Skinnyman - Council Estate of Mind - Album Review

20 September 2004

**Skinnyman

Council Estate of Mind**

Skinnyman is one of the originals from the UK hip hop scene. It has been a travesty that he hasn’t been in a situation to receive mass recognition already. But like all good things we finally have ‘Council Estate of Mind’ released on Low Life Records.

This album is genuine hip hop and Skinnyman is one the UK’s best MC’s. Originally from Leeds but moved to London from a young age his commentary is about social issues from a working class

perspective. His lyrics are excellent and delivered to precision. Skinnyman has always been known to be a good freestyler and this shows on this record. There’s real maturity to style, his conviction is genuine and his rhyme play is superb. Throughout this album we have sampled commentary about issues of correction for delinquents. This is quite unique and thought provoking and uniquely British. 'Fuck The Hook’ opens the music for the album and this is as big as it gets, UK or American. The hook is solid, powerfully rhythmical and Skinnyman delivers with serious energy and nice rhymes. There’s all sorts going on in this album. From the smooth style of ‘Love’s Gone From The Streets’ to the punchy ‘No Big Ting’, or the classy ‘I’ll Be Surprised’. This goes to show that Skinnyman has skills to move in all manner of hip hop styles and it all works.

‘Council Estate of Mind’ is a classic album. There’s real depth, genuine thought and quality hip hop here. It’s the kind of album you can keep listening to over and over again and it’s this kind of genuine music that will have mass appeal to all music lovers.

http://www.lowliferecords.co.uk

Tareck Ghoneim