Veteran UK MC Ty may have decided that Awkward was an appropriate title for his debut album, but the contents tell a different story: over a diverse collection of tracks that share little more than a classic feel, Ty reveals himself as an assured, confident rapper with vision--and with the skills to realise it. A scenester who hosts London's monthly Lyrical Lounge club night, Ty's been honing his skills for years. Drawing from classic soul, funk, jazz-vibe and afro-beat, the sound here bears the wisdom of his long wait. Taking hints from various influences, the style shifts throughout, here an echo of Pete Rock or De La Soul, there a bit of Gangstarr's Guru or EPMD. It's an enviable blend that never descends into rote imitation--he's internalised the cadences of his forebears, and made them a part of his own repertoire. Ty's lyrical interests are as diverse as his musical tastes: "Zaibo" features references to Brian Eno and Joe Pesci in the same couplet (and a Fela Kuti-worthwhile chorus); in "Ghetto Perspective", the "five year repeat college dropout" gives props to Wuthering Heights. It's a shame that albums like this are rarely appreciated in their own time, but with such a timeless vibe, Awkward could be around to stay. --Randy Silver
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