Dropped back in 2008, The Union Jack Album generates that rare exciting feel from a hip-hop debut, with the Huddlesfiled (Yorkshire) native , Jack Flash, having made everyone on the UK underground turn heads when it was released.

The hidden sample at the end of the opening track best summarizes Jack’s dilemma—‘Maybe rap has kinda been done to death, you don’t want to be the last on a long train of rappers’. But thankfully Jack has proved he’s more than that.
The album is rampant with ill scratches and interesting loops aiding the release to play from front to back with ease. Dusty kicks snares and timely samples join the head nodding production forming a solid slingshot for Jack’s laid back northern accent.

As the front man For a 8 Piece Live Hip-Hop band called Extra Curricular, there are many strings to this rapper’s bow and his variant musical interests are evident throughout. Along with his delivery, what really sets Jack aside from many is his verbal clarity and bravery to cover hard topics. Whether it be the consequential heartache of economic depression in the industrial north with ‘Sleepy Little Town’, the monopoly of addiction on beautiful solace’Refuge’ or the reminiscent ‘Like it Was Yesterday’, his variation in story choice keeps the album dynamic while giving his lyricism real depth.

However Jack is no hermit ‘sit in your room’ writer either. His pin-point punch lines and ciphering skills are hard to challenge, earning him the title of EOW (End of Weak) World champion in February 2009. A branch of his music best noticed on the stomper ‘Four Minute Warning.’ There’s no ego ‘cupping my balls bravado here’, just rare sweat, love and devotion for a true culture. Add all that with the small touches throughout like letting the instrumentals jam on many a track –you’re presented with a great listen. Jack Flash we salute you.

Words Ali Raymond
Jack Flash Myspace
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