In 1999, the duo of DJ T-Rock & Squashy Nice formed in Atlanta. Squashy Nice is an accomplished beats producer, and DJ T-Rock is a scratch-master responsible for battle records on the likes of Bomb Hip-Hop Records, Stereo-Type, and Replicant Music Trading Corp. Together they released three party-ready instrumental hip hop albums for New Zealand’s Why Records label. Now based from coast-to-coast (Squashy Nice in New York and DJ T-Rock in Los Angeles), the duo has joined the Cold Busted family for their fourth album, the satisfying seventeen track Back To The Essence.
Showcasing the variety and breadth that Squashy Nice’s beats and samples and DJ T-Rock’s scratches can provide, the tracks on Back To The Essence swerve from party rockers to soulful, thoughtful numbers featuring vocals from New Zealand vocalist Miss Glue. Among the standouts are the opening “Hit The Breaks”, combining harmonica, ’60s style fuzz guitar, heavy beats, and some crucial vocal scratches; “Let Them Be”, with Miss Glue’s lovely vocals providing a counterpoint to acoustic guitar cut-ups; and “Watch The Clouds”, featuring gentle piano, a loungey string section breakdown, and wistful vocals from Squashy Nice. Back To The Essence should be ingested whole, as its plentiful tracks radiate fun, funk, and good vibes. It’s like a virtual block party dropping down wherever its cuts are playing.
Frank / All Good Funk Alliance (Super Hi-Fi) – “Well rounded, excellent production, unique tunes and strong breaks. Great!”
Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s) – “Some lovely moments on here.”
Shantisan (Salted Soul) – “I love these crispy beats.”
Apostolos Argyris (The Zuzu Club) – “This was really unexpected. A great surprise.”
Azaxx (Tru Thoughts) - “Hit The Breaks is a BOMB!”
Brandon Bass (Hub City Music Group) – “They Own Your Soul feat. Miss Glue = the HOTNESS!”
Trotter (Royal Soul Records) – “Love it! Great feeling on the tunes, I deeply recommend this.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “An all around very cool album. Digging Miss Glue’s vocals on Let Them Be.”
SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “Yummy scrummy. Cold Busted have magic in dem bones!”
Clairvo (Tilos Radio FM 90.3) – “Wow! Can’t find words. Album of the year so far!”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show – Perth) – “Cold Busted keep bringing the heat, and this release is crazy hot! Not one weak track on here.”
Available Now From: Bandcamp, Juno Download, iTunes, And Spotify.