Heiruspecs

I'm a little short on new stuff to write on right now, so instead I'm opening up the vaults and posting on a very underrated hip hop group out of the Twin Cities that I've been listening to a lot again lately. The group is known as Heiruspecs, and they have been making great hip hop for about 10 years now. But these guys aren't you're standard hip hop act; they actually play instruments and perform as a live band. It's right along the same lines as The Roots only with a bigger influence of funk in the songs.

Personally, I really dig the stripped down, basic sound of Heiruspecs. It really pushes them musically as they have a lot less to work with when only using a drum set to create the beats. Their songs vary quite a bit as they range from up beat funk tunes to slower, darker, more driving songs. Overall though the music behind the songs provides for great backing tracks, and the rhymes provided by primary MC Felix and his partner Muad'dib flow smoothly on top.

Despite musical and lyrical talents, the group has never found success in the mainstream. I guess really this doesn't surprise me given the recent trends of hip hop and rap in general, but it's really a shame because I think a lot of people have missed out on their stuff. They haven't been the most prolific of bands over the past decade though. In 10 years of existence they've only produced 3 studio albums, two of which I have, and 2 live albums. Their last true studio album, A Tiger Dancing, came out in 2004, which was about when I first heard of them. So essentially they've put out almost nothing since then, with the exception of their 2007 live album which contained some new tracks as well as old ones. Rumor has it they are working on a new album, but other than that I have no info.

But until then there are still plenty of great tracks from their two main albums, Small Steps and A Tiger Dancing. The first song, "5ves", is one of their strongest and was the only one of theirs to ever receive any attention. It has a cool, steady vibe with a great keyboard hook. The other two are great examples of them employing catchy funk-style beats and bass lines to give the songs life.

Heiruspecs - 5ves

Heiruspecs - Work

Heiruspecs - All Fall Down


- Alec