“Better than what, better than who, better than me? I'm better than you." That is the message that cannons across Rapid's grime-blitz, where Jahmek Power reels off a stunning list of MCs, most of whom you could say he helped mould into the artists they are today. Because of all the words you could use to characterize the legend that is Jammer, pioneer is probably one of the most accurate and indeed appropriate terms to use. Musically inclined from his younger days working in record shops during one of British music's greatest periods (where crews such as So Solid and other garage and house acts dominated chart positions) Jammer would emerge from crews such as the self-formed 187 and N.A.S.T.Y to bring you 'Jahmanji,' an album that's been on the cards for almost a decade.
The criteria needed to master 'that' album release requires that artists truly relate to the music they're making and no one could try to take that away from Jammer, with opening track ‘The Beginning’ creating a picture of his career so far and with lyrics such as: “This is the life that I'm living," followed by: "Forget all of the hype, I brought you Lord Of The Mics, D Double E with Birds In Da Sky, K-A-N-O, Wiley, Ghetto." The moody toned opening is belittled by upbeat dance rhythms such as ‘Party Animal,’ production on that front provided by Sheffield based man-of-the-moment Toddla T, who is part responsible also for ‘Back To The 90s,’ another tremendous collaboration between the pair, this time utilising the popular elements of UK music's golden ravers era with Jammer's reminiscent lyrical skill.
Jammer is also noted for his production skills which have seen a plethora of vinyl released, ‘Murkle Mode’ uses various different sounds including pianos and various other electric wonders whilst ‘Duppy Them’ works similarly with its firework-like bursts of sci-fi sounds and patterns. Elsewhere, features on the album include the Newham Generals, of whom Jammer’s been working with for a very long time, D Double E for the better part of ten years plus touring with them all worldwide on the Dirtee Stank tour. Footsie and D Double's input is made known on ‘Badmind People,’ also featuring reggae vocalist Likkle J, a nice vibed melody which is perfectly handled by all involved. ‘The One For Me’ features Jammin and Frisco, a tune suitable for the sometimes overlooked R&G (rhythm and grime) labelled sub-genre, perhaps also a label you could give ‘One Too Many’ featuring A-list singer Kivanch, an amusing tale of a Jammer night out.
Overall, it’s extremely hard to deny this album's sheer brilliance. What sets it apart from the mixtapes, the vinyl's and the freestyles could be credited to the whole professional feel attached to it: the versatile production which ranges from names such as Red Light to Rapid, the choruses provided by people such as Shiv Lizzy and Camalot and most noticeable, the solo input from Jammer himself.
Words: Frankie Frank
Online editing: Joseph 'JP' Patterson
