100% Publishing - Wiley (Review)

More work from Mind Of Grime.  Really getting into writing now, definite career direction!!

"To give credit where it’s due, without Wiley’s pioneering in the early days we wouldn’t have the scene we all know and love today. His innovation and experimentation with the sound maintains itself as the foundation of modern-day grime. However, Eskiboy stills remains a somewhat complex character. After establishing his trademark sound in the underground (along with a bizarre reputation for not turning up to scheduled appearances), he hit mainstream success with “Wearing My Rolex” and followed that up with the lackluster “See Clear Now” album, a project he openly slated himself. After that, it became a question of how and when he would bounce back.

Last year’s dispute with his record label resulted in the free download of over 200 tracks in his “Zip Files”. Amongst others, these contained the advanced stages of what was set to be his full album release on the label, “The Elusive”. This featured his more recent chart successes ”Never Be Your Woman” and “Take That”, along with some of his strongest work in a while culminating in what was my standout track, “What They Want” – an apparent statement of intent where Wiley declares he knows what the fans want to hear – grime! Backed up with other releases in the months that followed, such as “The Radio Kid”, the Flava D produced “I Got The Vibe” and the release ”Offload Vol.1″ earlier this year, it seemed that Eskiboy had finally returned to his winning formula.

With all of this in mind, “100% Publishing” comes as somewhat of a shock to the system. As the album name suggests, this was meant to be Wiley’s pet project; he recorded, produced and mastered every track and more importantly, had the overriding say as to what made it on to the final tracklist. This is echoed in a line from the hook of the title track when he says, “…I know some don’t care about the grime scene but I’m gonna ’til I die”. Coupled with some big bars and signature Eskiboy sounding beat, if this had kicked off the album, you would have been forgiven for thinking that this was going to be his return to the forefront of the scene.
However, instead we are introduced to the new project with the almost amateur lines, “If I want an answer to my question I just type it into google/ the information age could lead me to my chicken noodles”. For someone of Wiley’s calibre, this is certainly risky business. Sadly, this isn’t the only occasion that Wiley’s offering is sub-par. “Boom Boom Da Na” sees him completely flip Julius Fucik’s oddly titled “Entry Of The Gladiators” (the classic circus music) to great effect. With his delivery on fine form over an infectious beat, he almost ruins the track with the lazy signing/humming of the melody for the makeshift chorus.

Despite this, there are several highlights that salvage the album. “Your Intuition” and “Up There” find Wiley at his most honest and open. “Your Intuition” addresses his battle with his conscience and choices he made in the past that dented his musical progression. Similarly, “Up There” focuses on his personal motivations and his determination to take him “…right up there with the best”. “One Hit Wonder” and to some extent “To Be Continued” are the rare opportunities to catch a glimpse of Wiley at his energetic best. Whilst neither of the beats are exactly the grimiest, both tracks offer a release for his bravado and somewhat confrontational tones.

Over the last few years, more and more people have started to suggest that Wiley is gradually becoming over-rated and not carrying the same relevance he held in his heyday. Personally, I’m a big fan and I think that when he’s in his element, you’ll be hard pressed to find someone on his level. However, his latest offering has come as a disappointment to me. “100% Publishing” is a very experimental and eclectic release. Whilst music fans will no doubt appreciate the sonic variety of the piece, the die-hard grime contingent and Wiley fan base won’t be embracing it with open arms. With a reputation as big as his, alongside the quality of recent work, you would have expected something completely different or at least to carry a more grime led atmosphere from given his appointed status as ‘Godfather’ of the scene.

Despite my reservations, any new Wiley material should to be added to the collection so hit up http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/100-publishing-bonus-track/id440406348 and decide for yourself."