Wiley – Race Against Time Review

Very late. Very much sorry. But this is it. That CD. The one I’ve been waiting for since December’s See Clear Now. Does it live up too the hype created by a wave of hardcore listeners and fan-boys ? (I mention them primarily because let’s face it the man himself has prepared no self-promotion) ! In my opinion…well…wait and see .

“This Mother Is A Baddd Jamm” is the sampled intro to “Headbanger”, the CD’s opening track. What a clever man Wiley is; providing one with a chorus to which I’ve memorized back to front and there are 25 references to the number 25 in the 1st verse. This is the statement that says “Wow, Wiley’s back and it’s alot”. Ballistiq Beats provides a beat which is ironically a head-banger, the guitar just wraps up a fantastic intro. With an intro like that you would think everything was destined to be sugar coated with rose petals and cherry’s. Unfortunately we get lumbered with “She’s Glowing”. A collaboration between 3 MC’s, who most would say are the best to come from this scene, is wasted on this auto-tune glossed affair. I’ll conceive that on a 1st listen you find yourself humming along but a little while later, you find yourself throwing up. All grime though eh Will ?

“Eyes Of The Lord” provides a somewhat calm but forceful message on Nathan Retro’s slow and simple but all the more effective beat. The relaxing mood of such beat is fish food compared to both of Danny Weed’s notorious freestyle beats. “Hummer Activity” & “Off The Radar” may come across as lazy for someone’s album, but they are simply the best of there kind. A combined time of 8 minutes worth of freestyle provide great listening especially over Danny Weed’s repetitive but catchy rhythms. On every CD I think “Hmm maybe there’s something I could play in front of a wide non grime-accepting audience. “The Olly” does certainly become that tune. Being a native Dubstep Producer/DJ, I was expecting something a little more intense and dark from Skream. But what he does produce is something scarily catchy, with MC Dream’s simple but most admittedly admirable verses and Wiley’s predictable neighborhood friendly chorus, come great listening.

But forget all what I’ve written so far. Because we now come to “I Was Like You”. This is it: GRIME. And Wiley does nothing less than absolutely murder Maniac’s “Saltfish” beat. He grabs the beat and strangles it. I could base my final outcome on this song. But I won’t because we still have a bit to go yet and how better to continue than with “Race Against Time”. “Industry Exposure” is where you’ll recognize this Maniac production. Wiley was doing a lot back then and the lyrical skill shown on this track echo’s that era. This is vintage Eskiboy, one of them tunes you’d surely recommend to someone after a good Wiley tune.

“I’m up in Man’s City like Shaun Wright Phillips”

“Too Many Man” is a Boy Better Know group effort in which for me, only Frisco manages to amaze. The tune has some strange knack to sound so brilliant and well put together on one day, yet sound so poor and annoying on another. But this track is a mere distraction. What we have now upon us is the Magnum Opus “Where’s My Brother”. For the 2 years in which I’ve had my 120GB iPod classic, never has there been a tune played as much as this one. Everything about this song is perfect; the witty lines, the chorus, the production, everything. Let down only slightly by a dodgy pressing error, this tune is one for the ages.

“Kicked Out The Game” furthermore emphasis’s why Wiley’s godfather label is no longer self proclaimed.

“I gave them more..the 21st century holds me responsible for grime kids that are going on raw”

“Bang” is one of the more upbeat tracks, and you can defiantly bop your head to it. The chorus is alot and I can’t help but feel it’s directed towards Skepta. Maybe a little to deep interpretation there… . “Zip It Up” gives us the unlikely collaboration of Wiley, Giggs and Trigga. 3 different genres on one track really. The slightly faster the normal delivery is sharp from Giggs, I actually prefer this to his usual “just talking” like flow. Wiley’s also rapping on this one and Trigger’s intense Drum ‘N’ Bass like delivery shows what Track 2’s collaboration should of sounded like.

If it wasn’t for the inclusion of “Where’s My Brother” then track of the CD award would more than certainly go to “Average Worker”. Another genius Maniac production, Wiley simply slaps anyone’s attempts to better him with this song. A dig included at Dot Rotten provides a serious sound before he starts talking about….Nick Cotton ?!?! Wow. A close contended for best tune.

The whole CD’s apparent greatness is almost ruined by the auto-tune on “Time Flies By”. Luckily the catchy lyrics and flow act as this CD’s Saviour…phew. And to top everything off “Music I Like”‘ is a laid back and quite frankly enjoyable song. It’s like you’re sitting here listening to do dust settle as Wizzy Wow’s beat just plays continuously at the end..and you think…wow.

So. The verdict ? Here you go

Get Rid Off: She’s Glowing, Too Many Man.

Skip To: Where’s My Brother, Average Worker, Music I Like.

Originality: 8/10

Lyrical Skill: 9/10

Productions: 8/10

Overall: 25/30

5 STARS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you’ve heard a better CD this year then….