The artists formerly known as Creative Controle (perhaps the best example around of how Irish hip-hop can actually work as a concept) finally deliver their long awaited debut album in the shape of What’s Confusing You? Bursting into life after a dramatic instrumental opener with the familiar second single ‘Check The Vision’, Messiah J quickly informs us, “It starts here.”
The Expert’s production is remarkable for a debut. Ken McHugh and Aidan Foley’s mixing and mastering job finishes it off with a nice sheen, but the nuts and bolts are excellent, especially the stupendous recent hotpress Single Of The Fortnight ‘First Place’ and the space age smoky jazz of ‘Hot Air’. This might be hip-hop at its roots but these branches have grown much further. What’ Confusing You? is in yer face in the best possible way, ambushing the listener with sweeping strings and twisted tinker bell melodies. Meanwhile, Messiah J’s impassioned fluid raps are empowerment personified. This is not just great hip-hop, but great, great music.
Quality cuts flow thick and fast, with ‘Before Before’, ‘Six Feet With A Grin’ and the booming closing brilliance of ‘Bloodrush’ each contributing handsomely to the overall sense of magnitude and achievement. Messiah J & the Expert are da bomb!