producers: mark b

guests: rodney p, lewis parker, chester p, skinnyman, westwood, primecuts, plus one, mr. thing, al tariq of missin' linx, 'no sleep' nigel

Sometimes the world seems to work in pairs, or duos, like Sonny & Cher, Kid 'n Play, peanut butter and jelly, Taco and Bell, D & D, Eric B. & Rakim, and now Mark B & Blade. Blade, the stature in UK hip hop for years, and Mark B, no less, them teaming up for this album, results in a friendly game of poker: no one truly seems to know the rules, but you win some and you lose some. That probably didn't make too much sense, so consider this to be the Chubaca defense.

It's always nice having people introduce themselves to us at the beginning of a record, and for all those that are only joining the party now, Blade says 'hi' on "From The Word Lab", while Mark B hooks up some 70s horns to create a musical offering, not falling short in appeal. And add to this scratches by Plus One and you have the formula for the album: Blade's rhyming, Mark's beats and some guest's scratching. Now this threesome also does "Building A Rep" that does fall back some with the beat, it being too simple and on that bass focused. There is some clatter of a stork's beak and cricket's chirping sounds, so you could call this a Discovery Channel offering.

The title cut "The Unknown" then gets back on the right track, with an added bass guitar, cleverly fit singing and Primecuts' always pleasing scratching. On the lyrical tip, Blade talks as the veteran he is, teaching both rookies and sophomores, working as a motivational speaker at times, but other times, not hesitating having his pupils face the plain truth of their shortcomings. Mark shows one of his complexest beats on "Ya Don't See The Signs", that's on some 'stand back and let a professional rapper rhyme' tip, Blade going "backstabbers don't survive long in my mic zone". This contains percussion, a dominant piano and several interchanged effects, giving it the mentioned depth. Mr. Thing finishes things and transits us to "We Stay Rough", a track having us listen to them fashionable organs / basses. However, this will be checked for the Rodney P contribution, who plays lyrical ping pong, the mic bounding back and forth between him and Blade.

Showing that they have tales of origin, and that the two were walking before there was a whole defined and commercialized hip hop scene, Mark and Blade do "Back In The Day", a no hearsay track, Blade being the eyewitness and Mark resurfacing past techniques and it taking us to forgotten or before our times areas. Quite playful is the beat to "The Long Awaited", a lyrical heavyweight battle royal, with lyricist Lewis Parker and battle cook Skinnyman going out to do as much damage as possible. Being reduced to the duo again, "Right Here Right Now" again succeeds with a worked out and finished production. Blade does not try to go out without addressing the listener several times, talking like the experienced uncle that gives us some grains of knowledge, just hoping he's not dropping it on stone, but soil.

Still he can also switch things, what he proofs on the story telling Die Hard like "Hostile Takeover", with Chester P not being the sidekick. Add Tim Westwood for good and surprising measure, giving some voiceovers, and add a dope beat, that does not sound concluding, but gives an impression of continuing the plot. Despite such bliss, things return to something more usual on "24 Hours", with the scratching of Mr. Thing and Blade proofing to no one's surprise, his commitment. This is then followed by another top of the line beat on "Split Personalities": those horns, the little shuffle is just pure dopeness. And strangely surprising, the team of Al' Tarig and Blade works so well, you are tempted to call it the best team up on this album. Both cats do some serious spitting, only enhancing each others force and fierceness with said chemistry. This gotta be the highlight of the album.

Although "One Shark One Piranha" is not to be dismissed either, it doing everything right, with Mark coming correct and Blade showing his hunger with the well fitting simile / metaphor, making Brazilian nature scientists and Australian surfers rush to safety. And Blade continues to put his foot on props getting ground with the explanatory "Bad Day", making us relate, maybe smile a little, but in general enjoy the almost Mr. Bean-ness of what Blade has to go through.

Still not getting the attention the UK is deserving, Mark B & Blade's album are further and with emphasis proofing that the island got offerings, as ill as BSE, thick as gravy, traditional as tea, as good tasting as custard, and misunderstood as English cuisine. That's as delicious as Yorkshire pudding, and never even as nasty (bad meaning bad) as one of those breakfast sausages. Or plain and simple: dude's got beats, mate's got lyrics.