LIBRA
By
Whirlwind D
Since I first met Whirlwind D back in 2017 at the first ever
Rope-a-Dope in Bristol, he has become a good friend and one of my personal
favourite emcees in the UK. Beyond that, and something that has to be noted in
this special year for Hip Hop culture, Whirlwind D has immense knowledge on the
history of Hip Hop music and more, which he brings to the airwaves and pages of
such publications as Record Collector.
There is something special about any new release from the
man from B-Line/Solid n Mind/Tru-Tone Records and Liberty grooves. There is a
depth of feeling that you do not always get with all the music that you listen
to. When you put on a Whirlwind D release you know this is something you can
listen to anywhere, with anyone, and there is an anticipation that every track
will speak to you on one or even many levels, be it just the fun lovin’ musical
side or reaching in and tweaking the very nerves of a deep emotional link you
have to the subject matter. Whirlwind D truly delivers music for the masses.
LIBRA promises to tick all the boxes musically and vocally
on what is expected to be his final long player. LIBRA is also an album of two
parts, one that symbolises the two sides to anything, more on that as we go
along. Featuring production from Specifik, Djar One, Smoove, Farma G, Franky
Roar, Mr Fantastic (ae Productions), Lewis Parker and Simon S, plus guest
appearances from Farma G, Junior Disprol, Chrome, Specifik and Lewis Parker,
with cuts coming from Specifik, Jazz T, Miracle, Mr Fantastic and Djar One;
this album promises to be one of the standout releases of 2023.
So, please join me as we cast our heads to the night sky and
the stars of the constellation of Libra and allow the energy of those stars to
merge with music…
We begin with side A Grey Matter and the Introduction.
With Specifik on production this thumping intro to be just that and nothing
more but, alongside all samples that introduce Whirlwind D, there is this
little guitar sample that just adds a little depth and creates this sense of
anticipation that slowly builds across these fifty-two seconds, and that
anticipation is soon rewarded. The guitar and drum heavy vibe of When It’s
Fast, features Djar One on Production and Specifik on the cuts, and gives
you this up-tempo funk sound that is the perfect template for D to drop a
celebration track about everything that is Hip Hop but, especially those beats
and rhymes that are fast, and D matches that celebration of those up-tempo
vibes with his lyrical flow; where he brings intelligent words delivered with
pace. This one has you bouncing from the get-go. Specifik and Djar One return
on the next track but, this time their roles are reversed with Specifik on
production and Djar One on the cuts. The laid-back vibe of drums, bass and keys
on Sambuca creates this sound which seems to have this ‘calm before the
storm’ air about it. Here D spins the kind of rhymes that bring a smile, it’s
all about getting hyped up for the live show and keeping that fire lit with a
taper of the liquid kind. Anyone who has been to Rope-A-Dope can tell you that
that Sambuca often features; the firey liquid burns its way down, giving the
warmth and internal strength to perform with gusto and engage the crowd
throughout. Now the anxiety is out the way, and we are suitably hyped up, it’s
time for that Everyday Hustle with Whirlwind D, Djar One on production and
Specifik on the cut. Brining that Hip Hop funk vibe with drums, bass, guitar
and keys, the tempo and energy switches up once more. Don’t expect to have
chance to take a breath before the bridge as D keeps the bars coming at pace as
he relates how it is to be out there every day, work, rest, and play, doing
what you gotta do before finding the space to think, write and record. The
daily grind we all have done, will do and expect, means that you do have get on
that hustle to do the things you enjoy and often these things play second
fiddle to the more mundane aspects of everyday life. There are times when the
everyday grind gets too much and we have to take some time out, kick back and
chill; and what better way to do that, than by soaking in the Ocean’s Breeze,
with Djar One on production and cuts. The sounds of the ocean and gulls, mix
with some funky drums and flute vibes to bring a sound that, initially, make to
think this sounds like ‘Labels pt II’, now it might not be that but, it has the
same infectious sound and feel-good factor, which gets the adrenaline pumping,
especially when the horns drop in. Whirlwind D’s flow adds to that adrenaline-fuelled
feel as he gives us line after line that creates a mental picture in your mind,
of summer days, BBQs, and live music events, in fact everything that you love
about that holiday vibe. Now, bearing in mind that we have just been thinking
of the track ‘Labels’, what better way to round off the Grey Matter side of
this album than with Labels (Smoove Extended Mix); I previously reviewed
the 7” version of this when it was released as the B-Side to ‘Without Music’ in
