New site

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Thursday 29 August 2013

Throwback Thursday: Black Sabbath - Paranoid

Apologies for the lack of action last week, sadly writing hasn’t been on top of my list of priorities lately. But I will now try and pay you back now by bringing you a fantastic record.

I am a HUGE Black Sabbath fan, I think they are the most underrated band of all time and without doubt one of the greatest bands of all time. They damn near created an entire genre of music by themselves!
I love this record because this is the 1st Sabbath record that I ever heard and once I’d heard it I just wanted to listen to it again and again. As a kid that riff just grabbed me, what a noise!

The track itself is taken from what was until this year the bands only ever number 1 album ‘Paranoid’ released in 1970. But it wasn’t even planned to be on the album at all. The story goes that there was 3 minutes or so of empty space on the recording so the band were asked to go and write something to fill the gap, and the result was the most popular Sabbath track of all time. 
Like much of Sabbath’s material it was in the main written by Geezer Butler and is about depression; in illness he says he had experience of, and if you really listen to the lyrics that really hits home.

It was ranked 250 in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time and frankly it is just an amazing record. And here it is: Black Sabbath with Paranoid.

Tuesday 27 August 2013

NEW MUSIC!!!! Eminem - Berzerk

The biggest news to come out of the VMA’s (No Miley) was that Eminem announced that he had a new single on the way and that his new album Marshall Mathers LP 2 would be out on 5th November. The announcement came in the form of a new Beats by Dre advert with a snippet of the new single ‘Berzerk.’

The new album will be executive produced by Dr Dre and Rick Rubin, now if you have any knowledge of hip hop at all you will know that this is huge.
So the song itself… its produced by Rick Rubin, samples Billy Squire’s ‘The Stroke’ and gives more than a nod to rap pioneers Beastie Boys, who were of course also produced by Rubin. The track like the title suggests is berserk, its scatter gun, its schizophrenic and it will definitely get stuck in your head. It’s a classic Eminem style single, not pure, straight hip hop but it will get on the radio and will stuck in your head. As always if you want to hear Em at his best you will have to wait until the album drops. This is nothing new.

I’m a huge Eminem fan and even I’ve had to give it a few listens but it’s starting to grow on me.  It’s not going to reinvent the hip hop wheel but it’s not supposed to. It gets on the radio, it gets in your head, and it hypes the album…job done.
 
 

Tuesday 20 August 2013

For No Real Reason Part 2: So Solid Crew - 21 Seconds

If you are my age this track will bring back so many memories. Some of those memories will be of listening to this tune over and over again until you know all the words.

This will provide a trip down memory lane for so many. It came out in 2001, it went straight to number 1 and for a brief moment that summer this was the shit.
It’s not the best song ever, hell it’s not even the best song that came out that year, but the memories that will come back with this track will mean more than the song ever did.

Saturday 17 August 2013

Season Preview: West Bromwich Albion

I’m going to start this preview with a fans eye view of the new season. You’ll have to excuse the paraphrasing here but these are the basic points. ‘Mulumbu signing a new contract is a big plus; the strengthening of the squad has been good, if Anelka has his heart in it he will be a brilliant signing. There is a good mix of youth and experience although squad depth will always be a problem because of finances. Would settle for mid-table and a good cup run would be a good season, but 40 points will be the first target.’ 

The above was brought to you by Pete Rought, lifelong Albion fan.
First off I have to say that I would agree with a lot of that. Last season really was a good season; they stayed in the Premier League with ease spending a good portion of the season in the top of half of the league.

