THANK F**K IT'S FRIDAY: 3RD EDITION

COSTELLO & G.I- MARYJANE

An album to give the U.S a run for their money

WorkinClass Records are back once again with two of it's biggest commodities G.I and Costello and their latest album Maryjane.

There is nothing left to imagination as one delves into this labyrinth of Dublin's urban Intelligista. 

Production quality, possibly the only thing Workinclass did fall short on in the past, has come along sevenfold in this album. The instrumentals off some tracks (most notably Smack Haze and Ghostwritin) alone make for blissful listening and could easily be sampled for future drops by emerging Irish artist. 

With four solo projects between them, the restless work of both men on this collaboration has shown no cracks under pressure. They omit an encyclopedia of knowledge regarding Dublin's deprived communities, with the poetic harmony to escalate the resonance. Its not often that music makes you sit up and truly pay attention, however listening to the track Chill D Fuck Out will leave you speechless and wondering whether you know what "having problems" really means. It only serves as another example of  WorkinClass member's emphatic ability to turn negative lifestyles into positive end products. 

Literature does not over cook the praise that must be given to this album. Both Costello and G.I's lyrics have the distortion of an Easton Ellis and the heart felt passion of a Dostoevsky or Mickiewicz. It also evokes the sense of a collection of short stories, similar to Joyce's Dubliners, as each track tackles a different issue brought about through life experiences. Point of View (which also features Willa Lee) must be commended not only for the broad use of relevant vocabulary but also the duo's astute knowledge of intricate rhyme patterns.

They have brought back to mind the golden years of the mid 90's rap in Harlem with this album. Praise 2 Da Jungle has the same noir beat and fluent bars than anything off Big L's Lifestylez of Da Poor And Dangerous. It all culminates in a powerful portrayal of a sinister culture the rest of us would rather forget. Credit must be given once again for the extra emphasis that the album has placed on production. 

Lunatic- 1984-2009

Further tribute is payed to the deceased WorkinClass member Lunatic on the third track Put Your L's Up, which is laced with passion for a beloved friend of the duo who will never be forgotten in their eyes. Furthermore a lot of the messages Lunatic carried in his own work has rubbed off on both Costello and G.I who continue the ideals of Irish heritage and it's importance. 

So for anyone brazen enough to still regard the prodigies of Irish rap as reprobates with too much time on their hands, now is the time to sit in silent shame over MaryJane's pre-determined success. If this high level can be maintained going into the future, it is no over-reaction to expect our Emerald Isle to finally have credible representatives to contend on the continental market of rap.

IMMORTAL CRITIQUES TOP 3 TRACKS

1. Smack Haze
2. Born 2 Represent
3. Praise 2 Da Jungle

Check out the full album @ http://workinclassrecords.com/