Soom T & Budz - Ode To A Karrot (Khanti Records/Pias)

For this album Soom T called on a number of budz (which can be read as "friends" as well as as "a flower preparing to blossom") like Manudigital and Norwegian duo Helgeland 8 bit Squad. The vocal contributions on 'Ode To A Karrot' came from Jstar ('Junglo Peace'), Konchis ('Oui Rant', 'Weed Is Sweeter') and Trinity Lo Fi ('Budz', in which the Geordie rappers warn not to mix weed with tobacco). Those who think that an entire album full of ganja-tunes is a bit over the top, we can reassure, as Soom T discusses different aspect of the plant in each song: the catchy opener 'Easy Weed' is about the ease with which the plant seems to be able to thrive just about anywhere, 'Booma Shiva' is the expression used by Indian sadhus before using marijuana, and in 'Thank My Dealer' the singer thanks all marijuana sellers who've crossed her path over the years. But the world of green pleasure, of course, also has its shadow side, something Soom T explores in 'Dark Side Of The Doob'. And then you have so called friends who only visit when you've just got a new stash in ('Weedy Hawks'). As the title suggests, 'Oui Rant' isn't really a song but rather a rant in which Soom T gives her honest opinion about her ganja-experiences. 'Ganja Ganja' was already one of the top tunes on 'Ode 2 A Carrot' and that remains the case with 'Say Ganja', a remix by Helgeland 8 bit Squad. As Soom T sings somewhere on 'Ode To A Karrot': "Puff that weed!"