The main task over the summer has been to replace the goals and sheer presence of Romelu Lukaku. I saw him a couple of times last season in the flesh and what a fantastic player he is, Chelsea really have got a special one there. But I don’t think they will do too bad without him, as Albion have made some very good signings. The arrival of proven goal scorer Nicolas Anelka on a free is a good piece of business, getting the young but talented Matej Vydra on loan will give the attack another dimension. There has also been a tightening up at the back with the signing of Diego Lugano from PSG.  Manager Steve Clarke also confirmed last week that the club are also still in talks with Manchester City about winger Scott Sinclair, who should he make the move to the Hawthorns would add some much needed pace if nothing else into the side.
Another big positive which has been overlooked is what I’m going to call ‘The Steve Clarke effect.’ Albion as a club may not have massive finances to compete with the big boys but it seems that the reputation of Clarke has been a massive boost. Although he has only season under his belt as a head coach his reputation is clearly playing a big part in attracting players to the Black Country. I don’t think it is a coincidence that Anelka who worked with Clarke at Chelsea has arrived but new loan signing Vydra has publicly stated that he signed with Albion because of Clarke. He sang his praises as one of the best coaches in Europe and revealed that he spoke with Gianfranco Zola who recommended that he move to West Brom to work with Clarke. This might not seem like anything ground-breaking but I think that it is these small advantages that could make the difference for a club of Albion’s size.

Although they will no doubt have higher aspirations it will important for the club not to take survival in the Premier League for granted, as this has been the downfall of many a club before them. So the first aim should be to get to that magical 40 point mark. But I think they will easily be safe as Clarke is building a decent squad who over time will move steadily up the table. They have a solid defence and a decent midfield and a couple of strikers who know where the net is. The squad isn’t the biggest so steering clear of injuries will be key, but expect young players like the highly rated George Thorne to make a few more appearances. A mid-table finish and a good run in one of the cups will be a good season and I see no reason why this can’t be achieved.
Verdict: 11th

Friday 16 August 2013

Season Preview: Stoke City

This season is going to be a season of change for those at Stoke City. For the first time since 2005 they will be starting a season without Tony Pulis, and there is a great deal of uncertainty in the air at the Britannia.

I think that it’s only right that I am totally honest from the off here, you know those people who were critical of Stoke? Their style of play, and Tony Pulis? Yeah I was one of those people. Yes he got them into the Premier League and kept them there, but his tenure was also blighted by a lack of ambition and one of the worst styles of football to appear in the top fight for many a year. And by the end of last season they were frankly a poor team that had been poorly managed.
What the media normally failed to mention when talking about Stoke last season, was that there has been some serious money spent there over the last few years. Check this list out.

Crouch £10-12 million
Jones £8 million
Adam £4 million
Palacios £6 million

And although the likes of Woodgate, Owen and Upson were signed for free, there wages were quite substantial, and to add insult to injury especially with Owen he barely played.

So after all that they have a new manager in the shape of Mark Hughes and he is tasked with bringing some new life to what had become a pretty stale squad, and to improve the style of play. But I have to say that I have my doubts as to whether his appointment will have the desired effect. When Hughes did his best work at Blackburn he built the team on a solid foundation sprinkled with the odd bit of attacking talent on top in the form of Bellamy, Bentley and Pederson. But this time around I just don’t think that he has the players.
The only two signings that they will start the season with are Marc Muniesa and Erik Peters; both of which are defenders. The only other signing that they have made is a striker from the MLS called Juan Agudelo who is not arriving until January and is totally unproven at the top level.

This season Stoke really need to progress and try and move forward because they were almost dragged into the serious end of the relegation fight last season and without serious improvement they will be down there again. And with the signings that have been made coupled with a new manager who is trying to change the style of the club and quite a mediocre existing squad I can only see a season of struggle, and I’m not sure that Hughes will see out the season.
If he tries to change the style too quickly there will be a disaster, these things take time. The odd poor result during a transition is expected but poor results during transition could be a nightmare for Stoke. For example, for Everton transition will mean they could finish half way, poor results during transition for Stoke will see them relegated.

I’m sorry Stoke fans but I think it’s going to be a long hard season.  I don’t think your manager will be around by the time we get to May and I think there is a good chance you will get sucked into a relegation fight and lose it. If the Potters do stay up it will be close, but for me personally I believe the trap door beckons.
Verdict: 18th, Hughes sacked by the end of February.

Season Preview: Aston Villa

Whisper it quietly but I think that Aston Villa and their fans have cause to be a little optimistic this season.

