Album: My Name is Gyptian

Artiste: Gyptian

Label: VP Records

Rating: Two and a half stars out of four

Gyptian's crisp, clear and distinct vocals announce a young artiste with great potential if he can develop range and depth - both of which the 15 track debut disc, My Name is Gyptian, are missing.

There are a few collaborations with artistes Round Head, Teflon and Keisha, but they do little to break up the monotony that is Gyptian's signature, consistent, high-pitched sound.

Basic issues

On this his first album, Gyptian tackles love, life and relationships with such soporific consistency that he sometimes comes across as endearing.

This was one of the reasons Serious Times, his biggest and most popular tune to date, was such a hit. He deals with the most basic issues with such conviction that one can almost forgive him for being cliché.

His observations on School Girl, track 10, are so plain that though you may not hail him for being a genius, you will nod in agreement because his argument is true.

The rhymes are basic, the music sparse and the issues repetitive, especially when Gyptian tackles love.

Towards the end, the songs are far less special and his monotone becomes tiresome. But there was no indication that we should have expected more on this, his first attempt.

Track List

1. Beng Beng

2. Ma Ma

3. Beautiful Lady

4. You Never Know

5. Around The World

6. Serious Times

7. Take Me Higher

8. Through The Valley (feat Round Head)

9. Woman I Love You (feat Teflon)

10. School Girl

11. Take My Money

12. Keep On Knocking

13. What Are We Fighting For

14. Stop the Fussing and Fighting

15. Holiday (feat Keisha)

- Alicia Roache