Friday, 30 November 2007

What I'm listening to...

Posted by Tom Gutteridge at 05:55

Inspired by fellow Blogger Will H over at The Cold Cut, I've decided to post a little "mood mix" bout how I'm currently feeling about life in general. To be honest, it's gotten to a stage in term where everyone is fed up and ready to go home and sleep for 2 weeks. Seriously. Have a listen-tell me what you think


T.O.K-Live It Up

Another Confessions Riddim classic, and an anti-war anthem, by dancehall masters T.O.K. Amazing vocals, amazing tune.



Gentleman-Can't Hold Us Down ft. Barrington Levy & Daddy Rings

From his 2004 smash Confidence, an amazing track with one of the best intro's courtesy of legend Barrington Levy. Just got the album, and I suggest you do the same.



Smash Mechanics-Soul Wired

Remember the Smash Mechanics? Well, you probably have never heard of them, unless you read this blog-check out the older post about their album Canon Law. This tune is a banger, with a great beat. This is one tune you need to hear from their debut. Oh, and I really need to know what you think about this track, so COMMENT!



Chris Brown-Kiss Kiss ft. T-Pain

Another chart topper, featuring Southern rapper/producer T-Pain, from Chris Brown's new album Exclusive. The video is amazing as well



Moby-Guitar Flute & String

Chilled track from the master. Amazing guitar riffs, and one of the most relaxed songs I've ever heard. Beautiful.


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Thursday, 15 November 2007

Jay-Z-American Gangster

Posted by Tom Gutteridge at 03:20




A concept album. Defined by many by the band Pink Floyd, in their release in 1973 of "Dark Side of The Moon". Since then, however, the idea of a concept album has fallen from grace in the modern music world. With the release of "American Gangster" by Jay-Z, the idea of a concept album has been given the proverbial "shot in the arm".





After the (relative) crap that was "Kingdom Come", Jay-Z needed a blockbuster, an album like "Blueprint" that would raise the bar for the rap game. He needed a hard-hitting album that saw a return to style, with crisp production and Jay-Z's trademark flow. Any artist that composes lyrics without a pen and a paper is nothing short of amazing, and if you don't believe me, watch the documentary Fade To Black. It'll humble you.





Well, back to the album. Jay has stated that every song fits a certain scene in the film American Gangster, directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. The album does fit with the film, with the gritty nature of Jay's lyrics complementing perfectly the storyline of this crime drama.





Jay-Z has enlisted an all-star cast of The Neptunes, Diddy's Hitmen, DJ Toomp, Kanye West's mentor No I.D., and Just Blaze. Haven't heard the singles yet? Well Blue Magic was the first one released on September 20, 2007 and peaked at 52 on Billboard Hot 100. The second single Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)... was released on October 10, 2007, peaking at 64 on Billboard Hot 100. Check these tracks out, especially Blue Magic, produced by The Neptunes has one of the greatest beats on a Jay-Z album for a while-the rolling drum sounds amazing.

So see the film, and buy the album. Hell, buy 'em both if you want. It does mark a return to form of one of the best rappers in the world. You could get lost in this album, with the slick rhymes and fat rhythms. Posting two of the best tracks-so tell me what you think...and sorry for the delay in posting.

Jay-Z-No Hook

Jay-Z-American Dreamin'


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Wednesday, 7 November 2007

Shaggy-Intoxication

Posted by Tom Gutteridge at 02:50


We all remember Shaggy from his 2000 album Hot Shot, featuring the two massive singles "It Wasn't Me" and the crooning "Angel". This was the album for 2000, and eventually ended up in the number one position on Billboard Hot 100. It is also one of the best selling "reggae" albums of all time.


Hard-core fans will also remember his earlier hit "Boombastic" in 1995. But since Hot Shot, none of his other album releases have had the same sucess. I wish that I could say his new album was a bona-fide hit, with every track a sucess. But I can't.
The album does shine in a few places, but there aren't any songs that really grab me. A few are worth buying as singles , such as "Bonafide Girl" featuring Rik Rok and Tony Gold. It's catchy and Rik Rok, a frequent collaborator, shines. Shaggy's vocals on this track are catchy, and a return to his Shabba Ranks-like flow. Another sucessful track "Mad Mad World" features the unlikely collaboration of Collie Buddz and Sizzla Kalonji. It works, and shows Shaggy's lyrics at their best. The two guest artist are effective, and help to expand the track.
I can't really say much about this album. Shaggy is trying to mix his former ragga style (as found on Boombastic) with his more pop-orientated material (as found on Hot Shot), and it doesn't really work. It's not a bass-heavy dancehall, or a soft pop album. When I first listened to it, I found myself continously wishing it going to be the same relaxed style as found on Hot Shot.
In some places, like the rather abysmal "All About Love", Shaggy even tries to do a roots song, in the style of I-Wayne or Sizzla, but it just becomes repetitive. It falls through both the niches it is trying to fill, and is not the cross-over album it is trying to be. The production is too hectic, showing that Shaggy is trying to appeal to everyone, and failing miserably. It is too electic and is a waste of time and money.
I will upload the two sucessful tracks, and tell me what you think:


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Thursday, 1 November 2007

Gentleman-Another Intensity

Posted by Tom Gutteridge at 03:16


Gentleman (born Tilmann Otto) is one of the more obscure stories in reggae today. Although originally born in Germany, he names Jamaica as his second home. However, it's more unusual that as a white man, he is a popular reggae artist in Jamaica itself, which is generally unheard of, as music there is very black-dominated.
Although he released his first album in 1999, it wasn't until this year that I seriously began listening to this German roots reggae artist. I was blown away. On the suggestion of a friend, I bought his excellent live album Gentleman And The Far East Band, a 2-Disc album recorded in Gentleman's hometown Cologne. Gentleman's vocals soar above the brilliant backing of The Far East Band, brilliantly demonstrated on tracks like "Jah Jah Never Fail" and "Love Chant", which I will upload, for your listening pleasure. Anyway, on this basis, I knew his newest album Another Intensity would at least be worth a listen.
And I was right. This, to me, is by far one of the best reggae albums of recent times. Although it is slightly more soft than some other releases, it marks a return to the popular "roots" reggae, based around live instrumentation rather than the current "riddim" based dancehall that is more popular. A few songs really grabbed me on this release especially "Lack of Love" featuring the prolific Sizzla Kalonji. This track is definately the best song on the album, and shines above the first single released "Different Places". I also enjoyed the track "Celebration" featuring Italian newcomer Alborosie, this track shows the up-and-coming European reggae scene, of which Italy is a big part due to the popularity of reggae there. Hopefully we will see more of this artist in the years to come.
So listen to the tracks, and buy the album.


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