Dan French reviews Eminem’s new opus ‘Recovery’ for MistaJam.com

I guess I’ve been a ‘hip-hop fan’ since just before Eminem released the Slim Shady LP and that was the album that really suddenly made me aware of hip-hop in the mainstream. I don’t remember hearing of this Eminem fella on my ‘Now 30′ compilation… so I investigated, and since then I never looked back!

So eleven years on, and this is his latest offering titled ‘Recovery’.

The most striking thing upon first glance at the tracklist is the startling lack of any other MC’s on the album. There are three singers; in punk pop queen Pink, Rihanna aka everything she touches turns platinum and an unknown singer named Kobe. However there is only one rapper, which just so happens to be the flavour of the month, well year I guess, Lil’ Wayne.

This was a great move, as so often people pick up albums just to see the features, and I know we’ve all been guilty at times of wanting to skip right to these features, missing out on a lot of core content to the rest of the album!

The next thing to bear in mind is the production. This is the first album Eminem has done where he strays away from the Dr Dre beats that are often littered across all his previous albums. He primarily uses totally new producers he’s not worked with before, which mainly include ‘super’ producer Just Blaze, Aftermath affiliate DJ Khalil and what could be the next big thing Boi-1da.

I’ve listened to this album now countless times over and over, and I’ve still only just noticed certain punchlines and wordplay that I never noticed before. The album is completely littered with them, sometimes they are so in your face you find yourself chuckling away, other times they are so subtle you think you heard one, but wasn’t sure, replayed the song and then nodded to yourself for being so smart in hearing it. A true fan you quietly mumble to yourself.

The stand out tracks for myself would certainly be ‘No Love’ ft. Lil’ Wayne, produced by Just Blaze. You’ll recognize the sample from Haddaway’s ‘What is Love’ from the early 90′s, and on it Eminem lays what is probably the most memorable verse on the album and one that is quite probably the most memorable from him in quite some time. Think of his ‘Drop the World’ verse and times by ten.

Another has to be the Kobe track, ‘Talkin to Myself’ which has a heavy guitar rift and Eminem opens up about where he has been the past while, saying how close he was to starting feuds with both Wayne and Kanye for hogging the spotlight he believed rightfully belonged to him. He also addresses his last two albums, stating “Encore I was on drugs, Relapse I was flushing them out” which I think is refreshing to hear someone admit they were not at their finest, and attempt to right those wrongs.

Eminem is one of those guys who always wants to better himself. This album is one of those times, and just when you glaze over the album and think it’s quite good, you listen again and find there’s another track you enjoy, or another very clever verse you manage to decipher.

One of the most introspective tracks is the ode to Proof, ‘You’re Not Over’ another Just Blaze produced track. This is Eminem really opening up, and he’s admitted before he can’t sing (Think ‘Hailey’s Song’ on The Eminem Show) but he gives it a go, which some people have criticized. I personally feel that this is just his way of really expressing his emotion. He doesn’t do it often, and as on Hailey’s Song he does it to show his love for his little girl, and in this instance for his deceased best friend. It’s a great song filled with emotion.

Other tracks to really watch out for are the Black Sabbath sampled ‘Goin Through Changes’, lead single ‘Not Afraid’, laid back ‘Space Bound’ and with one of the strongest beats on the album ‘Cinderella Man’.

Overall, I urge you to listen, not just if you’re an Eminem fan trying to see if he’s fallen off ala Shyne/DMX, or whether you’re a hip-hop fan hoping he’s back to his best, or even if you’re just a fan of music overall, give this a chance. Then give it another, I guarantee you by the third listen you’ll have at least four tracks you love and plenty more you’ll like.

Take what you heard on Relapse, and forget about it. This time Eminem is back not just for his fans, but for the whole world to sit up and take note, you can’t keep a good man down.

Recovery hits UK stores on Monday 21st June.

Review by Dan French
Edited by Luca & MistaJam
Image from Team Supreme

Lots of “WTF??” moments including Jeremih being nominated for Best R&B before he’s even released a record in the UK; Dublin’s Laura Izibor being nominated in the Best UK newcomer category; Dizzee’s “Bonkers” not being nominated in the Best Song category and Drake being nominated in 2 categories (look, while Drake is definitely the future of HipHop, the nomination feels a little premature as it comes before any official release…)

Then there were a good few surprising but for the right reason moments including Donae’o getting a nomination for Best UK Act; my boy Bashy getting 2 nominations (Best UK Act & Best Album for “Catch Me If You Can”) and JLS getting a nomination for best song for “Beat Again” (we all know it was my remix that got them the nomination!) and of course me being nominated in the Best DJ category. Yes, you read it correctly:

I’ve been nominated for a MOBO in the Best DJ Category!!!

It’s my first MOBO nomination and as I’m sure you can imagine, I’m overly chuffed! I remember watching the first MOBOs on TV wishing I was there & dreaming of winning an award. Now, I’m nominated and it’s a possibility I could win.

I’m up against some very stiff competition including a couple of legendary DJs who have inspired me in the past and more than a couple of colleagues (full list below) but if you feel like you like what I do on the radio, in the club and on the blogs please register here or click on the picture and vote for the youngest DJ nominated in 2009!

And remember, a vote for me is a vote for the underground! Find out who wins what on 30th September 2009.

Here are the main MOBO Award 2009 nominations:

Best HipHop Act:

Dizzee Rascal, Drake, Chipmunk, Eminem & Kanye West

Best Album:

Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreaks, Tinchy Stryder – Catch 22, Bashy – Catch Me If U Can, Beyonce – I Am Sasha Fierce, N Dubz – Uncle B

Best R&B/Soul Act:

Beverley Knight, Ciara, Jeremih, Keri Hilson, Lemar

Best Song:

JLS – Beat Again, Chipmunk – Diamond Rings, KIG – Heads, Shoulders Knees & Toes, Tinchy Stryder & N Dubz – Number 1, N Dubz – Strong Again

Best Video:

Dizzee Rascal – Bonkers, Alesha Dixon – The Boy Does Nothing, Chipmunk ft Emeli Sande – Diamond Rings, Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), Mr Hudson ft Kanye West – Supernova

Best International Act:

Akon, Beyonce, Ciara, Drake, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Lady Gaga

Best UK Act:

Alesha Dixon, Bashy, Beverley Knight, Chipmunk, Dizzee Rascal, Ironik, Donae’o, Mr Hudson, N Dubz & Tinchy Stryder

Best UK Newcomer:

Alexandra Burke, Jade Ewen, JLS, Laura Izibor, Master Shortie

Best Reggae:

Mavado, Sean Paul, Serani, Tarrus Riley, Vybz Kartel

Best DJ:

Westwood, Trevor Nelson, Semtex, Shortee Blitz, Manny Norte, Steve Sutherland, Sarah Love, Rickie & Melvin, Ras Kwame, Masterstepz, Target & Me!