'What Is Wrong With People Tim Though'?

A very unoriginal post today. Never mind.

Tim Westwood telephone interview with Wiley


I've been neglecting Westwood TV recently. Time, lack of inspiring artists, that sort of thing. However, here, Westwood talks to Wiley about his supposed death in a Hackney alleyway. The subject is quashed pretty quickly, and Wiley has 'learned' not to loiter down alleyways in recent times. No advantages of hanging around in alleyways currently come to mind, so it can only be a good thing that he doesn't engage in such antics now.

The link to the original, false 'story' has been taken down, but Bluntwun came with some evidence that was pretty irrefutable:

'So I heard about this news story happening and if they... didn't use Thames Valley Police statement for a Hackney based murder (lol), this could've been somewhat more believeable'

In the name of a certain Wiley instrumental - Bang Bang.

Westwood is a bit insincere in this telephone interview, contrasting to the approach of Ras 'hate is entrenched in our society' Kwame, but the mood lifted the morbid talk into something a bit more fruitful. Westwood's question regarding Eskibeat Recordings revealed that there's a project in the pipeline. I'll believe it when I see it.

Another good question was asked amidst the talk of Hummers, which was the albeit slightly cliche what do you want to be best known for. Just so that we all know when you actually do die. He's done so much in his career, but his pride in Where's My Brother is revealing. It still puts a smile on my face when I hear it played by Logan and other DJs, and it's definitely one of the best Wiley tracks I've heard.
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Part of the track's appeal is the issue of who's Wiley's brother. All will be revealed on the video to Where's My Brother, which should be landing in early 2009.

'This Weren't Made In Taiwan It's A UK Brand'

I can't lie. I'm a fan of free downloads, and Wiley - Mixtape Master, mixed by DJ Furious, is one of the latest that's doing the rounds now, adding to his archives which include the 2 Fast 2 Furious and Rhythm and Grime collections.

Mixtape Master is a good summary of the Tunnel Vision series, which admittedly I haven't listened to in a while. In the unlikely event that you care, the mix consists of 48 tracks and beats, running to a total of 72:27. The mix is comprehensive enough given the 6 volume output of the Tunnel Vision series and, despite quite a few of the Tunnel Visions being disappointing, this mix shows that there was good material on there. He's Too Much is a slept-on banger, and the numerous war dubs provide comedy in the way only Wiley can provide it.

The mix is decent, with an emphasis on selection that was generally good. Flying was a huge tune to drop at the end, the mix going out on a high, and providing pure vibes against Wiley not slewing Stormin's face but being a 'defender' of it. There's so many beats and vocals to choose from, but my wait to hear Dragon Stout for the first time in ages unfortunately continues.

Still, the instrumentals were the highlight, and it was nice to hear some relative rarities in Snowman, the When I'm 'Ere Remix, and Ice Cream Man Remix. In Eskimo, Ice Rink, and Igloo, the mix has the Eskibeat classics that arguably represent the pinnacle of any producer's achievement in this genre.

Download on Rapidshare
Download on Sendspace

'If You Haven't Got A Vision Then Fam Where You Goin'

He may have been ruthlessly upstaged by the old guy with the loafers on the Movement Documentary, but Semtex's blog isn't bad and I might just have a look at it sometimes. I had a brief look earlier, and saw that Wiley's forthcoming album, See Clear Now, has been delayed until January 2009. Bravely ignoring the fact that Semtex was probably right, what with his contacts in the scene and all, I looked on play.com and the worst of nightmares was confirmed.

Unlucky if you pre-ordered.

It's not that long to wait, but all the same I was eager to hear what the final product would sound like. With January and a new year not being far away, it's unlikely the CD will be changed, so hopefully lots of people will buy the tracks and download them onto their new and shiny ipods, and that youngsters will get the CD with the tenner they got from their auntie Sally. And so on.

I don't know if there will be any repercussions, since the delay isn't that long, added to the fact I'm not sure of the anticipation for See Clear Now, but it doesn't sit that well in the process that's led up to the album's release. Surely someone could have had a eureka-moment and realised that yeah, Christmas isn't long after November 10, maybe we should take this into account, rather than giving a date and not sticking to it.

I'm not that fussed really. Even if the title track is ridiculously catchy. As long it doesnt affect Race Against Time, which it shouldn't, then I'll be happy.