Kero One is a San Francisco rapper, producer, DJ and label owner who stands as a true testament to the do-it-yourself success story.

Using only home recording equipment and his personal credit card, Kero One released his first 12” single in 2003 on his own label, Plug Label. With no prior knowledge as to how to distribute a record, Kero One spent hours researching, and seeking help from friends. Eventually 50 copies were distributed around the world and a few weeks later A Japanese DJ happened to find a copy in a Tokyo store and played it in his club. A Japanese label exec heard the track and contacted Kero One to ask for 3000 copies of the record.

Almost instantly the record became a big hit in Japan and a few months later Kero One was asked to tour the country. Realising just how big a fan base he had got, the dream of a music career was becoming reality.

In 2005 Kero One’s first album, Windmills of the Soul, was finished. He handled everything himself on this album from playing instruments, rapping, and sound engineering. He did his own web design along with his finances, promotions and marketing. All of this hard work paid off and in 2006 he quit his job as a graphic designer to pursue his passion in life, that of a professional a music career.

Early Believers is Kero One’s new album, it has everything you want and more. He makes catchy, original tunes based on hip hop and infuses them together with genres such as soul, jazz, electro and some Brazilian beats too.

The tracks 'Keep Pushin’', 'Bossa Soundcheck' and 'A Song For Sabrina' are all set to a Brazilian carnival feel. They are vibrant, lively and yet have the sophisticated feel of jazz playing in the background. These are tunes to get your body moving to.

Kero One proves that, whilst he has done all of the work on this album himself, when working with other vocalists he shines. 'Stay on the Grind' features Ohmega Watts and the two just bounce off each other. It’s such a simple song with drums, guitar and synth, but as soon as the two begin their rapping it becomes so much more.

'Love and Happiness' featuring Tuomo is a chic, cool track played to a soulful beat. The rapping vocals on this track are dreamy and the chorus is catchy yet calm and chilled. This is sublime.

The slow intro. to 'Goodbye Forever' featuring Ben Westbeech, carries on throughout the track with a warm heartfelt beat. I love the sound of the bongo drums in the background and the constant clapping to the beat.

The two tracks on here that stand out as being influenced highly on electronica are 'I Never Thought That We' and 'On and On'. While 'I Never Thought That We' is quite upbeat, 'On and On' is chilled, with sophisticated beats.

There is not one track on this album that I can fault - it truly is brilliant. Kero One takes risks in his music using so many genres in any one track. It could be so wrong but Kero One gets it right every time with just the right balance of everything.

A cool, sophisticated and lively, at times, listen.

10

Helena Rea