2021, featuring Smoove on production and Specifik on cuts. With this one Smoove
takes the original from 2018’s ‘Beats, Bit’s and Bobs’ and adds this awesome
feel-good factor by bringing in strings, drums, and horns to give you this
funky Hip Hop vibe mixed with a big band sound that not only ramps up the
adrenaline already running through you but, is all one of the most infectious
sounds around. Whirlwind D takes us on a trip through his early days in Hip Hop
and how the various record labels and their releases would be a huge influence
and even keep you hanging for what they would be dropping next, in fact the
record labels became the things we looked for as much as the artists. Labels
always brings back memories of flicking through the vinyl, tapes and CD’s in
the various record stores in Southampton or trips up to London; when you didn’t
recognise an artist you looked at the label or, very often with 12” singles in
generic sleeves, it would be the label name that stood out. What a way to end
the first side of the album, as this one is gonna stick in your head as you
flick to the B-side…
As you spin the disc from one side to the other, the energy
switches to one of Dark Matter, and a more serious air settles around
you as the diamond needle ignites the Flames; produced and featuring
Farma G, with Specifik on the cuts. Heavy drums, piano and guitar fills you
ears with vibe that immediately causes your every nerve to tense and contract
with an ominous vibe. Gone are the up-tempo flows as Whirlwind D and Farma G
bring into stark and emotive focus, the pain and suffering that is caused by
conflicts and war, be it on the streets or in another country. Every day the
media brings us unsettling images and news of war, murder, and suffering;
making the world outside of our own four walls to be a place where money is
power, blood is just by-product and tears are the rivers and oceans. With those
images of reality still stinging our eyes, Specifik brings production for False
Prophet, with Jazz T on the cuts. Up-tempo drums, horns, keys, and an
ominous bass sound brings a deep heavy vibe that makes want to listen to what’s
coming next. Whirlwind D takes our focus from the outcome of conflict and puts
it squarely on those in a position of power who purport to be our saviours. The
leaders who talk the talk and bring slogans of hope, drawing in the masses with
lies dressed up as fact, all in order to gain support and to be put in the
ultimate position of power. Once they have the power, they look down on those
who put their trust in them, using them as their stairway to gain more and
more, while the lies and misrepresentation causes more and more suffering,
poverty, and pain. The false prophet sits in a place where they never want
anything, are never cold and never hungry, while those who follow starve,
freeze, and so often pay the ultimate price. The realisations of the harsh reality
of life around us, begins to permeate into our very soul; down into The Deep,
where Franky Roar is on production and Miracle brings the cuts. The sound here
multi-layered with pounding beats, percussion sounds and electronic vibes,
together they create a dark raw soundscape for a posse style cut that sees
Whirlwind D joined by Junior Disprol, Chrome and Specifik on the mic. The four
emcees join forces to vocally expose and destroy those who sit in the racist
far right-wing camps; those people who use the symbol of the St. Georges cross
to promote sick racist, narrowminded views of a nazi-based white master race,
where all other rases are subservient. These outdated and uneducated views only
serve to hold the entire world back from standing together as one unified
people, where all are accepted. Hip Hop culture has always promoted the
understanding that we are all same colour underneath, something that is truly a
foundation for a better world. With hope building inside us the tempo increases
as Mr Fantastic brings the cuts and production of upbeat drums over a sampled
vocal with bass, to fuel the adrenaline once more in a more positive way. The
pace returns to D’s vocals too, this matches the up-tempo beat and the pounding
of his feet and heart he breaks into a Sweat. It’s all about pushing
yourself to be fit, be that physically or mentally, you have to exercise your
body and mind to keep yourself in peak performance, or at least keeping
yourself ready for the next challenge. As the light at the end of the tunnel
approaches, the legendary figure of Lewis Parker steps up to guest and produce Lucky
Number, alongside Specifik on the cuts. This was originally released on ae
Productions back in 2022, which I reviewed at the time. The dark dystopian vibe
that Lewis Parker brings sound wise, fits perfectly with the Dark Matter vibe,
the multi-layered sound of drums, horns and guitar notes, among other elements,
really draws you in with a whole cinematic soundtrack style sound. Vocally we
find Whirlwind D and Lewis Parker speaking on those
lucky numbers that we all gamble on in the hope it will bring us some good luck
