Wish and Whizz
Ltd
By
Wish Master and
Billy Whizz
Now, I know this one has been out for a little while now,
having been originally released back at the beginning of April this year. It
was only recently that Billy sent me the digital files and, following a few
hours we spent chatting in Bristol, I knew that I wanted to give this one the
treatment.
So, let me give you a quick intro to Billy Whizz and Wish
Master for those who might not be familiar. Wish Master is an Emcee from St
Paul’s Bristol, He is also the CEO of O.R. Records (Original Recordings Records) which was set up in 2017.
Billy Whizz, also from Bristol, is a Hip Hop producer whose influences range
from Black Metal to Neo Soul. He has produced his own Eps alongside those of
Twizzy and Lordwillin, and currently DJs for Tkorstretch, Wish Master and Press
1.
So, having read the liner notes for the album and chatted to
Billy, I liked the idea that the album was set up as a lost soundtrack to a
Sci-Fi Tech Noir movie that starred Wish Master and Billy Whizz. If you are not
sure what I’m going on about then here are the liner notes to help spread some
light on things:
Limited Edition Compact Disc Recently discovered in a DVD
bargain bin, it turns out Wish Master & Billy Whizz starred in their own
Sci Fi Tech Noir movie in the mid 80s. The soundtrack created from stolen
synthesizers and drum machines from John Carpenters next door neighbour and the
narrative provided by Wish Master's lyrics creates the perfect soundtrack all
produced by Billy Whizz. Top grade features from Upfront MC, Press1, Danja
& Datkid all add merit to the tense atmosphere Wish & Whizz have to
face. OR has now officially released its soundtrack in its full 8 track glory
restored on streaming services and CD.
I hope that helps because I thought I would add a slight
movie synopsis edge to the feel of my review. So, sit back, dim the lights, and
get the popcorn out, it’s time to press play…
Our opening scene see’s the dawns early light just breaking
over the urban skyline of the city of Bristol UK. The heroes begin to stir from
their slumber as a pounding beat hits, backed by some choral vocals, there is
almost a ragga feel to the opening theme of the movie. Wish Master is soon
dropping bars to Billy’s beats, switching between flows and styles, and musing over
Thoughts of Thoughts, we get a good introduction to Wish and Whizz,
prepping us for what’s to follow. As the light of day bathes the city in a
golden light, we see this is not the Bristol we know now, the skyscrapers tower
above the old city, just as giant redwood trees would tower over the native
oaks growing on what was our green and pleasant land. Giant LED displays
advertise products to the masses and vehicles not only travel the streets but,
also fly above them. This is a metropolis of the future. Our heroes set out in
the early morning light not knowing what day will bring but, as a wicked head
nod beat drops, it’s time to get everyone moving and grooving. With Billy on
the 1’s and 2’s, Wish Master opens up about who he is, what he does and how he
and Whizz channel their creative energy. The fact is their energy comes from
the heart, the Heart of a Lion that is, with passion, strength, and a
desire to rise to the top.
In this future full of technology that is integrated into
the very brains of humans, Wish and Whizz prefer to do things the old way in
analogue and digital, not by creating beats just by thinking them and having
them immediately available on an SSD built into a small watch like device on
your wrist. Yeah, it takes time, and you have to be a Workaholic to do
it. Here billy drops a deep, laid-back vibe from keys, drums, and choral
vocals. But it’s not laid-back enough to stop you moving, especially when Wish
is joined by Upfront MC to detail exactly what it is to get deep into this rap
game. If you wanna be the best you gotta work at it, constantly upping your
game to rise to the top and be the best. But, getting to the top is not gonna
be easy, especially in a high-speed word where things go beyond digital. Our
heroes stop in a small green space that was once Castle Park. As Wish begins to
muse about the future, Billy flips on a beat that has that soundtrack edge,
drums and sonic sounds create a grime vibe. This sets the stage perfectly for
Wish to speak on the struggles of daily life and all those times we see things
we feel we would like to do but, for whatever reason, we just don’t feel able
to reach those goals. Well, one thing is for sure here, Wish is certain of one
thing, if anyone can then Wish Master Can. With that desire ringing
strong in their ears Wish and Whizz now Get Connected with DatKid.
