Plan B - ill Manors (17/08/2012)
Plan B (aka Ben Drew) has come out all guns blazing with his third studio record “ill Manors’, a soundtrack to the film of the same name which he wrote and directed. But this record stands strong and tall as a fiery commentary on current socio-political issues impacting not only Britons but people all across the globe.
It’s not entirely necessary to have seen the film to appreciate the songs and it’s important to take this on its own merit. Those who would’ve heard Plan B’s previous record ‘The Defamation of Strickland Banks’ will find very little in this record that is similar to the soulful concept album of 2010. Put on your headphones and hold on tight because as the man himself even says in his opening track – “..you could get lost in this concrete jungle...”
From the outset we are thrust into the ghettos of Britain’s housing estates, battling alongside the downtrodden that are eking out a living through drug dealing, prostitution and theft. With a staccato like sample of Saint Saen’s ‘Carnival of the Animals’ string section underpinning the almost tick-tocking snappy beats layered on top; this is how the title track draws us in. Even the chorus shouts at you with “OI! I said OI! What you looking at you little rich boy? We’re poor ‘round here run home and lock your door!” demanding your attention to the plight of the residents.
‘Drug Dealer’ opens with an almost Rastafarian hip-hop feel and hard hitting percussion that coincides with the featured vocals of Chase And Status’ Takura Tendayi. Whilst John Cooper Clarke’s introductory blunt narrative lyrics for track ‘Pity The Plight’ over the repetitive piano chords is the climax of the record and features excerpts of the film (in audio form) dialogue conducted by the two main characters.
The closest we get to a ray of light and breath of fresh air on this record is ‘Live Once’, with slightly more encouraging lyrics “...and you can be anything you wanna be, there ain’t nothing stopping you, just like there weren’t no stopping me...”,
One track in particular stands out a bit like a sore thumb, ‘Deepest Shame’ which has such a light touch compared to the heavy handed beats and thick layers of the rest of the songs on this record.
One thing that is definitely evident on this record is Plan B’s much improved production skills and despite only two other records under his belt he’s clearly learnt from them. Al Shux has a hand in almost the entire album, and those capable hands are best known for producing and co-writing Alicia Keys’ massive hit ‘Empire State Of Mind’.
Overall this record is fluid, apart from the occasional interruption of film dialogue but this is a soundtrack after all. It does require a degree of concentration, particularly if you’re not a fan of rap music to try to keep up with all the waxing lyrical.
Regardless of the emotionally charged subject matter and where you stand on the debate, Plan B’s goal was to bring light to the circumstances that are befalling our society. It’s definitely not pretty and for his ruthless honesty in showcasing that on this record he deserves massive points.
Carina Nilma
It’s not entirely necessary to have seen the film to appreciate the songs and it’s important to take this on its own merit. Those who would’ve heard Plan B’s previous record ‘The Defamation of Strickland Banks’ will find very little in this record that is similar to the soulful concept album of 2010. Put on your headphones and hold on tight because as the man himself even says in his opening track – “..you could get lost in this concrete jungle...”
From the outset we are thrust into the ghettos of Britain’s housing estates, battling alongside the downtrodden that are eking out a living through drug dealing, prostitution and theft. With a staccato like sample of Saint Saen’s ‘Carnival of the Animals’ string section underpinning the almost tick-tocking snappy beats layered on top; this is how the title track draws us in. Even the chorus shouts at you with “OI! I said OI! What you looking at you little rich boy? We’re poor ‘round here run home and lock your door!” demanding your attention to the plight of the residents.
‘Drug Dealer’ opens with an almost Rastafarian hip-hop feel and hard hitting percussion that coincides with the featured vocals of Chase And Status’ Takura Tendayi. Whilst John Cooper Clarke’s introductory blunt narrative lyrics for track ‘Pity The Plight’ over the repetitive piano chords is the climax of the record and features excerpts of the film (in audio form) dialogue conducted by the two main characters.
The closest we get to a ray of light and breath of fresh air on this record is ‘Live Once’, with slightly more encouraging lyrics “...and you can be anything you wanna be, there ain’t nothing stopping you, just like there weren’t no stopping me...”,
One track in particular stands out a bit like a sore thumb, ‘Deepest Shame’ which has such a light touch compared to the heavy handed beats and thick layers of the rest of the songs on this record.
One thing that is definitely evident on this record is Plan B’s much improved production skills and despite only two other records under his belt he’s clearly learnt from them. Al Shux has a hand in almost the entire album, and those capable hands are best known for producing and co-writing Alicia Keys’ massive hit ‘Empire State Of Mind’.
Overall this record is fluid, apart from the occasional interruption of film dialogue but this is a soundtrack after all. It does require a degree of concentration, particularly if you’re not a fan of rap music to try to keep up with all the waxing lyrical.
Regardless of the emotionally charged subject matter and where you stand on the debate, Plan B’s goal was to bring light to the circumstances that are befalling our society. It’s definitely not pretty and for his ruthless honesty in showcasing that on this record he deserves massive points.
Carina Nilma