At the back end of last season I wrote a piece in a similar vein over at Footyplace outlining why I thought that despite what was at times a bit of a disaster last season the future looked bright. You can check it out here if you feel the need.
http://www.footyplace.com/features/readers-blogs-villa-can-look-to-top-10-and-beyond-0517253752

And I have to say, although it will come as a bit of a shock to a few of you who are a bit sceptical of the journalism profession, but I totally stand by what I said. I think the club have done some good business over the summer and I think a top half finish could be on the cards. That’s not to say it will happen but from where I’m sitting I certainly think it’s possible.
Without even taking the new signings into account it would be pretty reasonable to expect the younger group of players to keep improving. They have now experienced a season in the top flight and they took a good many knocks along the way, and I think they should come out the other side a more battle-hardened group. A great example of this last season was the form of Matthew Lowton. At times in the first half of the season he came in for a lot of criticism about his defensive naivety, but by the end of the year he was consistently one of the clubs best performers was receiving good reviews from all who saw him play. Another player who went under the radar a little bit was Ashley Westwood, who I think proved himself to be a very good midfielder and should his progress continue he could be one of the catalysts to drive this Villa team forward.

But undoubtedly the standout player last term was Christian Benteke. He had a little bit of a shaky start to life at Villa Park showing that he was still a little bit rough around the edges but he quickly settled and proceeded to bang in 23 goals. A one point this summer it had looked like he would be on his way out but he has instead signed a new contract and the fans as well as manager Paul Lambert will be expecting more of the same. However this should not be taken for granted as we have seen that a good spell when joining the Premier League does not automatically mean that the form will continue into a 2nd season. We only have to look at Papiss Cisse and Nikica Jelavić for evidence of this.
As for the new signings, the one I think that should give the fans most cause for optimism is the capture of Jores Okore from F.C. Nordsjælland. He first came to the attention of watching managers last season with a series of fine displays in the group stage of the Champions League for the Danish minnows. In the future this could prove to be a huge signing for the club, Okore is only 20 and in the January transfer window turned down a move to Chelsea. So on paper so far so good. Obviously there are no guarantees that he will be a success but providing he settles he could be a fantastic player over the next few years.

The other new players to come in are again young and on an upward curve although I can’t profess to have a great knowledge of them. Although I understand that Nicklas Helenius and Aleksandar Tonev are quite highly rated, and are expected to have a positive impact this year. And a return of confidence and form to Marc Albrighton, a player who I really like could also be a plus, after a strange season last season.
Of the players going out, I don’t really think that any of them in particular will be missed. Given and Dunne were on the periphery last season and the departure of Bent has been on the cards for some time. Although the club would probably have preferred to see Bent leave on permanent deal instead of a loan, but I have a feeling his wage demands could have been a stumbling block.

So all in all I think the club could be set for a good season and should they steer clear of any major injuries I really do think they could compete for a top half finish. I think that they could still do with signing another central midfielder with a bit of steel as they could be a little vulnerable there especially if they pick up a couple of injuries. But on the whole the future looks bright and even if they haven’t sorted their defensive problems from last season they will at least be fun to watch.
Verdict: 9th

Thursday 15 August 2013

Throwback Thursday: Eminem - Stan

To celebrate the appearance of the new track from Em that emerged last night (http://thesportandmusicblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/new-music-eminem-survival.html) I’m tacking you all the way to 2000 for what I believe to not only be the best song he has ever written but one of the best songs in hip hop, ever. I know that it’s a big call to say that Stan is one of the greatest hip hop songs ever but here is my reasoning.

There are tracks, with better verses, there are tracks which are harder hitting lyrically, but in terms of a ‘song’ that tells a story, a song that makes you feel something I’m not sure that there are many better. The production is 1st rate and I think the record just shows Em at the top of his game creatively, a high that frankly he may never hit again.
Anyway the track samples Dido ‘Thank you’ and is pretty much responsible for launching her career, and she even appears in the video. It peaked at number 3 in both the UK and the US. And even managed to create term used in hip hop slang, a ‘Stan.’

It became a staple of live shows and the most famous performance came at the 2001 Grammy’s when he performed with Elton John at a time when he was getting loads of abuse from gay rights groups and causing controversy all over place, even been seen as a hate figure in some circles.
So here it is….


NEW MUSIC!!!! Eminem - Survival

We have been hearing from various different places that Eminem would have some new material coming this year and finally there are some signs of life. It’s no secret that I’m a massive fan, I honestly think he’s one of the best to ever do it. So I was a little excited but also a little wary when I saw a new track had hit the internet. Excited because it was new music, but wary because I just wanted it to be good. And yes ladies and gentlemen it is very good.

