As usual I have left listening to this EP to the last minute. And boy am I kicking myself. This guy is a straight-up bad man and I should have been banging these tunes for the last month now.
On my first listen I was happy to say that Natty is the UK Jahdan Blakkamore. Now that might be a great comparison and all, but Natty really does have his own vibe and style.
This is a conscious EP, heavy on the bass and quite steppy, with an acoustic number tagged on at the end for good measure. I have always said I prefer more dub than step in my dubstep, and this EP delivers that. Natty has a great voice and flow and doesn’t put on the Patois voice too heavily which is a refreshing change. He delivers a somewhat political message in his lyrical content, but in saying that it still has a feel good vibe about it.
This relative newcomer has already accomplished a few milestones in his career – a full-length album, an American tour with Ziggy Marley, and the use of the Tuff Gong studios in J.A. This E.P is mostly produced by Natty himself between his North London home and the Tuff Gong Studios, something not to be scoffed at.
Although I can listen to this EP in it’s entirety, I do have my favourites. ‘Change V&P Mix’ featuring Alborosie and Busy Signal is hands down my favorite. However I just can’t get past the Wyclef/Spearhead sound of ‘Little Izzy’ – I feel Natty has so much more to give than this run of the mill pop/acoustic, thrashed to death sound.
There are some heavy bangers on here and this EP is well worth a listen. I am waiting to hear some more from Natty as I think he has a lot more to give and is only just scratching the surface of his talent, as you can see from some of his other work.
I am a big fan of the UK sound and Natty is making his place within that. Turn the bass up and get your skank on.
3.5 out of 5.
Bless.
Danny2Chains
