Low-Life | UK Hip Hop Story | Breaking The Illusion - Never (In A Million) / That's A Good Party 12" [Nice Things Music]

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Breaking The Illusion - Never (In A Million) / That's A Good Party 12" [Nice Things Music]

Breaking The Illusion - Never In A Million 12" [Nice Things]

Tom Stewart should be recognised as a legend, but rarely seems to get the props he deserves. In fact his whole crew seem to not get the shine you would think that they should, but regardless Tom has become a senior figure in Leeds' rich music scene and could be paralleled to some sort of godfather or mentor to much of the talent he has developed and help get released. Now it is his time again, and he has just dropped a dope new 12" on his own Nice Things Music label.

I have checked out the CD and in my biased opinion it is something you should be checking for. Each side is radically different, with the A side - Never (In A Million) being an angry retort from TD to the pitiful state of the UK music scene and the general lack of support for homegrown when compared to the love that big commercial acts from the US receive.

The beat is complex, multi layered and therefore interesting. The way the Honey Drippers are interwoven with some horn stabs make for a classic sound. I love the lyrical content, and can feel what TD is saying is from the heart, especially in verse two when he states that he is prepared to call out names and GLC for one get it. In the final verse TD continues to list many of the things that he will never have such as Bentley's and he himself says that so long as he keeps it real big time success is something that will pass by. He knows the reality of the situation and is still prepared to do his own thing.

Personally I feel that struggling musicians need to express these sentiments to let people know that it isn't all blinging, but I fear that many of the kids today are simply not receptive to these messages. Did you notice all the backlash Blade got for his raps about years of struggle? He was shot down as moaning and whining. Whilst I believe that his critics were wrong in this respect, it is unfortunate that we live in a society which is so radically changed from when we were youths. Public Enemy, KRS One, the X Clan, Poor Righteous Teachers were lapped up and people learned from these teachings and thought they could make the world a better place, now it appears that people have lost all fight and rebelliousness and are prepared to sit back and accept what shit is thrown at them unquestioningly.

The B Side - That's A Good Party is somewhat the antidote to the previous tirade and goes some way to show how TD would like to unwind and how he would get rid of his frustrations. The track has a super big bassline, Maceo type 'Paaartay' chants and follows on from Mystro's My Type Of Party which was released on the Low Life Food double LP. Here Tom describes a house party where the coppers are breakdancing and even use their squad car to deliver a load of beers. He progresses to describe all the good things that make a good night for him - never ending drinks, no sick in the sink and a great buffet. There is a great fun vibe to the track with crazy indulgent singing in the choruses. There is no queue for the toilet and all the girls are fine and available. Maybe not the most original idea, especially on the back of Mystro's version, but it is well done and humorous to boot.

Although Breaking The Illusion could be running the risk of being sidelined and looked over in favour of some jigging blinging stuff, TD is staying true to the original ideals depicted in his group's name and on a larger scale we really need rappers like you to continue to produce thought provoking and challenging music, regardless of its current commercial appeal. A longer lasting legacy will be laid this way and in terms of UK Hip Hop BTI have laid one of the longest to date. I hope that my fears are unfounded and that this release is well received and does well for both BTI and the Nice Things label.

Visit Nice Things on the web :: http://www.nicethingsmusic.co.uk :: :: email:info@nicethingsmusic.co.uk tel: 07790 979930
Nice Things Music Promo Sampler