It is actually used on the new Call Of Duty game which is going to come out in November, so it is still unclear as to whether it will appear on a new album, but right now it’s good to have him back.
 
 

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Premier League 2013/14 Season Preview

It’s probably not the done thing but I’m going to start this blog off with a moan. Having to write a season preview while the transfer window is still open and so much can change is a bit of a nightmare. This season is going to be hard enough to predict as it is without me having to preview it without knowing who is going to be playing for who.

Now I’ve got that out of the way let’s get to the football. This season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. We have new managers at Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton. There are new signings aplenty and we’ve got transfer sagas all over the place. But I’m going to start with the defending champions Manchester United.
Here’s something I’ve never typed in a blog… United step into the new season with a new manager, and a great deal of uncertainty surrounding Old Trafford. There haven’t been any major signings, and the main news on the transfer front is that Wayne Rooney apparently wants to leave. My thoughts on this subject are well documented and you can read them here. (http://thesportandmusicblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/why-manchester-united-should-tell-wayne.html) I still think they are a top class central midfielder short, and if I were David Moyes I would break the bank for Modric. I don’t think this season will be the disaster some predict but it will be one of transition, Moyes will need time to settle in and hopefully a few of the youngsters coming through will be given a chance.

The main challengers to United’s crown are going to be Manchester City and Chelsea. Chelsea have the feel good factor back with the return of Mourinho, and on top of that they have a very good squad. They will definitely challenge but personally I think that City are favourites. That’s not exactly a bold statement I know but they have brought well they have a good manager and I really think that they could go all the way.
Next up we have the battle to get into the Champions League, and for me Spurs are in the box seat. They finally have a striker worthy of the name to help Defoe, they have a brilliant manager and have brought incredibly well, Paulinho is a brilliant player and it looks like they are going to keep hold of Bale. But if Madrid offer anything close to the figures reported in the media, then they should rip their hands off. There is no way on this earth Bale is worth close to £80 million. Whisper is quietly but they may even challenge for the title.

Behind them are Arsenal. They really aren’t a bad side but they aren’t brilliant either. They have too many inconsistent performers and as I type this they have signed a grand total of one French teenage striker. Plus I really don’t think that Suarez is the answer, but the problem is that I don’t think there are many other options out there apart from maybe Rooney, but its debateable as to whether he will want to join them.
Now as much as Liverpool annoy me I think they could be on course for a good season and a top four challenge. Brendan Rodgers has one of those faces that you just want to slap but I think he is actually building a decent squad. The summers additions look decent, and Sturridge and Coutinho have the potential to come to the fore. I don’t think the whole Suarez thing will be too much of a distraction, but if he is forced to stay it will be interesting to see what Rodgers does with him.

Elsewhere Everton look set for a season of transition, with a new manager in the shape of Roberto Martinez coming in and trying to implement a new style of play. Moyes was at the club for so long it will inevitably take time for things at the club to settle down and I think they will finish inside the top half but I’m not sure they will be able to challenge for Europe this time around.
At the other end of the table, the promoted teams look set for a struggle but I think at least one of them will survive and I think that will be Cardiff. I like Ian Holloway and I think he is a better manager than he is sometimes given credit for but I think that Palace just don’t have the quality. They are this seasons Reading. Hull much like Palace aren’t blessed with a squad full of amazing players but they have a good manager in the shape of Steve Bruce. He has worked minor miracles at this end of the table before now and I think he will give them a fighting chance but, I can only see it ending in a last day of the season heroic failure.

However as I say the team I think who may stay in the division are Cradiff City. They have splashed the cash and signed some good players, Brayford from Derby is a good player, as are Caulker and Medel. Sadly I can’t claim to know much about new striker Andreas Cornelius but with Malkay Mackay at the helm I think they stand a good chance of defying the drop.
Elsewhere Swansea have assembled a very good squad and I think they could really fight for a European place, but their Europa League campaign this season will be key. I think Aston Villa could surprise a few, they have made some good moves in the transfer market and the young players will continue to improve. Newcastle could hit the ground running now they are free of injuries but on the other hand they could implode. Fulham have so much maverick attacking talent that they will be entertaining if nothing else. I think Norwich have paid over the odds for some of their signings and although I really like Nathan Redmond they may struggle along with Stoke, who I reckon will have sacked new manager by Mark Hughes by Christmas.

