Music
20 Mar 01

Break The Lock

Once in a while an album comes along that makes critics frantically proclaim it as the new this or the next that or the record that will do this, that of the other for the scene. This isn't one of those albums. But it should be.

Released on the reliable Big Dada label, this is Ty's first long player,

but, he's been knocking round the UK hip-hop scene for more than a few days now.

So Ty ain't exactly your fly-by-night bandwagon jumper. For a debut work, this is amazingly accomplished.

Bragging about the Cristal and the ho's and the Bentleys this isn't. Instead we're offered a near-perfect take on contemporary hip-hop with soul (and I mean real soul - the ghost of Marvin is in the house).

'Hercules' is a revelation, a practically beatless tale of bullying that turns the tables with the power of words. 'The Tale' is tounge-in-cheek braggadoccio, while the African-tinged 'Zaibo' and 'Move' could rock any block party.

Collaborators include Shortee Blitz and DJ Pogo but it's Ty's calm, masterful delivery that makes this record special. The first single, 'Break The Lock', buried near the end, hits the nail on the head: "Break the lock if the doors aren't open" practically sums things up.

This is an intelligent, funny, thought-provoking album that deserves

more column inches and sales then its likely to get.