[rating=7.00]
If you look at the history and timeline of American music, it seems only natural that two of our country’s greatest contributions to the world – blues and hip-hop – would sooner or later cross paths. Sure, there have been endless samples of blues songs used in hip-hop, but few if any acts have taken on the task of fully bringing the two genres together. If that’s not surprising, what is more surprising is that the one group completely dedicated to this idea is not American at all, but French. Scarecrow are relatively unknown here in the States, but since forming six years ago the group has gained a following around their home country. As its members proclaim, Scarecrow is a mash-up of dobros, turntables, blues singing and defiant French rapping.
Scarecrow’s newest effort The Last seems to occupy its own space, falling somewhere between Alabama 3 and Gangstagrass, both groups of which are known for fusing different kinds of American Southern roots music with elements of hip-hop and dance. What makes Scarecrow especially interesting is the way they mix the English language and French, often in a single song.
The title track opens opens the album with a groovy bassline and serrated vocals before a slide guitar and the subtly building scratch of a turntable push their way into the music. The song is an establishment of the blues hip-hop concept and it’s also a strong way to pull you into the dynamic of Scarecrow’s music. “Blackcatbone” has an eerie, sinister quality, while “Suitcase Blues” is more of a stripped down, acoustically picked blues tune accompanied by the sounds of rain falling and a brief piano jam.
Even if you can’t understand French, it is the more straightforward hip-hop tracks like “Shake It”, “Tu Peux, Pas” and “Pendaison” that catch you. The flow of the language has always been conducive to rapping (MC Solaar?), and turntable master Antibiotik Daw uses this truth to his advantage as he spits out socially conscious lyrics with an aggressive, hard-hitting flow. “L’Importuné” is one of the standout tracks on the album as the group takes a bare bones approach and presents the blues hip-hop concept in its simplest form with greasy slide guitar, basic shuffling drums and quick-fire rap verses. Instrumental track “Like This” is also a standout, a funky groove that brings to mind the Beastie Boys’ project The In Sound from Way Out!
Respect must be given to a group willing to be totally upfront with their musical concept. At times The Last comes off as a bit novel and the mix of French and English doesn’t always work. Yet, there’s a self-awareness to it all, and ultimately that doesn’t hold the album back, as the members of Scarecrow are clearly huge fans of both hip-hop and blues. The Last is a worthwhile listen if you are looking to hear something different than standard hip-hop or blues, because it’s a joyous collision of both. It’s also interesting to be reminded of the special connection between two of America’s largest musical contributions to the world, ironically by a group not from this country.
[youtube id=”OuEvxihUQ7E” width=”630″ height=”350″]
