KEY POINTS:
MAREKO
White Sunday 2: The Book of Mark
(Dawn Raid)
Herald Rating: * * * *
Verdict: Solid second album although more for the urban music fans among us
It's all very well being one big happy family, but with his Deceptikonz mate Savage heading off to New York,
you have to wonder whether Mareko might be a little miffed at his limelight being stolen just as he releases his second solo album, White Sunday 2: The Book of Mark.
It's not as if Mareko has missed the boat, because White Sunday 2 is solid. But there's no song that's going to jump out and bite you on the bum like Savage's hit Swing, the three-year-old tune that got him his big bucks, worldwide record deal. Better late than never, we guess.
But Mareko is a different hip-hop beast. Savage's sound is rooted more in the crunk and dirty southern US party vibe, whereas on White Sunday 2 Mareko comes across more conscious and thoughtful than his buddy, and the gentle hip-hop giant takes a predominantly soulful and laid-back approach. Them Eyes starts with a gently plucked guitar and strings and For You is more akin to Scritti Politti than Snoop Dogg, which need not be a bad thing. That's not to say he doesn't unleash a tirade or two along the way, in keeping with his battle MC roots, especially on Next Sunday where he reflects on the history of local hip-hop and how it has shaped what's happening today, and the rumbling, yet perfectly placed, "drunk as f***" line in Sin City.
And then there's the heavyweight bump and booty grind of Who! and the staunch Going Nowhere which brings out Mareko's rabble-rousing and sinister side.
This time round he's also more conscious, lyrically clever and focused than on his 2003 debut (the first instalment of White Sunday).
Over the top of the menacing beat to Record of the Year, where he offers cheeky advice like "Do the running man if you're feeling old school", he manages to get the Ginger Bread Man, Dr Seuss and fleet-footed R&B star Chris Brown all into one verse.
But it's Mareko's sentimental and caring side, which comes through on first single Gotta Go, that is most appealing. Although you get the feeling this album is one for fans of urban music only.