Jam Baxter & Jon Phonics - Fresh Flesh EP - OneLion Review

Jon Phonics is an understated but highly regarded producer who isn't scared of venturing in different directions away from hip hop and has been extremely successful in fusing various electronic styles but is (and has been for some time) firmly routed in the scene and regularly works with the cream of the crop.

Jam Baxter is a lyrical sorcerer that has risen to well deserved glory in recent years after a string of excellently delivered projects. He is ⅕ of british hip hop power group Contact Play alongside Mr Key, Dirty Dike, Ronnie Bosh and Edward Scissortongue as well as being ⅓ of Dead Players alongside the likes of Dabbla (LDZ) with Ghostown on the beats. On top of putting out instant classics with both groups, Baxter has released 2 solo projects which have blown us away.

The pair first collaborated back in 2010 on Jon Phonics ‘Half Past Calm 2’ album on a banger titled ‘Dark Days’ also featuring High Focus head honcho and extremely talented  rhymesmith in his own right, Fliptrix.

So here we are, 4 years on and the pair have been back in the lab together cooking up a 4 track EP set for digital release on 20th of this month (August). The project, titled ‘Fresh Flesh’, kicks off with an instrumental intro track that gives you that dark, smooth-synth feel you’d expect to get from a Jon Phonics release with a few very ‘Baxteresque’ samples over the top that marry the two styles together and bring you in nicely.

The remaining three tracks boast some of the first new solo material we’ve heard from Baxter for a little while. It’s safe to say, he doesn't disappoint and he comes with his brand of twisted interpretation in a hard hitting style that compliments the relaxing yet dark and somewhat ominous Phonics beats he’s going over.

This release will definitely be enough to keep you excited for the full length Baxter LP which, we’re assured, will be with us before the year is out!

Out 20th August 2014 and available to Pre-order direct from High Focus or via iTunes!