Wiley Starts Another "Grime Wave" With Flowdan, Bless Beats +More - Album Review

Grime Wave isn't Wiley's forthcoming new album, Race Against Time (coming in September '08). Rather, it's a compilation of b-sides and collaborations released on Wiley's indie label, Eskibeat Recordings. If you've only heard the tunes on 2007's Playtime Is Over, then Grime Wave rounds out Eskiboy's life story. Grime (like dancehall) is a collective consciousness and Wiley shares the mic with Roll Deep heavyweights Flowdan and Brazen, Boy Better Know MCs, Tinchy Stryder and Frisco, plus Messy, Desperado, Jookie Mundo and Cookie. Together, they describe the latest news, dramas, beef and wha' gwa'an pon di street in London town. The music is hyper, like crunk on 78rpm, but the MCs are laid-back and confident like kings. Take "Badman Talking" with Flowdan as an example. Originally released as the B-side to Wiley's proud anthem "50/50," the 2 songs together were the basis of the most beautiful production ever devoted to a grime video:


"50/50" and "Badman Talking." Let it load and skip ahead to 2:15 (you can always listen to it again from the beginning):

(I like the hyphy vibe to the visuals in that vid...) In his most Presidential voice, Wiley declares, "Badmen are talking, so boy ya better keep on walking," and sure enough, if anyone saw Wiley, Flowdan and Brazen in private conversation, they'd likely step wide.

Half of the production on this album is by Wiley himself with most other tracks by Bless Beats (producer of "Wearing My Rolex" and a few songs on Playtime...). The production quality of this album really stands out on headphones (especially the Bless Beats cuts), which makes it a grand soundtrack for traveling/commuting. The voices bounce from left ear to right, while the bass is smooth. The beats compliment the sounds of the city, from trains to footsteps, rubber to steel. Let me tell ya, you listen to Grime Wave on the train, on your way to work - no matter what you do for bread - you're going to feel like a Pro Hustla. You'll feel Presidential. It's a soundtrack for running things, not for compromising. My favorite tunes with that attitude in mind are "Living In London" featuring Tinchy Stryder, "Fire Ain't Burning No More" and, of course, "Badman Talking" again.

"Living In London" (unfortunately without the sweet stereo effects):

The consistently energetic beats might also make it a good workout mix, especially kickboxing, muay thai, etc. Don't get me wrong: the vibe on this album is competitive, not aggressive. It's macho, but not in a way that degrades females. While there aren't many females in the grime game, and none on this album, the ladies who do step up to the mic spit just as fierce and often with similar styles as the men. A competitive spirit can be healthy and I hope peeps don't shy away from grime because of misinterpreting the energy behind the flow.

If indeed you just don't like the rapid-fire, militant rapping that's characteristic of this genre, you might enjoy "Sky Is Falling". Considered to be the one weak spot on the album by grime fans, the R&B flavoured "Sky Is Falling" featuring Jookie Mundo has been flamed on all the forums as a truly dreadful track. Normally I would suggest not downloading this track (if you buy individual tracks). But perhaps it just doesn't fit on this release. It's possible that "Sky Is Falling" was simply marketed to the wrong crowd and that other music fans would benefit from the song's existence. So don't fret, Jookie; maybe give Sean Kingston a ring.

There are two songs on Grime Wave not produced by Wiley nor Bless Beats; "Grime Kid" was produced by Maniac, and "Sky Is Falling" by D-Minus. As Wiley made clear when he "retired" from the grime game, he's spending more time in the studio than on the streets now. In addition to producing more music, he's also fostering a space for the next wave of grime kids to develop their skills and benefit from the godfather of grime's experiences in the biz. Maniac produced "Bow E3" — the huge single off Playtime Is Over — at the age of 16. It, like "Grime Kid," takes fierce pride in the East London neighborhood that Wiley and Maniac both call home and the grime scene it spawned.

"Grime Kid" audio:

Note how Wiley shouts out to Maniac almost right away: another trait shared with dancehall music (just listen for the name Baby G at the beginning of all the killer dancehall riddims lately).

Most of Grime Wave is excellent and I highly recommend it for grime fans. If you only buy one killer grime album a year, though, this isn't it. At least hold out to hear Wiley's forthcoming LP Race Against Time. But for those who want some choice selections to tide over until September, or any rising hustla in need of motivational music, or anyone who likes fresh tunes to throw into the workout mix, Grime Wave is top ranking.

Tracklist with links to audio on youtube:

1. "Grime Wave" (feat. Messy & Desperado) (produced by Bless Beats)
2. "Local Lad" (produced by Bless Beats)
3. "If You're Going Out I'm Going Out Too" (produced by Wiley)
4. "Grime Kid" (produced by Maniac)
5. "It's a Par" (feat. Flo Dan, Tinchy Stryder & Messy) (produced by Wiley)
6. "Badman Talking" (feat. Flo Dan) (produced by Wiley)
7. "Where You Gonna Run To?" (produced by Wiley)
8. "Anything Is Possible" (feat. Frisco & Cookie) (produced by Bless Beats)
9. "Living In London" (feat. Tinchy Stryder & Messy) (produced by Bless Beats)
10. "Fire Ain't Burning No More" (produced by Wiley)
11. "Sky Is Falling" (feat. Jookie Mundo) (produced by D-Minus)
12. "It's Only Right" (feat. Flo Dan & Brazen) (produced by Wiley)