In 2022 during the great plaque, work began compiling ‘Weld’ a 17 track chef-d'œuvre featuring 16 brand new MC and collaborators, a worldwide vocalist arsenal celebrating Kinlaw’s scope as a producer and a bedrock for multilingual messaging.
“Global noise-rap punktronics from a global guest cast of MCs and vocalists from Bristol to Togo, Uganda to Palestine - steeped in the mystery and folklore of a small town in Dorset, England. Weld is the defining statement of the Kinlaw universe“
Weld was assembled with 30 dubs, chats at the pub and a few emails. Some artist like Operation Egodeath, Robin Stewart (of Giant Swan infame), Dali de Saint Paul, Kelan, D Ham are confirmed members of the shadowy Avon Terror Corps shadowy, Ceramics alumni or Bristol underground friends like Birthmark or Danny Nedelko (of Heavy Lungs / IDLES infamy). At its core Weld is a celebration of this strong local scene - in Kinlaw’s world, local is global - through internet or psychic projection, we are all one. The link-up with Jordan’s premiere avant garde outlet Drowned By Locals is an important expression of this no-borders attitude - with them providing a jumping point to a wealth of vocal talent from the Middle East and beyond.
Opening with Abdel Ja7eem Hafeth wrenching cover of Johnny Thunders - Society Makes me sad, sung in arabic. After the dust settles, things begin as they intend to go on with the belter Zukuka featuring Ugandan MC, Activist and Nyege Nyege hero Ecko Bazz. Effected Signaller features Togolese No Corner / Rwdfwd vocalist Yao Bobby. In the second part of WELD, Tunisian Toxic Club soldiers Flow Tha Key and Dryveins bring their respective mellow and doom performances in Kinchasa and Too Many Signals; separated by future-shocked thickly accented Italian rap by Franco Franco in E Gli Fanno; followed later by Palestinian MC MrF13’s Strategically Demorphed, staving off total collapse in an isolated vault which is falling apart; a Sisyphean journey to madness. In ملوك الشغب , Kafr El Dauwar singer, composer and songwriter Ibrahim X brings the mixtape’s energy to an unexpected turn with his famous full blown Egyptian wedding aesthetics, only to be grounded towards the end by Elvin Brandhi’s Speech Plasticity.
Accompanying the album are a collection of cards, the origins, motive & gameplay is still unknown. Story has it they were originally discovered in the flooded basement of Castlemeadesque, Barclays House in Poole, Dorset. Described by one google user as “Mirroring Corfe Castle in Modern Brutalist style.” and also home to peregrine falcons. The offices were abandoned two years ago, and the cards, in 3 sets of five, were recovered by one of the bank employees. Masterley restored for Weld by Winchester Picture Corps.
released May 26, 2023
Producer: Kinlaw
Vocals and Lyrics: Abdel Ja7eem Hafeth, Ecko Bazz, Delko, Dali de Saint Paul, Birthmark, Kelan, Yao Bobby, Operation Egodeath, Flow Tha Key, Franco Franco, Dryveins, D Ham, MrF13, Ibrahim X, Elvin Brandhi
Co-Producer on track 8 ‘Earthwork’: Robin Stewart
Co-Producer on track 10 ‘Kinchasa’: MXXXXY
Vocal Recording and Co-Production on track 1 ‘Mujtama3ku Be7azzinni’: jinjin
Master: Rashad Becker
Artwork: Hamish Trevis
Card Deck Artwork: Winchester Picture Corps
DBL18CT
