I suspect many folks are going to find it tricky to make this album out. I’ve been told it’s too Sean Paul (well Sean Paul’s seems to be doing OK?). And then, because YT’s tackled so many reggae ‘genres’, they say it’s like Sean Paul doing a best of reggae album of the last 20 years if he lived in the UK. Blimey, they’re no pleasing some folks!

Perhaps it’s a backlash to Big Brother’s Aisleyne ridiculous Regent’s Park Estate patios but remember, it’s all about the music at the end of the day. Even if YT’s mum lives in Ipswich and knows YT as Mark Hull, he’s put together a great ‘British’ reggae album here.

The mix of roots, reggae, pop, dancehall styles shows us his versatility and in some ways, it might be too good as the fear would be that it’ll fall between the ‘if it’s not from Jamaica, it can’t be any good’ camp and “the most happening thing in reggae at the moment is UB40’s 25th anniversary tour.” And YT himself knows this and fair play to him as he bangs it out UK style.

Actually, I’ve no idea what UB40 did for their 25th birthday but I guess there was/will be a world tour of some sort. I wouldn’t bother with them but would recommend investing in YT along with the Don of UK reggae DJ’s David ‘Ramjam’ Rodigan who is a big fan.

Back in the midst of time Rodigan was the DJ to listen to and whilst we respected his selecta abilities, you had to listen through some Lovers Rock to get the hard stuff. Like this album, there’s a bit of the soft stuff like ‘Longtime’ and the lovers ‘Special Delivery’ you have to get through to get the hard stuff. And like in the 70s, YT is not afraid of the subject of politics and religion on ‘Wicked Act’ that covers suicide bombers; respect to Bob Marley as there’s more to reggae than just wearing a t-shirt.

Talking of 70s, the anti-Barbie doll plastic surgery cry for natural unenhanced females on ‘Real Girl’ with an adaptation of the classic Abyssinians ‘Declaration of Rights’; stand up for no nip’n’tuck.

The most obvious track is the ragga-UK slang of, ‘Innit’ which is more of a ‘single of the week’ as there are better tracks, like ‘Real Life’ that could have been a Misty In Roots cover and ‘Mind’ bounces around and is top DJ track.

Not so keen on the soft jungle of ‘Surround You’ or roll call of reggae greats on ‘England Storey’ but that’s a minor gripe. There’s going to be more Y to the T coverage with British mash-up bashment that’s got YT booked for colorations with The Prodigy and De La Soul. Talking of guests, he’s got dancehall queen ARP to appear on ‘Right Time’ and the monstrous beatbox of Horseman on ‘Ain’t No Stopping’; so good Bobby McFerrin would be impressed!

YT is about to blow and everyone will want a piece of him. YT is unique and hopefully more than just a one album wonder.

There’s so much UK reggae at the moment, like the J Star remix of ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ and Serocee (more of which to come), it’s time to get outernational and YT is ready to lead the way.

Hectic Mix nominations - ‘Wicked Act’, Mind’ & ‘Domestic Affair’

Reviewed: YT - Straight Outta Britain (Sativa Records UK) Cat. No. MC5109CD Release date: June 2006
Tracklisting:
1 - Joe Lickshot - Album Intro
2 - YT - Real Life
3 - YT - Mind
4 - YT Feat Luciano - Longtime
5 - YT - Innit
6 - YT Feat Patchino - Special Delivery
7 - Joe Lickshot - Intro
8 - YT - Wicked Act
9 - YT - Real Girl
10 - YT - Surround You
11 - YT Feat Bongo Chilli - Domestic Affair
12 - YT - England Story
13 - YT Feat A.R.P - Right Time
14 - Joe Lickshot - Intro
15 - YT Feat JD - - YT
16 - YT Feat Horseman - Aint No Stopping

Links:
www.sativarecords.com
David “Ramjam” Rodigan
www.ub40.co.uk
www.aisleynehorganwallace.com