This new double CD from those trusty guys at Soul Jazz Records charts the history of the MC in the UK, all the way from 1983 up to present day. Most of the key players are included, and all the key styles featured, with perhaps a slight over-leaning on the ragga side of things (although understandable given the fact that MCing originates from the Jamaican “toasting” style where reggae DJs would chat rhythmically over their records.
YT kicks us off with a historical tour of some of England’s most influential MCs, before Suncycle drop in with their infectious party jam ‘Somebody’, utilising that classic African rhythm that’s been plundered far and wide. The pinnacle of UK hip-hop is represented by Ty & Roots Manuva on the classic ‘So You Want More?’ refix, with the genre’s heritage boldly displayed on London Posse’s skanking ‘Money Mad’ (featuring an early but no less confident Rodney P). Drum ‘n’ bass gets a nod with Jakes’ West Country flow on TC’s rowdy ‘Deep’, and with Skibadee pulling of a seriously convincing hip-hop flow on the lively Crissy Criss produced ‘Tika Toc’, with more rave revelations on Jah Skreechy’s ‘Walk and Skank’ shedding some light on the SL2’s ‘On A Ragga Tip’, and the masterful Top Cat’s infamous’ ‘Mi Love Ses’ chat bringing back memories of DnB raves thick and fast.
Current toast of the dubstep/dancehall scene Warrior Queen chats her invigorating style on The Heatwaves ‘Things Change’, clearly showing why she’s so in demand at the moment, with Stush repping female ragga-style MCs equally well on the bottom-heavy ‘Dollar Sign’. General Levy’s rapid chat on the infectious ‘Champagne Body’ from back in 1993 points a finger towards the emerging fast-chat style of jungle MCing that was emerging during that period, and Navigator (best known for his DnB MCing) shows his fine lyrical flow on Freestylers’ pumping ‘Ruffneck’.
Tracks like Papa Levi’s ‘My God My King’ and Tippa Irie’s ‘Complain Neighbour’ may appear pretty unremarkable, but these artists are widely accepted as some of the most important in terms of the formation of MC culture in the UK.
There are a few weak moments which don’t really quite seem to merit inclusion on such a historical document – Tenor Fly’s ‘Bump & Grind’ is a bit of a throwaway, sampling Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band’s ‘Express Yourself’ a la N.W.A. but just seeming rather pointless after the Compton dons did such a tasteful job with it, and Riko’s ‘Ice Rink Riddim’ is not one of the more exciting examples of grime that could have featured here (especially as it’s the only grime track on the CD). And why Este’lle & Joni Rewind’s version of ‘Uptown Top Rankin’’ rather than Althea & Donna’s classic original? Licensing limitations perhaps…
A worth purchase undoubtedly with a dash of everything, but not so evenly distributed. A touch more hip-hop would have balanced things out a bit more – some Jehst, Klasshnekof – or some classier grime – Dizzee, Wiley – would have made this a slightly more comprehensive affair. Nonetheless, the bones are here and it’s a very enjoyable listen for the most part.
Check out our interview with Gabriel from Heatwave, who helped to put this compilation together:
http://www.datatransmission.co.uk/viewfeatures.aspx?featureID=52
Tracklisting
Disc: 1
1. England Story - YT
2. Somebody - Suncycle
3. Gotta Man - Doctor & Davinchie
4. So U Want More - Ty & Roots Manuva
5. My God My King - Papa Levi
6. Bump And Grind - Tenor Fly
7. Tika Toc - Skibadee
8. Ice Rink Riddim - Riko
9. Deep - Jakes & TC
10. Walk And Skank - Jah Screechie
11. Love Mi Ses - Top Cat
Disc: 2
1. Tings Change - Warrior Queen & The Heatwave
2. Fashion Magazine - Glamma Kid
3. Champagne Body - General Levy
4. Money Mad - London Posse
5. Ruffneck - Navigator & Freestylers
6. Dollar Sign - Stush
7. Ready She Ready - Tubby T
8. Red Letters - Blak Twang
9. Uptown Top Rankin' - Est'elle & Joni Rewind
10. Complain Neighbour - Tippa Irie