Killer Album

Ruthless Rap Assassins broke the mould. For a brief moment in 1990 they shifted the nucleus of UK rap away from the capital to their native Manchester, offering a thinking man's alternative to the indie-dance of Happy Mondays and Stone Roses. Their debut LP, KILLER ALBUM, reflected the black British experience in a unique, often poignant way. All the way live from the notorious North Hulme estate, the trio of Anderson, Carson and a pre-Black Grape Kermit eschewed the phony Brooklyn accents of many London contemporaries for a hardbitten, sometimes bitter but always razor sharp trawl through the harsh realities of low-budget living packed with depth, humour and social comment. Using a sampledelic approach incorporating elements of rock, reggae, pop and jazz segued by producer Greg Wilson their open embrace of diversity has haunted the grooves of countless acts to flow in their wake. The 20th anniversary edition of KILLER ALBUM comes with extensive liner notes and rare photos. Includes three super rare bonus cuts including remixes from Norman Cook and De La Soul's Mase. KILLER ALBUM's And It Wasn't A Dream was included in Mojo's 50 Greatest British Tracks Ever in 2006. City Life named KILLER ALBUM one of the three best LPs to hail from Manchester (alongside The Smiths and Stone Roses). First release on Original Dope, Cherry Red's new rap imprint, curated by long-term Hip-Hop Connection editor Andy Cowan