The surprise package of the season could well be Sunderland. They have signed a boat load of players and Di Canio has had time to make his mark and there is a real sense of optimism around the club for the first time in years.
I will be doing a season preview in more depth for all of the Midlands teams over the next few days, so keep an eye out for them. But that’s the lot from me for now. At times will hate it, it will drive us mad, it will be a rollercoaster but at 3pm on Saturday we will be thanking God that its back.

Tuesday 13 August 2013

NEW MUSIC!!!! Big Sean feat Kendrick Lamar & Jay Electronica

Kendrick Lamar just put the whole world of hip hop on notice. You just don’t hear verses like this in the rap game anymore. He raps with a purpose, and that purpose is to prove that he is the best out there. He places himself above those he raps with and even those featured on the track, it’s unreal. There are no hooks just verses, just hip hop at its finest.

Oh and Jay Electronica is back, but the poor man has to follow Kendrick on this one… he didn’t stand a chance.

Check this out.

Monday 12 August 2013

Midlands Footballl Weekend Roundup: Week 2

Championship

Leicester City 0-0 Leeds United
Blackburn 0-1 Nottingham Forrest

Brighton and Hove Albion 1-2 Derby County
Yeovil Town 0-1 Birmingham City

After their opening day win playoff hopefuls Leicester welcomed Leeds to the King Power Stadium. Leeds were also coming off the back of a win on the opening day, but neither side managed to find the net on this occasion. The Foxes came closest when Chris Woods strike came back off the post late on, but a scrappy encounter ensured that it won’t live long in the memory.
Following on from 2 wins in league and cup Forrest went into their game against Blackburn full of confidence, and from what I’ve seen so they should.  Some great flowing football was in evidence once more as they eventually overcame Rovers with an injury time effort from Henderson after a mistake from goalkeeper Jake Kean.

2 goals from Chris Martin gave Derby all 3 points away at Brighton as the Rams encouraging start to the season continued. They came back from a goal down to demonstrate why I believe they will be in the playoffs this season. Nigel Clough has built a solid squad and things seem to be moving in the right direction.
Birmingham bounced back from their opening day defeat with a hard fought win against Yeovil. Both sides had numerous chances with Blues ‘keeper Randolph makes a series of fine saves, but they eventually managed to come out on top in quite fortuitous circumstances as one Yeovil player headed the ball into Seaborne and the ball rebounded into the net.

League 1

Colchester United 1-0 Port Vale
Leyton Orient 3-0 Shrewsbury Town

Notts County 2-4 Peterborough United
Oldham 0-1 Walsall

Wolves 4-0 Gillingham
Coventry City 5-4 Bristol City

Port Vale are still searching for their 1st league victory of the season as they went down 1-0 away at Colchester. Colchester had hit the bar in the 1st half and a 2nd half poke home from Gavin Massey ensured they picked up a deserved win.

Shrewsbury were outclassed, as early league leaders Leyton Orient scored 3 to maintain their 100% record. The game was goalless at the break with Orient firmly on top and they made their dominance count racking up 3 goals after the break. On this evidence there is much for Shrewsbury to work on.
After tasting defeat in their opening game Notts County were looking to bounce back with a win against promotion chasing Peterborough. However it wasn’t to be as they were on the end of a fine performance from The Posh, while a series of defensive errors meant only added to County’s woes. They now sit pointless after 2 games.

Walsall notched up their 2nd straight win in the league, with success away at Oldham.  Oldham were always in the game but there was a sense that Walsall always had a little bit extra, Baxendale scored what turned out to be the decisive goal on 25 minutes, showing that maybe last season’s impressive form was no flash in the pan.
Wolves fans could barely believe their eyes on Saturday as they saw their side come out 4-0 winners against Gillingham. In what was their 1st home game back in the 3rd tier just shy of 20,000 turned out and they were rewarded as goals 2 goals from Leigh Griffiths, and one a piece for Evans and Sako saw Wolves run out easy winners.

