ALBUM REVIEW: Skanky Skanky by Toddla T

Bout a year ago I heard "Full Up Me Portion" on a free magazine sampler and it was one of those magical moments where the track comes on and you know that something special just invaded your brain. It's an immediate track that don't beat around the bush (literally "Snare... and we're in") and Mr. Versatile's slick and funny lyrics really make this a classic.

A year later, was it worth the wait? (And I mean wait, I was on his site at least twice a week until a release date popped up.)

Well I'll start with the negatives.

1. He renamed "Full Up Ma Portion"! It's exactly the same track that was previously available... but now it's called "Rice & Peas"! WTF?!
2. The skits that proliferate the album are funny at first... but at the end of the day just get on your tits after a few listens. Especially since they aren't cut as separate tracks, which is always a pain in the arse if you're into your mixtapes. Like me.
   
3. The best tracks on the album are the ones that have been kicking around for a while anyway. If you happen to have the "Do You Know?" Ep already, then there's not really much reason to get this! Instead, go on iTunes and download "Goin Off" and lead single "Shake It" and that's about all you need.

THAT SAID!

This is still a good album, and if you're fresh to the T (which I'm guessing will be quite likely) then most of those criticisms don't apply to you. The beats are fresh and vibrant in a way that Armand Van Helden can't even comprehend (That's the other guy who did Bonkers by the way. In fact I'd say he did most of the work.) There is some great stuff here, with some quality guest vocals; though no one can top the brilliant chemistry Mr. Versatile brings to proceedings, Roots Manuva and Tinchy Stryder both make a few sweet appearances and an unexpected colab from Benjamin Zephaniah takes a brave stab at a more down-tempo sound.

Not all the tracks are top notch, and maybe a 10 song tracklist would have been more realistic, but then I'd probably be complaining about value-for-money. Probably. In the mean time, settle for some classics, some quality new tunes and MAYBE a few presses of the FFWD button. No more than 3 tho, I promise. You should definitely stick it out, as final track "Better" is a gorgeous eletro-keys driven late-night track that has to be heard.

At the end of the day, the slightly insane, blippy noise that comes off this disc is thoroughly enjoyable, and if you haven't already got a wide selection of T Willy's tunes then there's nothing to complain about here! It was a long wait... "but I'm glad for you, yeeaaaahhh!"

Chris/Audio Bigot
xx