but, it’s really all about those in a place of power who are always rolling the
dice, playing with the lives, hopes and dreams of the everyday person. We are
not just the pawns in their games, we are steppingstones and blocks they use to
build their empires, and let’s face it, if we want to be brutally honest, we
are all expendable in the eyes of those who govern. The only true lucky number
we have is that there is strength in numbers and if we all rise as one, we can
turn the tide of luck in our favour, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The final track of the album looms which sees production from Simon S and cuts
by Specifik on The Music (Dirty Mix), there is an interesting story
behind this but, that’s one for Whirlwind D to tell. There is this raw sound of
drums and horns that has that old dusty vinyl sound about it. We are finally
out of the tunnel and back in the light as Whirlwind D spins more stories
around what it is to have the music running through your mind, body, and soul,
from the mind, via the pen, to the page and then on record to the stage. The
mind of the artists creates the music we listen to, and when that music is
created with genuine love of the sound, it helps bring energy and positive
feelings as it connects with the listener. There is not much more to say but,
if you truly feel the heart and soul of what has been put into the music you
hear, it can’t help but uplift you and bring you true joy.
Let me be perfectly honest here,
it’s very hard to put into words how good this album is, in fact in trying to
sum up what I felt overall, it was like I’m saying goodbye to an old friend, it
actually brought up emotions that made me just stop for a minute. So, overall,
what this said to me was this; all of us, as we journey through life, have
moments we can look back on as key moments and artists will have a release that
they look back on as the crowning achievement, something that defines their
career, and I think that Libra is that defining moment for Whirlwind D!
LIBRA has this Yin Yang element to
it that shows two sides of the same coin. On the one side you have the upbeat
fun loving music that is uplifting for us all to listen to, brought to us on
the Grey Matter side, then, with the Dark Matter side, you get the serious side
of the music that reflects the harsh realities of life and working hard to
provide for the family while still seeking to nurture the creative side that
wants to bring good music to the world, and to uplift as much to inform and
educate.
LIBRA has it all, it shows
Whirlwind D as his peak creatively bringing every aspect of what he enjoys
about music, to the forefront. Not only that but, everything here is delivered
in a way that connects with the listener. It is easy for anyone hearing this to
relate to everything that is laid out here, and not just that but, you can
literally feel that connection, you can feel the love and dedication he has to
giving the audience something truly entertaining and enjoyable, and does mean
listening and understanding those harsh realities, because if you didn’t have
those, you would not be able to truly understand the positive messages, you
have to have balance and Whirlwind D delivers balance to the next level.
Part of what makes LIBRA so
special is that Whirlwind D works with producers and artists who he respects
and who are friends as much as they are guests. They all bring out the best in
each other, you get the sense that this is really about family. I say that
because if you have ever been to a Hip Hop event, a B-Line Recordings event and
so on, there is that feeling that you are all part of one big family, something
that is the essence of Hip Hop Culture and I feel that it is that essence which
contributes to why this album is so special. That is also reflected in the
album artwork from John Dyer, who has captured the concept of the album
perfectly on the cover.
I had better round things up now
or we’ll be here forever.
For me LIBRA is truly going to be
one of the Hip Hop albums of 2023, hands down. I have no doubt it will become
an instant classic as it has everything you could want from a Hip Hop album. I
have heard the word, defining, used about this album but, I think it runs
deeper than that, I really think this album shows creative excellence and a
desire to give a lasting piece of art to the world that people will enjoy for
as long as there is music…
I have to say it has been a true
honour to have the chance to review this incredible album. My humble thanks to
Whirlwind D for allowing me to review this album so early on, and for sending
me one of the first copies to land.
LIBRA is released on 1st September through B-Line Recordings and Hip Hop Be Bop, so check the links below on the day...
I’m out, till next time,
See Ya.
Steve
LINKS
Get your copy of LIBRA from Hip Hop Be Bop:
Whirlwind D on Bandcamp:
https://whirlwindd.bandcamp.com/
Whirlwind D on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/solidnmindrap
Official VIDEOS
When Its Fast
Lucky Number