The game of the weekend was undoubtedly at Coventry’s new ‘home’ Sixfields as they eventually overcame Bristol City 5-4. The Sky Blues were 3-0 up at half time and fully in control, but with 15 minutes to go Bristol had got back on terms and Coventry fans were fearing the worst. But almost immediately Wilson put Coventry back in front only for the Robins to equalise once more. However they were not to be denied as Billy Daniels popped up at the death to grab all 3 points.

League 2

Burton Albion 1-0 Rochdale
Northampton Town 3-1 Newport County

Chesterfield 2-0 Cheltenham Town

Mansfield Town 0-0 Exeter

Burton got their 1st win of the season at home against Rochdale, but perhaps the visitors will feel they didn’t get what they deserved. They played 83 minutes with 10 men and were only beaten by an own goal Oliver Lancashire knocked the ball past his own keeper. It may not have been the most convincing of wins, but they all count.
Northampton showed signs of getting over their playoff hangover with victory at home against newly promoted Newport County. Newport dominated the game but couldn’t take their chances with Northampton keeper Matt Duke putting in a fine performance. Despite being under the cosh for much of the game Northampton took their chances well to get off the mark in the league this term.

Chesterfield looked like the good team that they are as they overcame Cheltenham at the Proact Stadium. Goals on their home debuts from Gary Roberts and Eoin Doyle ensured the Spireites good early season form continued.
1ST I’d like to apologise to Mansfield for missing you out last week. Anyway this weekend they
secured their 1st point back in the football league with a battling performance against Exeter. They rode their luck at times but held on to claim a very welcome point.

Thursday 8 August 2013

Throwback Thursday: Metallica - Nothing Else Matters

Honestly? This week I got lazy. So as good a record as this is, it has absolutely nothing to do with me. This week Throwback Thursday comes to you courtesy of a certain Miss Charlotte Edwards, an interesting girl with an irrational hatred of children’s TV. Let’s put it this way if she ever met Ashley(EDIT....I'm reliably informed that despite my original comment on him, Mr Tumble is in fact quite a nice man and there would be no need to harm him in any way) in person she’d probably punch him in the face.

Anyway, to the song in question. It’s taken from the album Metallica, also known as ‘The Black Album,’ which once sat at the top of the charts in both the UK and the US, in the summer of 91.
The story is that this track was written by frontman James Hetfield while he was on the phone to his girlfriend, with the song being about their relationship.

It was released in spring 1992, and charted at number 6 in the UK. It has since cemented itself as a fan favourite and has become a staple of Metallica live shows. It’s a fantastic record, deeper than you might expect from Metallica if you aren’t a fan, and here it is.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Greatest UK Hip Hop Album Of All Time

Ever since day one hip hop has had an obsession with lists. Back in the day it was who was the best in the Bronx, then the best in New York, best on the East Coast, best on the West Coast until we get to today where no hip hop discussion between fans can end before the ‘Top 5 dead or alive’ topic has been debated to death. This need to rank every artist, every track and every album doesn’t exist in any other genre of music. Rock fans debate whether current bands could their own with the greats but that’s where it ends. They agree to disagree and that’s it life on goes on. But in hip hop the artist is determined to prove they are the ‘best rapper alive’ and the fan is determined to prove them right.

Personally I try and steer clear of this debate, because let’s be honest you are never going to agree. If all a particular fan knows is Lil Wayne, then trying to convince him that Rakim was/is streets ahead is an impossible task. People are suborn.
And yes I am aware of the irony of the last paragraph and the fact that this blog is about to name what I believe to be the greatest hip hop album to come out of the UK. But the reason I’m doing this is because I think that this particular album is so underrated that it’s practically criminal, and as a nation we don’t take enough pride in our rap scene. So my aim here is to partly show that we have some talent over here and that it can go up against the best of New York or California and more than hold its own.

So here we go. In my view the best hip hop album to ever come from these shores is ‘Home Sweet Home’ by Kano. Underrated, under promoted, and underappreciated but undoubtedly a classic.
The album was realised back in June of 2005, and despite its quality it was hardly a summer smash, charting at number 36. 6 singles emerged from the album again none of them really taking radio by storm. (This says a lot more about radio than it does the album) I will now explain why I believe this to a truly classic record and why it’s so underrated.   

