Heavy Load is the 1993 debut album by Jason Furlow (b/k/a Nosaj) and Sebastian Laws (b/k/a Sebastian), who collectively were known as New Kingdom. This was called alternative hip-hop when it was released, which means New Kingdom were called alternative hip-hop when they became known. The group were also known for its producer, Scott Harding (b/k/a Scotty Hard). The album was released by Gee Street/4th & B'Way/Island Records.

One of the dozens of hip-hop groups signed in the early-'90s alt-rap feeding frenzy, this little-known duo is probably most notable for its seminal work with producer Scott Harding (aka Scotty Hard), who went on to work with artists like the Gravediggaz and Prince Paul. The first two tracks start their debut album off rather clumsily, with an in-your-face Beastie Boys-meets-Onyx vibe that falls a little flat. But by the time "Frontman" rolls around, with its relaxed Cypress Hill-influenced stoner vibe, they seem to have settled into a more comfortable groove. Songs like "Mad Mad World" and "Mighty Maverick" work especially well, with Sebastien's trippy spoken-word poetry matching the psychedelic musical backgrounds to create the drugged-out feel the band seems to strive for. And the freaky, funky effects of "Are You Alive" and the extremely goofy "Calico Cats" are so damn effective, you wonder why they bothered with the grating shtick of some of the earlier songs in the first place.



01. Good Times
02. Headhunter
03. Frontman
04. Mad Mad World
05. Mama And Papa
06. Cheap Thrills
07. Mars
08. Are You Alive?
09. Half Seas Over
10. Mother Nature
11. Calico Cats
12. Mighty Maverick
13. Lazy Smoke

--
Nosaj
Sebastian

Produced by The Lumberjacks, Scott Harding, and New Kingdom
Mixed by Scott Harding
Assisted by New Kingdom
Scratches: Myself
Recorded at Gee Studios, London and GLC Sound Studios, NY
Mastered by Howie Weinberg at Masterdisk, NY

"Half Seas Over" background vocals: A Bunch Of Drunk Mutha Funkers
"Mother Nature" drums: Matt Lipper
"Lazy Smoke" featuring Time Berne on alto saxophone