GUTTA-AUTONOMY EP (GUTTA RECORDS) REVIEW 2003
Yet another
The 'Autonomy EP' opens with braggadocio rhymes on 'Stoppit', a horn-driven track that samples Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together'. Unfortunately, it is difficult to make out some of Gutta's lyrics due to an effect added to the vocals, however a more aggressive Gutta is unaffected by this problem on 'Battlin' Ain't Dead'. With its pleasant piano melody, this is the strongest track on the set. More battle lyrics are dropped on 'Enuff Is Enuff', where Gutta is joined by Knowledge of Mentis, and the EP is rounded off with a less aggressive Gutta rhyming off-beat and spreading paranoia fever on 'Think'.
Despite having obviously put a lot of time and effort into this record, unfortunately the end result is rather unpolished. On the whole, the production itself is not too bad… Check out this record out by all means..."
…spend your money on the 'Autonomy' EP by Gutta (Gutta Records) which is about as raw as meat in the store but pulses with head-cracking energy and ruffneck style.
HHC
Surprise of the month comes from Gutta and his self produced 'Autonomy EP'. The opening track 'Stoppit' uses Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together' in an incredible truncated manner as Gutta spits hard lyrics. 'Battlin' Ain't Dead' is a haunting cut with a few naughty words that Necro fans would appreciate. Very hard, very good and not one to play to your little sister.
GUTTA - Autonomy E.P.
With the exception of a few, UK Hip-Hop is often slated for its apparent lack of authenticity. Gutta's E.P. though is a brilliant slab of suburban
JANUARY 2004
Gutta - Autonomy (EP)
On the cover of his self-produced EP, Autonomy, Gutta gives the impression of a guy that grannies cross the street to get away from. Inside, he proves lyrically that he is that guy: grimy, p-o'd and not afraid to start trouble.
Stoppit samples a 'Let's Stay Together' horn sample and features Gutta reppin' for
The second half of the EP moves into the strongest material of the set. Enuff is Enuff, featuring Knowledge of Mentis has a slicker production, with a distorted guitar riff running throughout. Gutta's delivery on this one is spot on - just enough of a growl, but not as heavy as on Battlin' Ain't Dead. Knowledge is a good addition to this song - his style of flow meshes well with Gutta's.
Think contains a deeper lyrical content than the previous jump offs. Gutta raps about the need to question what is going on in the world covering everything from
It's good to see a
Like Jay-Z has said, being a rapper is only 50% about rapping. The other 50% is all business. Let's see where Gutta's business-minded street style takes him for the 04.
Autonomy is out now on Gutta Records.
Da' rinse rating: •••
SEPTEMBER 2003
GUTTA – AUTONOMY EP
"I have virtually no information on my man Gutta, I got an email, then I received a CD. So one thing we can say is that the guy seems organsied and is no flake in terms of living up to his words. Seems to be a one man affair with pretty much all the work being done by Gutta himself and to introduce us to him he's dropping a four track CD appropriately entitled Autono
Stoppit the opener lets us know that he is from
Battlin' Ain't Dead continues in the same lyrical vein, but makes use of some more orchestral strings and grand piano for the backing. Both of these opening beats have touches of Premo influence about them with the chopped samples… Gutta here has a much gruffer delivery and even if it is a lame comparison I'd liken this style to a UK DMX. There is a bit of drum machine about the beat, which is contrasted with the next track where the sound of the kick drum is really heavy and has been engineered just right.
Enuff Is Enuff moves further into DMX territory with a distorted electric guitar riff and a more simplistic scan to the rhymes with each of the lines having a slight pause before the next one. The chorus has an even more shouted delivery which ties in with the title of the track and indicates someone about to loose it. The track also features Knowledge of Mentis who has a voice that contrasts with Gutta's quite starkly and together they bounce off each other well, choosing to do a line or two each rather than the usual verse each.
The final track Think starts off in a more abstract manner to the other tracks and is where Gutta gets a bit more complex with his flows as he demonstrates another side to his styles in a more classic funky track rather than the previous anger tinged tracks. Of the whole EP this is the track that gets me enthused the most and is also unfortunately the shortest.
There is obviously a great deal of talent across all areas of music making here, but Gutta needs a small amount of polishing to be finished product. The areas I feel need addressing are the clarity of the vocals, I understand that this guys style is grimy and dirty, but I'm sure that there is something that can be done to bring out the vocals a touch. Maybe it is partly a delivery thing, but more likely practice at recording can expedite this minor failing. To put this in context it isn't even a volume thing and I have heard many professionals who come over far worse, it is probably my stock complaint that I would level at many MCs. The other thing is the complexity of the arrangements, and whilst I do think that the compositions are definitely the basis for good tracks they need a bit more development in terms of changes over the full 3 minutes or more duration of the tracks.
There seems to be more artists in this clique with DJ Vigilante's Filthy Mixtape due out soon, and Gutta & Knowledge are hooking up again for a joint EP entitled The Midnyt Xpress also due out soon. As ever I have probably written a review that is overly harsh, so don't be turned off immediately without checking this out for yourselves. I'm not sure where this will be available, but the packaging is well designed so keep an eye out".
JUNE 2004
GUTTA – BLUDGEONED
Battlin Ain't Dead continues the improved sound with a realistic piano and 808 type beat..... It is back to basics on U'll Get Dropped as Gutta spits over a simple drum beat. Gutta has different levels of Gruff...but he sounds better when he is more natural, like on Think where Gutta gets more complex with his delivery and hooks up a sweet guitar sample. But the tracks with the guests on are the best. This isn't just because of the different MCs, but the beats seem to be of a higher quality as well and definitely appeal more. Vs Us is like this and features Verses who also gets busy on the later Aggro.
Enuff Is Enuff features another guest - Knowledge from Mentis....the MCs go back and forth well as they express how they have just come to the end of their tethers. The use of a power guitar sample fits in with Gutta's general sound and outlook. Bludgeoned finishes off with Rethink, another track in largely the same vein.
The design of the CD case continues and slightly evolves from the earlier Autonomy EP sleeve and Gutta definitely has his own style in design as he does in lyrical delivery. The font is the same but there is a new picture of a menacing looking bald headed Gutta. It is a touch plain, but equally people frequently get it wrong when they don't follow the old adage of keep it simple stupid. Look out for the new Verses EP set to drop on Gutta Records soon.
Gutta: Bludgeoned (Gutta Records)
Gutta releases an intriguing debut LP delivering a barrage of unsavoury words...The CD shows promise...With more tracks like the slow, reflective Rethink Gutta's time to make a mark on the hip hop scene may come yet.
7 out of 10
Reviewer: Bob Saltine