What actually makes an album a classic is always a bit of a contentious subject but for me, in general it doesn’t have any ‘skipable’ tracks, it has a song for every mood, the artist makes you ‘buy’ into them as a person with their songs or the concept of the album, and finally the production and the sound has to be on point, and this final point is so relevant in hip hop its untrue. So many good rappers have spent a good portion of their career being undermined by their inability to pick decent beats, and work with the right people. If any of you are familiar with Nas you will know exactly what I’m talking about.
So to the record in question; ‘Home Sweet Home.’ Let’s try and break it down. I don’t hear any ‘skipable’ tracks on this album. What I mean by that is that when listening to an album most of the time even on good records there will be at least a couple of tracks that you will skip. But on a classic like this every track is necessary, every track adds the finished album. Each track flows into the next, adding to the story and adds to the project.

On the album there are loads of different types of songs, each one gives you something a little bit different. ‘Ps and Qs’ makes you feel like you can take on the world. ‘Nite Nite’ makes you think about that girl you’re with or that girl you just broke up from. And then you have the tracks that give you an insight into the artist, and the one on this album that really does that is ‘Sometimes.’ Here we get Kano doubting himself (not a common trait in hip hop) everyday doubts and everyday worries that affect us all. This means we can empathise, because we can all relate to the track. Everyone reading this blog knows what self-doubt feels like.
And finally we come to production. Now this is an area where a lot of UK rap albums fall down. As a nation we have a knack of being able to produce great song writers and lyricists but hip hop producers seem to be a struggle. But that isn’t a problem here, the beats are totally spot on. They don’t sound like they are trying to be grime and they don’t sound like they are from New York. They are what they are, original. ‘I Don’t Know’ samples Back Sabbath for crying out loud!  The beats for ‘Nite Nite’ and ‘Ps and Qs’ are also personal favourites.  

The only problem with this album is that unless you are a hip hop or grime fan you don’t know it exists. The mainstream missed it. And they missed it for one reason; the album was before its time. UK hip hop was still getting its foot in the mainstream door in 05, so as a result mainstream radio missed it, and the album or its singles never got the push they deserved. Today is a different story; UK hip hop is all over the radio with the likes of Professor Green, Tinie Temph and others. If this album came out in 2013 it would be huge. ‘Nite Nite’ is made for radio, the perfect rap single. Kano would be a star.
So there we have it, my number 1 UK rap album of all time. An album that was praised by the likes of Chuck D upon release and an album that slipped totally under the radar. But under the radar it will be no more. The best hip hop album to ever come out of this fine nation, ‘Home Sweet Home.’





 

Monday 5 August 2013

Midlands Football Weekend Roundup

Championship

Birmingham City 0-1 Watford

Middlesbrough 1-2 Leicester City

Nottingham Forrest 1-0 Huddersfield Town

Derby County 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

Birmingham were handed a difficult task on the opening day with Watford the visitor to St Andrews. Having only narrowly missed promotion last season the Hornets go into the season looking to avoid playoff heartbreak this time around. City fielded 8 new players but that was not enough to stop Troy Deeney slotting home with a great right footed finish early on. Blues fought hard and although they couldn’t find an equaliser fans should definitely feel encouraged by the performance.

Over the last couple of season Leicester City have had one of the biggest budgets in the Championship and although they have not really splashed the cash this time around there should be more than enough quality in the squad to be up at the business end again this season, and they got off to a good start away at Middlesbrough. Boro had the better 1st half took a deserved lead only to see Danny Drinkwater hammer home from just outside the area. And the Foxes made sure they took home the spoils with Vardy’s brilliant finish when though on goal.

Forrest fans will just be hoping for some stability this season, and with the quality in the squad they will be hoping to be in the playoff picture once more. After all they weren’t too far away last season, only to seemingly press the self-destruct button by sacking their manager. And they got off to a good start this time around with a brilliant move down the left hand side culminating in a tap in for Landsbury. Huddersfield had chances but Forrest played well and deserved the win.

