UWSA Stylus Magazine Review - Mood Ruff - Antarctica (Cold Cold World EP)
by Deanna Radford

This time 'round it's as if all the elements that go into a Mood Ruff recording have been put into an air-tight baggy and marinated for a strong spell. The outfit has collectively taken a breath and offer up a robust EP that is all about the delivery. There is a shape and rhythm rhymed on Cold Cold World that deviates from any time signature used by Mood Ruff in the past and is more clear, more flexible. Like the work of Roots Manuva split in two and then four - strong sonic allusions to reggae rhythms and the scrolling, sauntering sounds of DJ ICQRI make for a listen that stands out. The production on Cold Cold World is thoughtful: layered, split and dynamic, individually highlighting Eli and Odario's voices in their own, respectively unique - their rhyming and freestyling skills are as sharp as ever. Love 'em or not - Mood Ruff have always delivered; whether in releasing albums, organizing 'Peg City Holla or in this instance; the number of collaborations involved with this EP alone, (San Francisco's Zion I, of Winnipeg: Shadez, Tamaraw, fascade@137db, duende6, members of the Hummers...) Now joined with DJ ICQRI and Urbnet this EP equals a cool and ripened step into an interesting new place. (Slo Coach / Urbnet, www.moodruff.com) -Deanna Radford