Favourite UK Tracks from 2011

We have finally come upon a time when UK musicians are coveted worldwide, including major interest from the US superstars that previously highly influenced our culture. No longer feeling a need to replicate, creativity is being let loose in ways that allow artists and producers freedom with creativity. What is liked in general is now more diverse, preference no longer easily boxed into one genre but whether or not the music actually sounds GOOD.

In an attempt to pull everything UK together (Team UK!! Nah not really, I mean, what IS that?) from both ends of the spectrum, I've managed to put together a list of my 20 favourites tracks released this year that each touched me in their own special way.

Following suit of the previous years, it's been another great one for UK music. Many names are missing from the list below that have undeniable potential to breakthrough in 2012. Attending the various live events and being exposed to the abundance of underground talent bubbling just under the surface throughout the year has been an amazing experience. I'll be attempting to support as many as possible as we journey through 2012....

Tracks are listed in alphabetical order....



A Team - Ed Sheeran
Ain't body Like You - Sincere
All My Love - Fuzzy Logik ft Jada Pearl
Blind Faith - Chase & Status ft Liam Bailey
Bluku! Bluku! - D Double E ft Dizzee Rascal
Clothes Off - Natalie May
Dancing - Zed Bias ft Omar
Deep In The Valley - Rudimental ft MC Shantie
Don't Go - Wretch 32 ft Josh Kumra
Earthquake - Labrinth ft Tinie Tempah
Easy Please Me - Katy B
Heaven - Emeli Sande
Just Wait - Incisive ft Shakka
La Musica - Ray Foxx ft Lovelle
Living My Life - Big Man Zest ft Shaun White & Jaja
Monsta Man - Giggs
No Regrets - Dappy
Over Me - DJ Q ft Louise Williams
Take It Back - Toddla T ft Shola Ama & J2K
Take It Slow - DJ Mystery ft Sophia

2011: The Urban Round Up

Take a look back on the year with Remel London and Kae Kurd....

Filmed and Edited by SJPOnline

UK Film Review: Victim

 

When British urban film steps up to send out a strong thought-provoking message, Victim is a great example of what can be produced. Co-Written by aspiring actors Michael Maris and Ashley Chin, the events that unfold provide an insight into many of the struggles faced by youth growing up in such a high-pressured modern society. How do those who end up on the wrong side of the law get there?

Perpetrators are depicted in the media as thugs who lack morals, guidance, decorum and common decency. The details of their offences are more readily available, than exploration into the events that encouraged such individuals to make undesirable choices. Sympathy only offered to the victim - "a person who is deceived or cheated, as by his or her own emotions or ignorance, by the dishonesty of others, or by some impersonal agency."

Victim boasts a strong cast including David Harewood, Frank Harper, Anna Nightingale, Ashley Madekewe, Jason Maza, Shanika Warren-Markland, Letitia Wright and writers Michael Maris & Ashley Chin to name a few. Upcoming songstress Selah also makes an appearance, including within a scene reminiscent of Lauryn Hill in Sister Act 2. Keeping all the talent tied together on screen is a soundtrack enticing you to bop your head. Consisting of an array of tracks from the previous decade to the present, as each filters through your ear drums they add to the entertainment value of the feature.

Completed on a micro budget, much of the soundtrack sourced from in house catalogue, writer Michael Maris says "Victim could never have been completed without everybody getting involved and believing in the project. I thank everybody that supported us with their own passion to make Victim happen."

Produced by Pure Film and due for cinema release February 2012, the first public screening of Victim took place at the Raindance Film Festival receiving remarkable feedback. A great start for Pure Film with a string of features due for release. The Tapes starring Natasha Sparkes, Jason Maza and Arnold Oceng has just been released on DVD and Payback Season starring Adam Deacon alongside another great cast is set for release later in 2012. Pure Film are also set to join up with Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting) as they get ready to start production for Magnificent Eleven and have another feature length set to start production in Summer 2012.