Derby County are my dark horses for promotion this year, and they enjoyed a solid enough start with a home draw against Blackburn. They took the lead through a Johnny Russell penalty, their new signing was off the mark. But late in the day Rovers substitute Leon Best rescued a point, to take some of the gloss off what was a good opening day performance.

 
League 1

Crawley Town 3-2 Coventry City

Port Vale 1-1 Bretford

Preston North End 0-0 Wolves

Shrewsbury Town 0-0 MK Dons

Sheffield United 2-1 Notts County

Walsall 3-1 Tranmere Rovers

Coventry went into their game with Crawley just happy to be back playing football after receiving a 10 point deduction for their off field problems. But things couldn’t have got off to a worse start as Crawley were 2-0 in 20 minutes. However after a small pitch invasion the Sky Blues got back level terms only to go on and concede once more to give Crawley the points.

Port Vale new boys were handed the difficult task of kicking off their season against many peoples favourites for the division Brentford. And it was the visitors who took a brilliant lead with a fine effort from Shaleum Logan but Vale hit back almost immediately and held on to grab a point.

Wolves began life in the 3rd tier with a tricky away trip to Preston. Wolves have undergone a bit of a makeover with only 2 players starting the game who finished the final game last season. And the young team stuck to their task well and came out with a good point. Wolves will be looking for stability this season and fans will feel that this was a decent start.

Mid-table mediocrity could beckon for Shrewsbury this season and they got off to a low key start against MK Dons. They probably had the best of the game but couldn’t quite apply the finish. 

Notts County got the new season underway on Friday night with a visit up north to face Sheffield United. Best laid plans didn’t last long as County were reduced to 10 with Liddle getting sent off within the 1st 15 minutes. United took the lead and played some good attacking football but County showed some fight as they got back in the game just after half time. But the extra man proved too much in the end as Maguire headed the winner with just over 20 minutes remaining.

 Walsall enter the new season with fresh optimism despite losing top scorer and player of the season Will Grigg over the summer break. The Saddlers enjoyed a very productive season last term and 2 goals from Craig Westcarr ensured that they got off to a good start this time around, with once again the playoffs a realistic target.

 
League 2

Cheltenham Town 2-3 Burton Albion

York City 1-0 Northampton Town

Bury 0-2 Chesterfield

Burton came from 2 goals down to grab a draw away at Cheltenham. New recruit Rory Delap grabbed the equaliser early in the 2nd half. The promotion hopefuls will no doubt be encouraged by their comeback but will need to avoid similar 1st half defensive performances in the coming months.

Last season’s playoff finalists Northampton Town will be looking to go one better this season but the omens aren’t good as none of  the beaten finalists from the last 10 years have come back to gain promotion the following year. And the new season got off to a disappointing start with a 1-0 defeat to York, in which they also had Darren Carter sent off. It wasn’t the best performance but it’s still early days.

Chesterfield go into this season looking to pick up where they left off last season, and they did just that against newly relegated Bury. The home side beset by financial problems and the task of trying to blend a host of new players together simply couldn’t live with the Spireites and on this evidence they look sure to be challenging towards the top of the division come the spring.

Thursday 1 August 2013

Throwback Thursday: Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

This is going to be the most self-indulgent instalment of this feature, but being a writer has got to have some perks right? Something has got to make up for the fact it’s the loneliest profession known to man.

The only surprising thing about this artist and this song is the fact it’s taken me until now to use them as part of Throwback Thursday. Ladies and gentlemen I bring to you Jimi Hendrix and one of the greatest records of all time, Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
It’s taken from the 1968 debut of The Jimi Hendrix Experience ‘Electric Ladyland.’ The track came out of another song on the album ‘Voodoo Chile’ which is basically a 15 minute blues jam. For you music geeks out there that’s where the ‘Slight Return’ part of the name comes from.

It became a fan favourite, and a staple of Hendrix live shows, with probably the best known performance coming at Woodstock in 69. It was ranked 101st on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 greatest songs of all time as well as going to number 1 in the UK, in 1970 after the singers untimely death earlier on that year. Hulk Hogan even used this as his entrance music, what more do you want!!!??
If this opening riff doesn’t make you want to be a guitarist, then my friend you’re doing it wrong. Play this LOUD!!!