Kano

Kano

East London's Kane Robinson...returns. He rose from the underground scene to the mainstream with the release of his single 'Typical Me' back in 2005 and there was massive hype around this hot London MC back then. In September Kano drops his latest offering, 'London Town'. Now, I have to say I was a big fan of his last release, 'Home Sweet Home', and it was so encouraging to see a UK MC producing tracks like "P's & Q's" and 'Typical Me".


"London Town" is a very mixed album on first listening. Kano describes the sound as 'Like grime, just a little slower', but that's only true of some of the tracks. The album has alot of different flavours to it. You've got your Hip Hop tune with a big splash of poppy RnB in "This Is The Girl". The track is a straight pop track, but Kano flows well, and yes Craig David appears with a new look, but same dulcet tones. It's funny, I don't hate it as much as I thought I would, not quite what I expected from a Kano album, but it's decent enough.

Then you have a big slice of dancehall/bashment/garage in 'Buss It Up' featuring Vybz Kartel. *sigh* How I miss this stuff man. This is what I love, there is nothing better than dancing like crazy to some good heavy bashment! When that beat comes on, you can't help but move. Kano does his thing well here, and it's spiced up with Vybz who most definitely does buss it up buss it up BUSS IT UP! Vybz and Kano just wreck the beat, I love it. Kano keeps his flow tight throughout, a really energetic track.

There are a couple of slower serious tracks on the album, one being 'The Production of my environment". As the hook says 'it was the streets that raised me, streets that paid me, streets that made me a product of my environment'. The beat is dark, and serious. Kano recognises he is an influential figure to the youth right now, and knows where he came from, and that gives him the determination and hunger for what he does now. His flow is sharp, hot on the beat. At the end of the track, Kano eases up saying he makes 'Tunes you'd say braap to.' Ahh, most definitely a product of London then!

The other more serious track is "London Town ". Another raw beat, I love this one too. London Town, sees Kano 'still hustling, cos the struggle ain't over now'. His sound proves he still has his ear to the street. Speaking on London Town, and how things are run there, 'n****'s, don't f**k around'. The track manages to paint an image for you of London, with guns in the hands of the youth, and tells of how you have to be tough and not give a f**k, etc. The beat switches up near the end, and Kano lets you check out his oldskool flow. Dope stuff, still coming with the clever wordplay.

The track "Bad Boy" is an addictive track. 'Bad boys inna London, rude boys inna England!' The track's about Kano, and him being a bad boy...as so so many boys are there in London....! Bad boys treating their women mean, and keeping them keen. The track tells of how a bad boy is out to 'get get get', and how they don't need any girls that won't give it up ....for champagne, or just want to mess their flow....hmm. As the chorus goes 'I know you ain't easy, but you know that you dealing with a bad boy'. Despite this, I still like this track purely because of the samples and in particular the influence from Shy FX's drum and bass collabo with UK Apache, the massive club hit 'Original Nuttah'. A testosterone fueled track for sure, but then I suppose Hip Hop is. Status, what you are, what a player is; if your a bad boy, this track is for you. Still, a pretty sick track.

"Fight The Nation" is an mellow acoustic track, which sees Kano don his singers hat. A solid effort, which I guess has been done in a way that would appeal to fans across the board. It also goes to show that Kano can branch out, which is always a good thing. This track is like Kano's testament to his thoughts on the world surrounding him, from kids to 'guns and ammunition'. Packed with real lyrics like: 'If I ain't using my status to make a change, I ain't ever making kids.' Shows you that he wants to make a difference. Also this line: 'A wise man told me, Kane listen, if you want to fly like an eagle, you can't fly with pigeons', has that subtlety inspiring feel.

"Feel Free" is another collaboration on the album bringing a lil alternative feel. This time it features Damon Albarn, and the beat feels like it could have been lifted straight from the Gorillaz last album. Keeping the Gorillaz theme mixes with Kano's style well. In fact..the more I listen to this track, the more it grows on you. Albarn lays down some sweet vocals too.

"Sleep Tight" is a piano ballad. At first, I thought that the album wouldn't miss this track, but after several listens, I can see that 'Sleep Tight' does have a place on it. The vocals, although whiny work well. Still not an immediate favourite of mine, it made it on the album, and it works.

"Me & My Micropohone" On first hearing Miss Nash singing on this track, all I hear is Lily Allen...I'm not sure I'm really feeling Lily or Kate, but I'd give them a chance. Kate does a good job fitting her vocals into the crazy beat. Kano's lively, and flows well on this track, biting a few lines here and there, the track reminisces about the old days in style.

The track "Over and Over" is similar to 'The Prodution of My Environment'. Nice looped beat, this is Kano spitting tight words, words from his life, and smart lyrics, this is why we like the London boy. It also has the guy who was on the Street's "Dry Your Eyes", I forget his name. Finally, "This is My Life" I like this track alot. Again, Kano is on point with his frank lyrics about his life in the music industry. A touch of soul added to make the sound complete. A fine way to end the album.

The album goes through a few styles from start to finish, which makes it a change from his past releases. Beginning with Hip Hop and eventually ending with a little soul, and passing alot of styles in between. With a fair few collabo's on this album, Kano shows that he is a versatile artist and is capable of producing good music whatever the flavour, which is sure to benefit him in the future. London Town shows a growth in his lyricism and flow. In every track you can hear the passion and hunger that was there from the start, and that's what makes this album great. Kano certainly does deliver.

You can listen to some of the tracks in the post above :)