UK Film Review - The Tapes

Ever wanted to go on Big Brother and find your inner celebrity? If you lived in a town like Whitstable, Kent, where would you deem an excitable place to film your audition tape? That is the question which led Gemma, her boyfriend Danny and his film student friend Nathan down to a derelict farm in hope to film a party of swingers.

 

The Tapes is a feature length horror which evolved from idea to creation in just 6 weeks. Completed on an extremely low budget of £17,000 and filmed in just 6 days, what has been achieved is remarkable! Originally planning to film over just 4 days, 2 additional days had to be added to the shoot. Post production also took a lengthy and testing 20 months for the team to complete. But these weren't the only challenges encountered by the team; a favourable cameo role was spooked out of participating and Scott Bates (Producer/Co-Writer/Director) found himself skidding down a steep hill during snowfall en route to rehearsal with members of the cast, the day before filming was due to commence.   

Undeterred by the events of the previous day and being snowed in overnight, the shoot went ahead, battling through the snow. Turning negative to positive, the team saw it as a free special effect, adding an extra edge to the feature. Actors Jason Maza (Danny), Arnold Oceng (Nathan) and Natasha Sparkes (Gemma) improvised lines throughout, with clear direction of where the storyline needed to end. Together they spent lots of time developing their characters to give the film it's natural feel. A devil worshipper was also consulted and taken on board as an adviser, adding to the film's unnerving realistic edge.

Having already found familiar feet in various acting roles, Jason Maza and Arnold Oceng play their characters of a wide boy wheeler dealer and intelligent, peace-maker friend very well. But an extraordinary talent has been found in Natasha Sparkes, who made her acting debut within The Tapes, but went on to be casted in another feature length soon to be released 'Victim', premiering at the Raindance Film Festival on 2nd October. Natasha's talent shines as one deserving of the big screen, her character within The Tapes can have you laughing in one instance and anxiously staring the next, carrying the emotions of the film throughout.

If you think you can withstand the events that took place when a Big Brother hopeful wanted to stand out amongst the masses..... I challenge you to watch The Tapes......

Cinema release: 23rd September 2011
DVD Release: 3rd October 2011
Running Time: 77 mins
Certificate: 15
Facebook: The Tapes
Twitter: @TheTapes2011

Also featured on Break London, UK Choc and Niji Magazine

The 11:11 Phenomenon?

I'm back with another post about 11:11..... (If you'd like to read my previous post click here).

I saw this trailer and had to share it... My younger sister who also always sees 11:11 came up with a theory 6 years ago that something was going to happen on 11th November 2011, since she uttered the words, they have stuck with me. But I didn't think anything like this....

Yes I know, it's just a horror movie but I have to admit I screamed at the screen a few times while watching it. I'm probably going to watch this in the cinema when released on 10th November, then still tweet an extra special 11:11 on 11.11.11 because the truth is, I still don't know the relevance of the 11:11 and I'm still not truly phased..... *shrugs*

The media is a state!

If there is one organisation you would expect unbiased coverage from, BBC would be that place... Unfortunately that hasn't been the case. I put forward my first exhibit:

The disrespect starts instantly as she calls him 'Marcus Dowe'. Then she follows it up by asking him if he condones the riots, why because he understands them? #PAUSE# Then she cuts him off from expressing his thoughts on a young black man being killed by the police because "we have to wait for the 'police' report on it"..... #YAWN# Then she dismisses the fact that so many young black men are unlawfully stopped and searched in this city (let alone country) #SHAKES HEAD# THEN she accuses him of being a rioter himself!!! AM I THE ONLY PERSON WHO THINKS AN APOLOGY IS NEEDED HERE!?

To make matters worse after a race war has erupted, petrol is poured on the fire within the second exhibit.... David Starkey on Newsnight:

Is this really the kind of thing 'black people' pay their TV license to watch? What's happening during the BBC's media ethics training sessions? I find these broadcasts very worrying and offensive..... Not on!

New Video: Mind Spinning

Following up the video to Pow 2011, Lethal B releases Mind Spinning....



