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….

New Bashy – Catch Me If You Can Review

Check this review I did for Bashys album over at my site here! And I hope you’ve already check Frankz’ one, if not, check it here! And don’t forget to check the Biggest Grime Tune Of All Time blog we did!

Edit: Just upped the ‘Skepta – Microphone Champion’ Review!

Edit 2: And now the ‘Wiley – Race Against Time’ Review!

Bashy – Catch Me If You Can Review

Hang tight Dionne in HMV for screw-facing me when I asked her to take a picture of me with the CD :S !!

Well well well. June the 1st is among us. Admittedly, out of the 3 CD’s that were being released today, Wiley’s was the one I wanted to get 1st. But that’s not coming out until the 8th and I ain’t waiting around !!

Bashy’s name has been on the lips of millions of people, from Tim Westwood to Gordon Brown, all over England and even across Europe. Other than the um-matchable message he belted out on “Black Boys”, Bashy was the only artist to make a Grime hit the national charts in 2008 with “Kidulthood 2 Adulthood”.

The CD opens up with an epic message, various different people bigging up Bashy for all the work he’s done, creating history with “Black Boys” and inspiring thousands. “Before Before” is a genius piece of work, a celebration of all the things he grew up with including legendary Dizzee Rascal & D Double E Bars, classic TV Shows like Desmonds (Wow, that ain’t been on for AGES) and the real McCoy plus a remembrance of general life. The promise of “Who Want’s To Be A Millionaire” is let down slightly by Toddla T’s headache providing beat. “She’s A Gangster” gets more and more catchy with each play. The hook is just off this planet and Bashy does alot on the verses.

The 1st feature comes in the form of mega multi-platinum album selling group N Dubz on “Travel The World”. The song is quite good, Dappy’s hook is what really makes it though. Only a brave man would attempt to count the amount of Countries/Cities mentioned on this tune !!! Next up we got “Change”. This is probably the deepest tune I’ve heard in a while, Naughty Boy’s productions are actually sick ! Bashy must have cried on the page when writing on this one !!

“Copy Cat” can boast itself to be one of the CD’s best tunes. Bashy absolutly kills it !! I would love to see a video for this one. “OH MY GOSHH” - still floating about in my brain !! “Ransom” is cleverly constructed, it’s basically a script rolled into some rhymes, but it all sounds a little too “forced”. “Living My Dream” is another deep one, not as deep as “Change” but gets the meassge across all the same. Sirach Charles’ vocals on the chorus are smoooth ! “Life” is definatly not one of my favourite tunes. The vocals don’t really go with Toddla T’s yet again head hurting beat, although Bashy’s long going flow saves it a little bit along with the noice hook.

“Your Wish Is My Command” is actually a banger, I think Myx Quest’s beat is sampled form an 80’s tune, not 100% though. H-Boogie’s vocals on the chorus are absolutly superb and Bashy does well to saty ahead of his guest on this track !!! “We Can Do Anything” has been a favourite of mine for a very long time and this version feature UK pop-sensation Jamelia (Please, please do a video, just so I can see her ). The tune is emotional, yet, comes with a positive and happy vibe. “Sorry” didn’t realy get too much play . I’m like a lost little child after hearing this. Then switching on “Slags” and various other semi-degrading taunts towards Women. It’s a nice little tune noe the less, just very much not a legacy setter.

“What About Me” is quite deep. I’m sure I recognise the beat from somewhere but all the same, Bashy spills his thoughts all over it. “Day Before I Die” is one to be skipped to be honest. The chorus is frankly embaressing when you consider all the other bits we’ve seen on the album so far. Bashy does try hard to save it, but, I couldn;t get into it…

The bonus tracks. Well…”Kidulthood 2 Adulthood” made the UK’s top 100. Unreal. The Maniac production is pukka, the way Bashy keeps up with the beat is amazing and the fact this song charted is PHENOMENAL. “Black Boys” is that tune. The one you have on repeat. It’s gonna be around for years. And let me just add, as a white guy, the tune ain’t racist. Come off that talk !!!

This CD is not one to be slept on. Rating wise….tough one…it’s gott be a 4/5 for me !

Peace

Skepta – Microphone Champion

June 1st !!

