Distant Relatives

Got this on Monday and have rinsed it since.

BUY THE ALBUM AT HMV HERE

The bass-heavy Marley production is perfect as the sun shows itself. On tracks like Land Of Promise there is a healthy dose of politics but classic sounding hooks to back up the message.

Patience takes Amadou and Mariam’s Damon Albarn produced Sabali (which was one of the first things I blogged on here) and turns it into a jerking brooding trip-hop beat. Damian turns in some gorgeous verses before Nas contemplates the world:

“Who wrote the bible?/ Who wrote the Qur’an?/ And was it a lighting star/ that gave birth to the earth/ and then dinosaurs were born.”

As much as I love Nasty Nas his recent albums haven’t measured up against classics like Illmatic. His last ‘N’ album was especially poor. But here verses are used sparingly and the rapper is more focused- thanks to both the topics he tackles and his collaborator Damian.

God knows why Joss Stone features but elsewhere both K’Naan and Lil Wayne turn in decent work.

It sounds to me like one of the best albums of 2010 and I’m already hoping they make another LP together.

LISTEN TO THE RECORD ON SPOTIFY HERE

Badu & Weezy

This has been about for a few weeks I think. The beat reminds me of some old school Organized Noize produced Outkast tracks. And it features a typically twisting, nonsensical verse from Weezy. Looking forward to the album which is released at the end of March and features production from ?uestlove, Madlib and J Dilla.

Weezy Baby

Check out my review of Lil Wayne @ Hammersmith Apollo this week here
Below is one the best tracks from Tha Carter III and a highlight from the other night. If you don't know Weezy then don't be fooled by the sexual posturing of Lollipop- he's fucking brilliant.

Lil Wayne- Prom Queen

Still not sure about Weezy singing. But I will have to get used to it with his rock album coming soon. If Universal will release it! One things for sure- those glasses really suit him.

Guess Chad and Pharrell have done it again...

The Neptunes’ first phase- from Kelis’s early work and tracks for Jay Z to the pop of Justin and Britney- dominated radio and the charts. Hence it was ripped off left, right and centre. Despite writing Milkshake and standout tracks for Gwen Stefani, Lupe and Clipse there was a dip in quality around 2004 to 2006.

It’s no surprise that Chad and Pharrell (now both in their mid 30s) have switched their sound up or that it has worked. Now they seem to be using more electronic European sounds in their sort-after beats. Certainly Common’s most recent work and much of Madonna’s Hard Candy include lots of beats and bleeps. Spazzz was pretty much a drum and bass track.

Lil Wayne ft Pharrell- Yes

On this Lil’ Wayne song (presumably for one of his Carter projects) Pharrell takes influence from another British scene- dubstep. A genuinely innovative genre. Williams will tell anyone who will listen about his love for Bristol. On this evidence he hit some clubs in the bass loving city the last time he was over.