Bashy – Catch Me If You Can

// June 3rd, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Music Reviews

Well well well. June the 1st is among us. Admittedly, out of the 3 CD’s that were being released today, Wiley’s was the one I wanted to get 1st. But that’s not coming out until the 8th and I ain’t waiting around !!

Bashy’s name has been on the lips of millions of people, from Tim Westwood to Gordon Brown, all over England and even across Europe. Other than the um-matchable message he belted out on “Black Boys”, Bashy was the only artist to make a Grime hit the national charts in 2008 with “Kidulthood 2 Adulthood”.

The CD opens up with an epic message, various different people bigging up Bashy for all the work he’s done, creating history with “Black Boys” and inspiring thousands. “Before Before” is a genius piece of work, a celebration of all the things he grew up with including legendary Dizzee Rascal & D Double E Bars, classic TV Shows like Desmonds (Wow, that ain’t been on for AGES) and the real McCoy plus a remembrance of general life. The promise of “Who Want’s To Be A Millionaire” is let down slightly by Toddla T’s headache providing beat. “She’s A Gangster” gets more and more catchy with each play. The hook is just off this planet and Bashy does alot on the verses.

The 1st feature comes in the form of mega multi-platinum album selling group N Dubz on “Travel The World”. The song is quite good, Dappy’s hook is what really makes it though. Only a brave man would attempt to count the amount of Countries/Cities mentioned on this tune !!! Next up we got “Change”. This is probably the deepest tune I’ve heard in a while, Naughty Boy’s productions are actually sick ! Bashy must have cried on the page when writing on this one !!

“Copy Cat” can boast itself to be one of the CD’s best tunes. Bashy absolutly kills it !! I would love to see a video for this one. “OH MY GOSHH” - still floating about in my brain !! “Ransom” is cleverly constructed, it’s basically a script rolled into some rhymes, but it all sounds a little too “forced”. “Living My Dream” is another deep one, not as deep as “Change” but gets the meassge across all the same. Sirach Charles’ vocals on the chorus are smoooth ! “Life” is definatly not one of my favourite tunes. The vocals don’t really go with Toddla T’s yet again head hurting beat, although Bashy’s long going flow saves it a little bit along with the noice hook.

“Your Wish Is My Command” is actually a banger, I think Myx Quest’s beat is sampled form an 80’s tune, not 100% though. H-Boogie’s vocals on the chorus are absolutly superb and Bashy does well to saty ahead of his guest on this track !!! “We Can Do Anything” has been a favourite of mine for a very long time and this version feature UK pop-sensation Jamelia (Please, please do a video, just so I can see her ). The tune is emotional, yet, comes with a positive and happy vibe. “Sorry” didn’t realy get too much play . I’m like a lost little child after hearing this. Then switching on “Slags” and various other semi-degrading taunts towards Women. It’s a nice little tune noe the less, just very much not a legacy setter.

“What About Me” is quite deep. I’m sure I recognise the beat from somewhere but all the same, Bashy spills his thoughts all over it. “Day Before I Die” is one to be skipped to be honest. The chorus is frankly embaressing when you consider all the other bits we’ve seen on the album so far. Bashy does try hard to save it, but, I couldn;t get into it…

The bonus tracks. Well…”Kidulthood 2 Adulthood” made the UK’s top 100. Unreal. The Maniac production is pukka, the way Bashy keeps up with the beat is amazing and the fact this song charted is PHENOMENAL. “Black Boys” is that tune. The one you have on repeat. It’s gonna be around for years. And let me just add, as a white guy, the tune ain’t racist. Come off that talk !!!

This CD is not one to be slept on. Rating wise….tough one…it’s gott be a 4/5 for me !

Peace