Time is Tight

I get concerned sometimes about the overwhelming 'whiteness' of this blog. I mean looking back through history (and through my record collection) it's always been black musicians who've led the way; inventing all the new & exciting musical forms which have usually then been quickly jumped on by white folk who've sold millions of records to the mass market. This happened to Jazz; R&B, Techno, House... even soul music to an extent. I can't be certain, but I have a terrible feeling that Michael Bolton may have sold more records than Marvin Gaye.

So where are the black musicians now? Obviously there are exceptions, but my record collection seems to be getting whiter and whiter. Is it me? Or is it the all conquering hold that hip-hop seems to have on black America? In the early days, the Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy, Run DMC and hundreds of others seemed to have either something to say or at least a new and interesting way of saying it. Now i'm afraid to say that most hip-hop leaves me cold. I just find it hard to relate... or more importantly to care... about tales of Lexus', Guns & Ho's. I was never one of these suburban kids who seem to think they live in South Central LA.

So I feel a bit strange that when I do cover hip-hop it tends to have an unmistakably white flavour. Maybe it's just that I can't handle the real stuff, and I need people like Plan B, Shadow or Diplo to water shit down for my ears. Whatever the reason, here's some more honky hip-hop, courtesy of a great album by Canadian MC Abdominal.

I first heard about him when he guested on several tracks by Brighton's DJ Format - notably this one, 'The Hit Song'; but also the brilliant 'Ill Culinary Behaviour'.



Now branching out on his own, Abdominal's debut 'Escape From the Pigeon Hole' shows off his dazzling MC skills perfectly... track after track of head nodding b-boy hits filled with lyrical dexterity and catchy hooks.



This first track is a love poem to his home town of Toronto. I'm not sure it was commissioned by the Canadian tourist board, but it sure does make Toronto sounds an appealing place to visit. If Abdominal doesn't make it in music, a career on an open bus tour surely awaits.

ABDOMINAL - T-ODE

Next track reminds me of those 'grumpy old men' TV programmes. But let's face it we all like a good moan from time to time, and among other targets Abdominal has correctly identified people who stand on the left side of the escalator as worthy of a good kicking.

ABDOMINAL - WALK LEFT / STAND RIGHT

So I can't pretend to know much about hip-hop, but I quite like this as well. I've no idea what they're on about, but the it's a party on plastic. A twisted oriental sample, and frantic rapping by the likes of Ghostface Killah & Spank Rock. Sounds like a hit to me. Especially since the single also comes backed with a great Hot Chip remix.



PLASTIC LITTLE - CRAMBODIA


Finally, check out the mad skills....