The Nextmen
Author: TranZfusion
Friday, June 8, 2007
Dom Betmead and Brad Ellis are UK's the Nextmen, they joined forces when Brad blagged a remix for London Posse which ended up on Radio1. It put The Nextmen on the map, and in 2000 they released their debut album 'Amongst The Madness' on the revered 75 Ark imprint. Originally intended to be a Mo' Wax-style instrumentals album, their label began sending the beats out to rappers in the States and before they knew it, the Nextmen were hip hop producers, working with Public Enemy, Blackalicious, The Pharcyde and Morcheeba. 'Get Over It', 2003's sophomore album for Scenario, only strengthened their position as one of the UK's brightest beatmakers.
Fast forward to 2007, and the Nextmen deliver their third studio album the highly anticipated 'This Was Supposed To Be The Future'. Its been four years coming and the changes in Nextmen's direction - if they could even be described as such - grew out of their DJ sets; they've spent the last years playing everywhere from a sunken indoor swimming pool in Elizabeth Taylor's private villa in Cannes, a deep dark bunker in Moscow, a mountain-top ski jump in Val D'Isere, a heaving Sydney harbour-side arena, a much loved local pit stop in Shanghai, a heaving New Years natural amphitheatre in Perth to their favourite beats and meats BBQ with Friends & Family in Manchester.
'This Was Supposed To Be The Future' is energetic, incredibly eclectic and ultimately one of this years essential records. It blends together a multitude of genres, going right across the hip hop, soul and dance music board and houses the talents of Alice Russell, Fat Freddys Drop to LSK of Faithless making it one of the most refreshing releases of the year. Tags