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Review: Potent Whisper 'Love - The Mix Tape'
RnB/Hip Hop | Monday 6th October 2014 | Osh
These are exciting, prolific times for South London's lyrical son, Potent Whisper.
Once championed as ‘The future of UK music’ by the legendary Rebel MC (aka Conga Natty), the multi-talented Potent is flowing forward with great momentum; there's the creative flow of killer singles, accompanying music videos, major radio play, diverse and high-profile collaborations, performances from the Tate Modern to Wembley Arena, charity work, interviews for American TV, as well as a spoken word series, a play and short films in the making.
But firstly there's the crucial matter of Potent's long-awaited 'Love: The Mix Tape'.
Both his previous major releases, the five-track 'Meta Phor-Play' EP and 'The 1 EP' were warmly embraced by the Hip Hop community in the UK. We have no doubt that 'Love: The Mix Tape' will be more than embraced; it will be blaring out of flats and car speakers for a long while to come.
On offer here is a collection of perfectly measured collaborations and contrasts, providing a showcase both for Potent's own prodigious talents and for his dazzling array of diverse collaborators; Congo Natty, Floetic Lara, Yemi Bolatiwa, Nanci Correia, Tenchoo, Zina Jaza (with producers Wu-Lu, Dirty Sanz, D' Vo, Major Keys, Sleepy Time Ghost, Harry Crotch and Ross Sinclair).
All of that provides great flavour and keeping the dynamics interesting, but it's Potent Whisper himself that remains the central attraction, with his intense lyricism and his potent understanding of language and its power.
We kick off with the Wu-Lu produced 'Do That', featuring the unique, flowing talents of Floetic Lara; a perfect example of Potent's distinctive style of socially informed lyricism embedded in a top quality production. Potent and Floetic Lara make an irresistible combo, also joining forces on 'Just Wondering' - the epic-sounding anti-war anthem that gained particular coverage earlier this year when it was celebrated by the Stop the War coalition, even spawning a documentary behind the meaning of the song. 'What’s violence?' Potent raps on the track, 'How would you define it? Isn’t it support of a war if we’re silent?'.
At its best, 'Love: The Mix Tape' has the heart and soul of music that matters; British Hip Hop of substance, underpinned by super-charged lyrics and Potent's classy brand of erudite word-play.
The anti-war theme is echoed further on the Dirty Stanz produced 'Between The Lines' featuring the vocals of Nanci Correia. Bittersweet and emotive, it feels like a sister track to 'Just Wondering'.
Another Dirty Stanz prodcution, ''MYNIB' features the UK battle-rapper Tenchoo and is a badass tune with a hard-hitting, film-soundtrack production quality. 'Potent Vs. Whisper' also has that film soundtrack quality and is one of the big highlights, with its evocative production and Gothic feel giving it special gravity, sounding like a righteous call to arms.
Another Wu-Lu produced entry, 'Sacrifice', finds a rich, exotic-sounding vein, aided by achingly beautiful backing vocals. 'How Wonderful', featuring singer Chloe, is probably the most mass-appeal track and already sounds like a summer time classic. With its feel-good factor, super-sweet vocals and harmonies, and its upbeat, reggae-influenced instrumental, it has all the hallmarks of a great single.
Singer Yemi Bolatiwa of the Nomadic Soul Collective guests on another highlight; the highly praised single 'Move In The Moonlight'. With its Spannish Arab-esque guitar and Bolawiwa's gorgeous vocals, ‘Move in the Moonlight’ depicts a 'forbidden love' motif, a story of two lovers only able to meet in secret and embrace in dance. Check out the video below.
And just when you might think the best has already come, 'The Boom Bap Bounce' closes things up in glorious style. Produced by Wu-Lu and featuring Rebel MC along with singer Nancy Correia, this is the ultimate adrenaline-pumping (and addictive) way to sign off. Originally produced as an anthem for the Boom Bap Festival, many of you might already be familiar with it. The tempo shift into jungle mode about halfway through is still a genius sucker-punch even when you're listening to it for the fourth or fifth time.
With everything else the prolific Potent is getting up to at home and abroad, we hope it doesn't distract him from continuing to craft out music as good as this.
