It has balls big fat rebellious balls of fire, and one of the best 70 minutes you’ll have this summer.

As the blazing heat continues to burn the UK a new whole in the dry ground, this latest album by Skitz called ‘Sticksman’, it can definitely be the soundtrack to it (the unexpected sun and heat in the UK) and in parts almost make us feel like we’re on a Caribbean island which has somehow morphed into Ibiza and Ayia Napa at the same time. Because although as stated in the fiery ‘Intro’ to this album ‘this is Hip-Hop’, it also has other things going on as well, like reggae, and a bit of soul too.
Skitz has been around for a while, producing, DJing, and performing, since around 1996 and is probably best known for his debut album ‘Countryman’ from 2001 and for his extensive work with Rodney P the fiery ragga toned MC – who also features prominently throughout this album too, particularly the muscular bass and block rocking and block moving of ‘Left.’
Skitz on this new album ‘Sticksman’ seems to have mined a tunnel deep into reggae territory, all the way to Kingston in Jamaica possibly, and has done it in a fiery and explosive way. The horns of the aforementioned ‘Intro’ kick things off in particular fine style. Then on ‘Struggla’, Rodney P is flexing and vexing his muscles in fine style, along with Kardinal Offishal. It feels like the Notting Hill Carnival has come early with this track.
There’s the haunting and self-explanatory ‘Slaves’ which is soul drenched with an understated grimy glamour, the lolloping guitars are pinned down with poignant lyrics such as ‘It ain’t just us it ain’t justice’, and ‘been a slave most of my life.’ Bringing the word ‘Slave’ into the terrible modern sense of it where people feel like they’re treated like slaves as well as the atrocities of 200 years ago.
There’s the brilliant ‘Don’t Cry’ which just rumbles away with intensity with some impressive vocal gymnastics from Deadly Hunta, with the rumble being turned even more on the vibrating ‘Rumble.’ The soul tinged element of the album is used even more effectively on the black blues soul of ‘Rainy Day Science’, one of the centre pieces of this album which deals with the effects of crack cocaine addicts, it’s the most sombre track on here, and singer Juni sounds brilliant on here, and you definitely soak every second of it 6 plus minute length. ‘Requiem Of The Gods’ is the other majestic centre piece on this album, and features the 4 way force of Orifice Vulgatron (the brilliant from Foreign Beggars and did you hear him on the General Midi album from last year?), Mr Ti2bs who is also on ‘Rebel Stand’ on this album and has worked regularly with both Rodney P and Skitz, and has been much missed since his last album ‘Nobody’s Perfect’, the tight as a punch Dynamite MC and Harry Shotta.
‘Diamonds and Gold’ with its slick beats effectively pays homage to Bob Marley by dancing the reggae beats up to stunning effect, and L Dot Man knows how to get his seductive tongue to lick around the lyrics.
There’s a rebellious, and an underdog-rising-up nature to this album, especially with song titles such as ‘Struggla’, ‘Slaves’, ‘Rumble’, ‘Rebel Stand’, and ‘Born Inna System’, which features the lyrics, ’Everybody’s born with a choice, nobody’s taking it from me’ being repeated in the background of the track. The calypso catchy beats of ‘Music Is My Life’ really see’s the album let it dreaded hair loose and down a bit. And the near legendary Masta Ace works his lyrical skills on the soulful, lustful, and achingly and tears inducing, ‘Set You Free’, in a word WOW.
It’s another album which shows hip-hop, particularly in the UK is moving forward, and is capable of merging with other styles of music effectively.
It’s a good 70 minutes for you to either party, rebel, or walk down the street feeling invincible, or for doing all 3, and it will let you feel the heat long after the unexpected heat wave in UK has gone.

Ben Bradford

For fans of Rodney P, Foreign Beggars. And Mr Ti2bs, and Bob Marley. www.myspace.com/daddyskitz