01 – Reflecting,
02 – Are You Ready ?
03 – Oh My Gosh
04 – Look Out ft Giggs
05 – Sticks and Stones
06 – Too Many Man ft Boy Better Know
07 – Lush ft Jay Sean
08 – My Emotions
09 – Skepta
10 – Amsterdam Skit
11 – Disguise
12 – Gingerbread Man
13 – Ed Hardy Party ft Tinchy Stryder
14 – Madness ft Dubz and Paper Pablo
15 – Over The Top
16 – Dark ft Trigga

BONUS TRACKS

17 – Sunglasses at Night
18 – Rolex Sweep

I’ve wrote two articles regarding forthcoming albums recently, both of which coming from pillar-artists of the grime scene. So I sense it to be my duty to write about this one as well. Another pinnacle of the Grime scene, Skepta has been in deep from every aspect. Whether it was spinning decks as DJ Off-Key, producing classics like “DTI” & “Private Caller” or trying to hit the mainstream with chart-friendly tunes like “Rolex Sweep” and “Sunglasses At Night”, Skepta’s name has been on everyone’s lips, from North London goons, to writers at the Independent.

The album itself is to be released on the 1st of June, the same day as Wiley’s “Race Against Time” & Bashy’s “Catch Me If You Can”. Initially, I was insistent that Eskiboy’s would be the very 1st I picked up. But after a considerable amount of pondering, combined with potential this CD boasts, I think my mind has been swayed.

One thing that immediatly grabs my attention: the features. Included guests are Jay Sean, Tinchy Stryder, Giggs, Dubz, Paper Pablo & Trigga. Something tells me that versatility will be something this album shouts. Smooth Jay Sean vocals, intense Trigga hooks, hard-hitting deliveries from Giggs and Dubz plus Tinchy & Pablo verses make for intriguing listening, especially on some more “Grimier” beats then what we’ve seen of recent times.

The bonus tracks are a bit of a let down really, nobody wants to hear Rolex Sweep in 2009 and the inclusion of a skit is just a ploy to make the tracklisting look slightly bigger. But all in all, the CD looks to be one of 2009’s most promising so far.

Pre-order here: UK Record Shop

Peace.

Wiley – Race Against Time

Too simple ? Or just effecitve ?

Waiting for the dust to settle after dropping grime-abandoned album “See Clear Now”, Wiley made the announcement that come the 1st of July, we would be holding in our hands, a very much 99% Grime album. With the exception of Summer anthem “She’s Glowing” of course. So, here be the proposed tracklisitng given to us by play.com

Race Against Time Tracklisting

01. She’s Glowing

02. Livin’ It Up

03. Eyes Of The Lord

04. Hummer Activity Freestyle

05. Off The Radar

06. The Olly

07. I Was Like You

08. Race Against Time

09. Too Many Man

10. Where’s My Brother

11. Out Of The Game

12. Bang

13. Zip It Up (W/ Giggs & Trigger)

14. Average Worker

15. Time Flies By

16. Music I Like

After seeing this, I felt a little stung. Despite not having this CD yet, the effects of being ripped off still lingered amongst me. We have a 16 track album here, 11 of the tracks, I’ve got sitting on my hard drive. A problem, which even the biggest Wiley fan cannot  ignore. “Where’s My Brother”, as much a masterpiece as it is, has been battered by every Dj and listener since it’s emergence in mid 2008. Much like “Out Of The Game”, “Off The Radar” & “Hummer Activity.” Maybe a fault of my own production for playing these tunes on repeat, but, was I at fault for expecting something new from Wiley ? “See Clear Now” did provide something new in the form of different genres, but even then, “Wearing My Rolex”, “Cash In My Pocket” & “Summertime” had quenched most peoples thirst. Am I wrong here ? Are you still looking forward to Race Against Time ? Vote Below or Leave a comment. Peace.

Lee’s edit: I would also like to add, as we all thought this was a grime album as Frankz stated, why on earth is ‘Livin It Up’ on here? The fact he gave it away for free download on his MySpace makes me feel that he should of left that off for sure. I don’t mind the inclusion of Too Many Man, but I definately feel that ‘Livin It Up’ and ‘Shes Glowing’ shouldn’t be on there. At least make it the remix anyways. I also liked that ‘Hello People’ tune he had on MySpace with Kano and Ice Kid. it wasn’t the grimest tune, but was better than some of this other stuff. I hope that this is simply ‘Play’ tryna jump the gun and take a guess.