Together they walk tall through the megastructures as heavy drums and
multi-layered sounds create a solid head nod vibe that gets a smile on
everyones faces. There is almost a John Carpenter edge to this one as Wish and
DatKid speak hard and unapologetically on life in Bristol, what you have to do
to survive and the fact that being connected to all those liked minded souls
out there keep things alive and keep them going on…
As they continue their journey, Wish and Whizz find
themselves in an underground rock music club. With one thing in mind our heroes
set out to, once more, merge Rock n Rap. The people of the future have
forgotten that music genres can be brought together and Billy Whizz proceeds to
mix up some heavy drums, heavy rock guitars and rock vocals to bring a proper
rock n rap sound. Meanwhile Wish proceeds drop bars on the merging of musical
and lifestyles. Time to bounce to this and hit the mosh pit. As Wish and Whizz
emerge from the club, they are suddenly inundated with people asking questions
about what they are trying to do? With a sense of confrontation in the air
these people seem to have No Manners in their pursuit for answers,
pounding drums and a weird sound, almost like the Green Hornet theme, is the
opening for a heavy grime style beat, pounding your ears with bass. Wish Master
answers all the questions by explaining they make their music, their way. They
don’t work to any script, just put out what they want to put out, using any
sound they want and saying whatever they want. To show the crowd exactly what
they mean, Billy Whizz drops another grime edged beat with a mix of vocal
samples, rapid drumbeats, cymbals and multi-layered sounds. Wish Master calls
on Press 1 and Danjo to join him and with that all three proceed to spit lyrics
that deal with life while each one switches up Flows on Flows
demonstrating exactly what it is to do things your own way, why you do it,
reaching for those goals.
With the crowd in a frenzy, the commotion comes to the
attention of the authorities. Wish and Whizz take a step back to reflect on how
they got to where they are now. This gives birth to who they truly are Wish
and Whizz Ltd. Que a cut scene retrospective over the albums title track,
sparce drums, horns and strings bring a slightly laid-back vibe, giving us time
to pause for this reflective moment. Now with the feds quickly closing in and
blocking all exits its time for Wish and Whizz to bring some focus and clarity
to help diffuse the situation. Billy queues up some head nod drums backed by
organ notes which provide a slightly chilled edge, while still hitting on all
the right levels. Wish Master steps to the forefront dropping some deep verses
on just what it takes to create music, their way. He speaks on the passion, the
work ethic and the real-life experience that is tinged with emotion. It’s all
about creating music from the heart and not just the head. Its that which
allows you to dig deep inside and to bring out the King In Me. The crowd
seems to suddenly awake from a dream state, they switch off their devices,
unplug their minds and vow to make music from the heart. The authorities see
the crowd disperse but, keep watch on Wish and Whizz as they make their way
back to home. Once there and with the knowledge of what has gone that day they
reflect once more. Billy drops a heavy sound of drums and horns that is full of
energy. Wish, fuelled by the sound, opens up on what it is to be in this world,
a world where there is so much Poison around us in many different forms.
You have to get out there, make a stand, do what you gotta do to make you voice
heard. To make that point even deeper there is some samples of Wish speaking
during the BLM marches in Bristol way back in 2020. As the music fades and the
credit roll, you are left wondering just how Wish Master and Billy Whizz got to
this futuristic Bristol? Perhaps that one will be uncovered in another dusty
DVD bin someday, that’s if the movie was ever made…
So, I may have put a fun spin on this one to make it fit in
with the kinda fun overview of the album but, make no mistake here Wish and
Whizz Ltd is a solid street level expression of urban music styles that exist
in Bristol.
Wish Master and Billy Whizz, as individuals, have a deep
connection to the underground music scene in Bristol and the UK in general. As
they show their talents are second to none, which makes them a force to be
reckoned with as a team. With Billy’s production, which mixes a whole host of
musical styles and influences, with Wish Masters lyrical style and flow, which
has its foundation in his own real-life experiences, really does seem to create
this aural experience that creates these visual ideas in the mind of the
listener, as it did for me. They just work so well together, each seemingly
bringing out the best in the other.
Wish and Whizz Ltd is just a wining formula that takes the
multi-faceted production and DJ skills of Billy Whizz and adds in the intelligent
wordplay, styles, and flows of Wish Master, then multiplies by a few carefully
selected guest artists and divides by 11 solids tracks which equals one huge
slice of underground music that will appeal to a wide range of people and
deliver enjoyment for years to come.
I could go on for longer about the album, singling out how
good the guest artists are and how they each bring their own styles, spicing
things up in just the right way when needed but, do you really need me to say
all that?
All I really need to say is this, if you have not heard this
already then grab a download or CD and stick it on cos I can guarantee you
won’t be sorry you did and plus it’s always good to support the artists too.
So, Wish and Whizz Ltd by Wish Master and Billy Whizz is out
now on O.R Records.
As for me?
I’m outta here,
See Ya…
Steve
LINKS
Remember to check all the usual Social Media sites for Wish Master, Billy Whizz and O.R.Records.
Get the Album from Wish Master on Bandcamp Here:
https://wishmaster.bandcamp.com/album/wish-whizz-ltd
Check Billy Whizz on Bandcamp Here:
https://billywhizz.bandcamp.com/
O.R. Records Official Website:
OFFICIAL VIDEOS
Thoughts of Thoughts (Intro) / No Manners
Get Connected ft DATKID
Workaholic ft UPFRONT MC
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