Homecut is a six member ensemble that is the creation of rapper/vocalist Testament delivering soulful hip-hop with live instrumentation. The results are a refreshing blend of laidback grooves with jazzy overtones that bring to mind the early days of the Brand New Heavies while Testament’s rhymes’ evoke memories of the native tongues. The first single “I don’t even know” features Corrine Bailey Rae and Soweto Kinch. Corrine sings the chorus over a laidback piano riff with Testament and Soweto dropping verses lamenting the struggles of a hard knock life. “Not too far to go” showcases a funky baseline and finds Testament singing over a soothing keys and flute collaboration. “Time difference” is a laidback jazzy tune that Testament sharing the stage with J-Live. You won’t find any sampling on this disc, just soulful bangers with thought provoking lyrics that will move your feet and stir your soul. When you add contributors like Andreya Triana and Lee Sun to the mix, you have one record that definitely deserves a place in your collection.
