HIP HOP RELEASE: Elf Tranzporter - Ethereal Lotus Fleet

An album three years in the making, the debut album from Elf Tranzporter titled Ethereal Lotus Fleet has finally arrived. Elf strikes a knockout blow with this 16 track socially and politically conscious release that’ll further cement his legendary status in Australia’s hip hop movement.

One of the founding members of seminal local hip hop group Meta Bass‘n’Breath (peep their cassette, captured in DJ Shadow’s collection, on the artwork to The Private Press) , LA-born Elf Tranzporter (aka Marlon Porter) first arrived in Australia in 1992 and wasted no time in immersing himself in the then infant local scene. In 1995, the group released the ground-breaking classic Life and Times of A Beatboxer, with ensuing tours of Australia and the USA confirming their popularity.

Elf uses his skills as a hip hop performer to conduct workshops and tutor disadvantaged and ‘high-risk’ kids at schools, community events, and juvenile justice centers (from urban to outback). Teaching students to express themselves through rap, story-telling and beat-boxing, Porter has recently returned from a trip to Alice Spings with DJ Wasabi, where the pair conducted workshops within the indigenous communities of Yuendumu and Harts Range.

It’s on this premise that Tranzporter drops his triumphant debut LP. A poignant sonic illustration, Ethereal Lotus Fleet mixes up descriptive story-telling, with sharp socio-political commentary, with a stellar supporting cast to boot. In How we Roll Maya Jupiter drops slick head-nodding raps, perfectly complemented by DJ Wasabi’s grinding beats and cuts, whilst Custom Religion rocks Middle Eastern beats with Elf’s own sharp critique of spiritual faith.

Guest appearances from local dub and dancehall vibe-master and keyboardist Mista Savona, vocal divas such as Vida-Sunshyne and Supina, as well as production masters Joelistics and Count Bounce from TZU fame and DJ Wasabi (FortKnight) along with many others all rounding off the killer album, with roots and reggae influences spiced with turntablism and beat-boxing.

Over the years he has shared stages with international acts including Allen Ginsberg (RIP), Jurassic 5, Nihtin Sawney (UK), Heavyweight Dub Champion and Grand Wizard Theodore (inventor of the scratch!). Along local lines, Elf has also performed live with some of Australia’s finest musicians, producers, crews, including: Combat Wombat, John Butler Trio, True Live, TZU, Illzilla, Diafrix, Mista Savona, Fortknight Productions, Miso and even an Australian High Court Justice - Justice Michael Kirby. Elf begins touring nationally throughout the latter stages of ’07, taking in all major cities both nationally as well as internationally to promote the new album Ethereal Lotus Fleet.