Ear Fuzz

P-Money: Wonder Boy and Don’t Talk Rough (feat Blacks)
From: P-Money Is Power [Uptown, 2008]

Back with the heavy heavy sounds from Ol’ Blighty today in the form of some love it or hate it Grime. It seems to be one of those truths that, with the exception of one or two artists, a Grime MC’s underground work is always more exciting and interesting that any subsequent major label albums they put out. Maybe this is due to the urgency and home grown nature of these products or maybe it’s due to the lack of interference from labels who want to polish the sound with some more radio friendly output but, either way, it’s something that seems to be as true now as it was five years ago and a staple of any British music that makes its way out of the underground.

With this in mind I’m here today to celebrate an absolutely outstanding release from P-Money. It’s worth noting that this isn’t a mixtape in the traditional sense of the word, put together with original rhymes over original beats it’s more a street tape in the style of Killer Mike’s Grind Time releases.

As wired and sonically overwhelming as you could possibly hope, P-Money comes hard on these tracks displaying the key elements of vocal dexterity and the ability to pen a memorable hook without ever resorting to played out eighties loops.

Wonder Boy is a great example of Money’s mastering of flow as he rides the deceptively minimalist beat to perfection, no need for hooks or big instrumentation – this is purely Money and the beat and it’s absolute killer.

This isn’t to say that the producers showcased on P-Money Is Power don’t come with the goods though as Don’t Talk Rough ably demonstrates. Starting with jarring synth stabs the track then ratchets up the intensity with a modulating bassline designed to fuck up your head with a swiftness. To be played at high volume, preferably in a residential area.

With the big names in the scene venturing ever further into the pop market it’s refreshing to hear the the original grime sound is still very much alive and well in releases like this. Fingers crossed that if Money ever crosses over he can keep the intensity rolling on.

I have to hold up my hands on a late pass as this actually came out last year, despite my valiant attempts I’ve only really caught up on a couple of the artists making big noises at the moment (Money, Ghetto and Chipmunk). Anyone else I should be hitching onto the bandwagon of?