Ty - Upwards

Title: Upwards Artist: Ty Release Date: 3/9/2004 Re-Released On: 5/3/2004 Label: Big Dada Album Type(s): Enhanced CD-ROM UPCs: 5021392057828, 625978405727, 5021392057835 Genre: Rap Styles: British Rap, Underground Rap Moods: Literate, Self-Conscious, Uplifting, Confident, Freewheeling, Rousing, Boisterous, Earnest, Energetic, Exuberant, Playful, Poignant, Rollicking, Sophisticated, Thoughtful, Uncompromising, Witty Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 1 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Ha Ha
2. Mpho's Lament (Skit)
3. Wait a Minute
4. I Want 2
5. Awkward Boy Skit
6. Oh You Want More?
7. Rain
8. The Willing
9. Look 4 Me
10. Groovement, Pt. 1
11. Dreams
12. Hot Spice
13. Music 2 Fly 2
14. We Don't Care [Multimedia Track]
15. The Nonsense [Multimedia Track]

Year Type Label Catalog # 2004 CD Big Dada 057 2004 CD Big Dada 57 2003 CD Big Dada 057

No other editions were found for this album.

Compared to fellow British rappers Roots Manuva and Dizzee Rascal, Ty's introduction into the recording ranks, his 2001 debut Awkward, came with a small impact. That low profile suited the mild-mannered rapper, whose lyrics, delivery, and production embodied traits -- thoughtfulness, modesty, introspection -- rarely celebrated in rap music, whether commercial or independent. A Ty track can celebrate his lyrical skills (of which he has plenty), reminisce over his shy-kid childhood as a Nigerian immigrant in London, or intelligently discuss a range of social concerns. That he spits lyrics that give pause while maintaining his groove and floating cutting-edge productions are extra feats, ones that made Awkward a left-field success for British rap. His second album, Upwards, is a contender for many 2003 end-of-the-year lists (although its American release came five months later). While not the unadulterated success that Ty truly deserves, Upwards is steadily interesting, it grows more bewitching with each listen (traits common to a mature artist), and it's occasionally brilliant. Early on, the single "Wait a Minute" has an interesting topic (lack of communication in romance) but a broken-beat hook that quickly wears out its welcome. Ty relaxes soon afterwards, knocking the excellent lopsided rhythm on "I Want 2" out of the park with an appropriately unbalanced flow and some of the best rhymes of his young career. "Oh You Want More?" is an uproariously confident track for such a modest rapper as Ty, but he deserves to drop the line, "So take lessons from the boss/ Been humble with the skills, now I intend to floss a little." Ty switches tone quickly, though, dissecting on "Rain" the type of situation -- a nightclub shooting -- that's often glossed over by rappers, and expanding it to include an earnest, intelligent complaint about the prevalence of guns. Stylistically, Upwards is just as compelling. Drew Horley, Ty's added production partner, helps give the productions an additional breadth and bite that didn't exist on the first album, like the carnival flair of "Oh You Want More" (that illustrates Ty isn't so serious with his games of the dozens) or the stuttered grooves of the album (and scene) highlight, "Groovement, Pt. 1." Critics often compare hip-hop artists to all-timers like De La Soul or A Tribe Called Quest, but Ty deserves the comparison; he's a distinctive voice who never lets his social concerns diminish the vitality and warmth of his recordings. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Name Credits "Baby Lu" Lulan Introduction Alan Mawdsley Mixing Alison Evelyn Vocals Basquiat Strings Strings Bembe Segue Vocals Ben Davis Cello DJ Biznizz Cut, Scratching Duchess Nell Catchpole Viola Dusty Percussion Eric Appapoulaye Guitar (Bass), Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Bass Eska Vocals (Background), Vocals Harry Brown Trombone Jason and the Angrynotes Horn Jason Yarde Sax (Soprano), Horn Arrangements, Arranger, Sax (Alto), Producer, Horn Engineer, Horn Jean Phillippe Dary Guitar (Bass), Moog Synthesizer, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer, Vocals, Producer, Moog Bass Joker Starr Producer Ken Barry Guitar Marcia A. Escoffery Vocals Matt Black Vocals (Background), Vocals, Guest Appearance Michelle Escoffery Vocals Randolph Matthews Choir, Chorus, Introduction Sean Corby Trumpet Tony Allen Drums, Producer, Vocals (Background) Trevor Antonio Percussion, Effects Ty Mixing, Vocals, Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Arranger, Spoken Word, Vocals (Background), Shaker, Percussion Vicky Fifield Violin Walter Coelho Mastering Will Ashon Sequencing