Debut album, Nottingh”Am Just Thinkin” April 2010 (UK)

”Rap music is the most literate form of music today” sited one Mark E. Smith during an edition of Snub TV way back in 1990. Two decades on and the same assertion can still be easily made. That Britain has consistently produced some of the very best is engineered by prevailing change and our environment. The art still has to be delivered though. So much time is spent with the trepidation and self-conscientious in the wanton worry of being pretentious or thought of being glib. I say be brave enough to be pretentious, how else would you go about transcending it? Make your first record flag bearing, stated and brilliant. At just twenty years of age with a sparkle in his eyes 2Tone has turned down the lights, sorted the introductions and we are in. Nottingh”Am Just Thinkin” is the debut long player from Nottingham born rapper David. Sixteen songs that chart the journey and the rise made hitherto. It is an effort forged more with insight rather than complaint and like any great record, not just specifically from this genre, but music in general, it flows with a natural coherence keeping the discerning ear intrigued from start to finish. Amazingly there are no fewer than seven different producers tending to duties, shaping the beauty of the whole affair placed with numerous associates and friends lending lip service and vocal attributes. Nothing is over-populated, everything is embellished, present and correct. Check the opening electro thrill chase of 2 Smooth featuring Tayla Jade which opens proceedings perfectly. From here on in 2Tone doesn’t leave any area spared and we are talking the kitchen sink here; stated loss (Dad Cum Back), fucking off to somewhere in the sun (See The World) and of course sleazy but fun proposals (My Women) built around what could easily be tagged as an acid house squeak. Honest. Then there is his pop missive in ’Superman’ gloriously soaked in spacey, halcyon synths, which could easily become his ’Umbrella’ and a ballsy, untethered recognition of his Ghanaian origins ’Roots’ which is heavy in deliverance, optimistic in its quest. Unity being the desire. Nottingh”Am Just Thinkin” is an accomplished, deft and very fine debut. Nottingham just bore us a brand new and fine Son. Peace, put it on a poster