Also directed by Carly Cussen and released on June 19th 2011

New Film: Suicide Kids

So I've been eagerly anticipating this film for more than a thousand heartbeats and while I'm being extremely patient to see the finished product, I can see I'm going to get thoroughly as each of these teaser videos are released. Not that this is a bad thing..... Anything that can get me repeatedly excited deserves recognition for that alone lol

First teaser introduces us to Kenny played by Jason Maza....

Also starring Robert Sheehan, Tulisa Constavlos, Reggie Yates and Ashley Walters, I'm looking forward to meeting some of the other characters.

Scheduled for Release June 2011

Written and Directed By Arjun Rose

Executive Producer: Idris Elba

Film Review: Terry

“I’m just gonna shadow you for a little while and get to see your normal routine and how you live your life. It’s a human study…”

Student Charlie needs to complete a university assignment and decides to use Terry as his subject. Clearly evident that Terry is not your average Joe Bloggs with a regular nine to five occupation, the forthcoming events are unpredictable. Even though this may be the case, it’s made clear from very early on, whatever happens the camera must keep filming...

The standard gangster flick usually has a narration, depicted through the memory of the main character. Terry has a different angle, a story told as it happens. The unpredictable events unfold before a camera. Some of which even Danny Dyer would shy away from.

“I ain’t a gangster bruv, I’m just Terry mate. You know what I’m saying?”

Constructed on a dire budget, the factor has added to the movie, giving it a raw edge which is impossible to imitate. At many occasions it is more than easy to forget you’re watching a fictional creation.

Showcased at Portobello Film Festival September 2010, Terry also won the Best London Film Award. Directors Charlie Ruez and Nick Nevern who also plays the Terry character can definitely be proud of this creation.

Order your copy of the Terry movie here

New Music: Broken Record (Funky Remix)

I didn't think this song could be adapted in a way that I could like it more than the original but I came across this Funky remix from Geeneus that has shown me just how wrong I can be!!

There isn't anything else to do when hearing this track than to close your eyes, screw up your face, and let the music control you..... Listen to the build up on the bridge......

SWAAAAAAYING!!!!

Pre-order Broken Record (released 27th March) here

New Video: Hype, Hype Ting

Featuring footage from the forthcoming Anuvahood Movie, check out this video from Boy Better Know's JME and the film's Director/Writer/Actor Adam Deacon.

The film is released on 18th March 2011 (as if you didn't already know that) and if you haven't read it already, check out my review of the movie here

It's Just Anuvahood!!

Written, directed and starring Adam Deacon, you’d probably expect Anuvahood to be a sequel to the previous Kidulthood and Adulthood films, both written and starring Noel Clarke. But then you get told that it isn’t and is in fact the UK’s first urban comedy and you automatically think it must be a spin-off. But after watching it, there is arguable doubt whether it is, or whether it isn’t.

Although Adam Deacon played Jay in both the aforementioned films, taking the steps to go behind the camera, Adam Deacon has explained his inspiration to be based on favourable US urban comedy classics such as House Party and Friday. Having seen many UK urban films based on ‘hood’ gang culture, Adam Deacon teamed up with friend Michael Vu to write a film that brings a lighter atmosphere of the lifestyle to the screen. One that all walks of life can enjoy, without there being any need of a declaration to ‘keeping it real’. Although Adam and cast have openly stated that many of the characters mimic some real life personalities though exaggerated.

Bringing an amazing collection of cameos together, the cast boasts a vast array of both established and emerging UK talent. From Richard Blackwood and Eddie Kadi to Jazzie Zonzolo (Channel AKA). Ashley Walters, Giggs, Lethal Bizzle, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace (Big Brother), Portia Freno, Mz Bratt and Tiny Iron to Ms Jocelyn, Femi Oyeniran (Kidulthood/Adulthood), Jaime Winstone (Kidulthood), Richie Campbell (The Bill), Ollie Barbieri (Skins) and Linda Robinson (Birds of a Feather). With so much talent UK talent in one production, some with characters written specifically for them, Anuvahood holds a natural feel of personalities that can be identified with and could be expected to be found on a ‘Goonbred Estate’.

