepy head-noddery of most UK rap".
www.3barfire.com

"One of the most under-rated rappers in the UK scene has released Vol 2 of his well received mix series Play 2 Win... the quality of the tracks is high, and I’m picking out “Beefy” and “Sucker or Savvy” as two great examples of Asaviour and IQ’s work.....If anything this mixtape is a promo for the duo’s two up and coming albums “A Loop Theory” and Asaviour’s self produced Netskool Klassiks. Both of which I look forward to reviewing, in the near future…"
www.leedshiphop.co.uk

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Lust letters (REMIX)



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Coming Soon

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Coming Soon

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