Extended Review: Ty - 'Closer'

Ty has never been flavour of the month, even in 2004 when a Mercury nomination came into play. Instead, his fan base and reputation have grown incrementally with each LP, tour and 12". 'Closer' should continue this trend. Gone are the urban soul flourishes of 'Upwards' – this is a purist hip-hop album, with 12 killer basslines, some really poppy hooks, and some intelligent, inspiring lyrics. Ty has much more in common with the likes of De La Soul (who appear on The Idea and title track Closer) and Speech of Arrested Development (on the fantatstic This Here Music) than he does with the more thuggish elements in London's hip-hop scene, and their appearances are fitting. Oh! Featuring Bahamdia and Zion I has a tougher edge, and nice and grimy digital production. There are no weak tracks on the LP; each beat is fresh and confident of its' own quality. Supremely laidback opener Don't Watch That (Knickers, Y-Fronts & Jockstraps) is a case in point – a James Brown funk guitar stab riding a syncopated rhythm, as Ty debates the rumours that dog every celebrity career ("Apparently I walk with a thousand grand / And like fat girls dipped in marzipan..."). The broken-beat rhythms and skilful flows of 'Closer' are a joy to experience – the album does little to re-imagine or innovate further on Ty's winning formula, nor will it revolutionise hip-hop, but you cannot deny that Ty gets better with each album – and that his albums improve with each listen. In his unassuming, modest way, he is an ambassador for UK hip-hop: its' most balanced, clear-eyed and intelligent practitioner. [Bram Gieben]