Children Of Zeus - The Winter Tape (Mixtape)
Manchester’s Soul / Rap duo Children Of Zeus give their fans a Christmas present after an incredible year. Fresh of a UK tour which see them expand their live show to Europe, Australia and New Zealand early next year celebrating once of the best albums of 2018, ‘Travel Light’. COZ drop a mixtape on Bandcamp to slip last minute into your loved ones stocking. The mixtape ‘The Winter Tape’ features some of their manchester peers and some heavyweight US hip hop producers Black Milk and DJ Green Lantern along with a verse from former Roc-A-Fella rapper Peedi Crakk.
Picking up where the album left off, Konny Kon supplies the intellectual bars and Tyler Daley the emotive soul. Their nostalgic sound has really cemented them as one of the stand out exports UK urban music has to offer. They truly have a universal hip hop soul sound that follows in the vein of Loyal Carner, Tom Misch and Jay Prince. It may not have the futuristic feel or afro vibe that the majors are queuing up to sign but their sound is proving a global reach that has brought all these acts independent success.
How do you top an incredible album? This feels more like an extension to ‘Travel Light’ much like Kendrick’s ‘Untitled’ was a continuation of ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’. I’m sure no one is tired of the album so to have these extra 14 tracks to bump to with some growth is a welcome addition to what many consider as album of the year. Stand outs include ‘10 Toes’, ‘Won’t End Well’ and ‘All The Time’. But I’m sure after living with this album it will change. COZ’s have learnt the valuable lesson of, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ with this stellar mixtape, enjoy and merry christmas.