Including a soundtrack with predominantly UK music, both past and present from a diverse range of genres, there’s bound to be at least one favourable track. If Donaeo’s Party Hard or Tinie Tempah’s Pass Out doesn’t get you, maybe Omar’s There’s Nothin Like This or Kano’s P’s & Q’s will.

What Adam Deacon has done with Anuvahood is ground breaking. The vision to take UK urban film away from the thuggish depiction we have seen churned out in the masses since films like Bullet Boy and Kidulthood entered the box office. I’m sure that although this is the first UK urban comedy spoof based on street culture, it surely won’t be the last. The only negative thing I would say about this film is that the title may cause many to expect something that it isn’t, which takes away from the achievement that has been accomplished.

Released 18th March 2011

Running Time 88mins

http://www.anuvahood.com
Anuvahood Merchandise
http://www.twitter.com/Anuvahood

New Movie: The Smurfs 2011

Does this trailer entice you into wanting to take your offspring to the cinema for a 90 minute nostalgic moment??

No?? Me either!!

Scheduled for release Summer 2011

New Video: Snakeyman - Makin' Moves

New Music: D Shit

I've been keeping a firm eye on this duo (Illamadi and D. Walker) in their own entities but it's nice to see them come together once again and having fun whilst doing so.

The pair previously collaborated with many other artists on the Taking Over UK Refix and something tells me they'll be working together some more in the future.

Have a listen, if you like, this one is also available for free download >>here<<

New Video: Look What I've Done

Maverick Sabre has been causing more than a storm recently and is definitely one that many have tipped to keep an eye on during 2011 and beyond. His music and vocals are a step away from the usual, allowing his flavour to be appreciated with full entity.

Previously featured on the blog when he featured on Professor Green's Jungle, it's a pleasure to share another piece of work from the young musician.

Check out his latest video:

New Video: Tinie Tempah - Wonderman

Absolutely love this one!

With Labrinth on the buttons and teaming up with Ellie Goulding,
Tinie Tempah is starting 2011 with another one to blow our heads off!!

Trailer: Danso - London's Son

Maxsta an Average Kid?

Let's keep it real, if you're not heavily into grime, you probably never heard of East London's Maxsta until he dissed Chipmunk during the build up of Pow 2011, but if you're totally out of touch you probably missed that too....

Coming up under the wings of Roll Deep's Danny Weed and DJ Target, Maxsta grabbed the attention of many with the release of 'East London is Back' during 2010 and has continued to graft his way up.

Part of the Adidas 'We Are London' advertising campaign, Maxsta is due to release his debut single..... While he is heavily tipped as one to watch in 2011 on the underground, there seems to be a heavily mixed reaction. Some feel that Maxsta has gone back on his word and has already diluted his sound to approach the mainstream market, while others feel that he has replicated the exact same person who he has openly dissed - Chipmunk.

I'm not sure what the tribal dancer element of the video was trying to achieve, but I'm a good parent so I'll be telling my son to listen to Max.....

Released March 2011

The Ending of The Streets

Barely into 2011, another legendary act is reported to be coming to an end. 10 years since ‘Has It Come to This’ was released under the Locked On label who had previous success with Artful Dodger and Craig David, the single reaching top 20 in March 2001, the Streets are soon to release their upcoming album titled ‘Computers and Blues’ which will be the last album released on their 5 album record deal with Atlantic.

Following the release of ‘Computers and Blues’ on 7th February 2011 and the subsequent tours, Mike Skinner is said to be writing a film… The stereotypical mind thinks along the lines of Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. Surely we can have more faith in the creativity of his mind to explore outside of the box and deliver something less expected. He does have an interesting mind after all.

Mike Skinner paved the way for British rappers such as The Mitchell Brothers, Example and Professor Green, who were also signed to his independent record label ‘The Beats Recordings’ which closed doors in 2007. The Streets will always be remembered for hits like Let’s Push Things Forward, Dry Your Eyes, Weak Become Heroes and personal favourite Blinded By The Lights.

The first release from the Computers and Blues album is
Going Through Hell on 31st January 2011