Diary Of An Afro Warrior - Benga

Diary of An Afro Warrior is definitely one of the most influential debut albums i have heard in a long time. Benga is one of London's most promising young talents and has more than exceeded the high expectations of Dubstep aficionados worldwide. For those unfamiliar with the rapidly expanding Dubstep genres, it is one of the freshest and most exciting musical fusions to have emerged since Drum 'n Bass twenty years ago. It is a carefully balanced ...
...this debut, Benga has produced an album that the genre can be proud of. Here is a more in-depth analysis of each song:

1. Zero M2 - 3:53
This track begins slowly with a plucked and syncopated double bass, and gradually layers in a melody, followed by a rhythm section, and eventually the trademark Dubstep bass that we all know and love. This song bears similarity with Roni Size's "Brown Paper Bag", which is from one ... more

Diary of An Afro Warrior is definitely one of the most influential debut albums i have heard in a long time. Benga is one of London's most promising young talents and has more than exceeded the high expectations of Dubstep aficionados worldwide. For those unfamiliar with the rapidly expanding Dubstep genres, it is one of the freshest and most exciting musical fusions to have emerged since Drum 'n Bass twenty years ago. It is a carefully balanced mix of dark basslines and syncopated and experimental beats. In this debut, Benga has produced an album that the genre can be proud of. Here is a more in-depth analysis of each song:

1. Zero M2 - 3:53
This track begins slowly with a plucked and syncopated double bass, and gradually layers in a melody, followed by a rhythm section, and eventually the trademark Dubstep bass that we all know and love. This song bears similarity with Roni Size's "Brown Paper Bag", which is from one of the most popular Drum & Bass albums to date.

2. Night (Featuring Coki) - 5:57
This has become one of Dubstep's most recognisable songs, with the mesmerizingly addictive chorus and hook. "Night" is possibly one of the greatest songs in the Electronic genre, and is a killer when played live. This is a song that nobody can help but fall in love with.

3. B4 the Dual - 5:29
Here we have a true example of the definition of Dubstep. The opening is a dreamy saxophone duet with a powerful beat kicking in after 30 seconds. Then suddenly after a minute or so the song drops into a more lively beat and is coupled with the saxophones and electronic sound effects. Halfway in to the song everything changes completely and has heavy resonating bass has your body pulsing before you know it.

4. E Trips - 4:39
The opening to this song is a wonderfully syncopated melody that is accompanied by a fat bassline. It gradually builds up to only the bassline and drums, at which point the suspense is immense. This is a song that is lively yet strangely mellow. Well worth a listen.

5. Someone 20 - 4:16
Unlike most of the other tracks on the album, this song is in straight 4/4 time and is very on-the-beat. It's one of the more ambiental pieces and lacks the heavy basses or jazz influences typical of a Dubstep track. That said, it is still a decent song.

6. Lightbulb - 4:20
Similarly, this song is much more mellow than songs like "Night", and has less musical variety than some of the other songs. It is also more thinly layered than others - further adding to the ambiental and dreamy mood it creates. Still, this is a track that you could easily find played on the dancefloor.

7. Crank It Up - 3:39
This is one of my absolute favourites on the album. The bassline is quite literally groundbreaking, and is perfectly blended in with the rhythm section. "Crank It Up" is both haunting and danceable - the textbook description of a great Dubstep tune.

8. Go Tell Them - 4:08
The beginning of this track follows perfectly from "Crank It Up", and is in the same tempo. The bassline is consistently strong as ever, but the thing that strikes you about this song is the robotic voice that works surprisingly well with the song. This is definitely one of the best produced tracks on the album, and amongst my favourites.

9. The Cut - 4:46
Definitely one of the more lively tracks on the album, "The Cut" uses much harsher basses and sub-basses that slice through you like butter. There is also a distinct African influence in the rhythm section for this album, which i found refreshing and different to the standard 4/4 beat that is overused in the electronic genre these days. This track is just another example of masterful production skills on Benga's behalf, and as is the case with almost all the other tracks, "The Cut" manages to be almost spooky and lively at the same time. Brilliant.

10. Emotions - 5:33
This track is based more around the melody than the bass-line, which is unusual in comparison to the rest of the songs. That said, I do not think that this takes anything away from the track. It is undoubtedly one of the most laid back on the album, but as the name suggests, it is a perfect track if you're in a pensive or reflective mood.

11. 3 Minutes - 2:54
Unfortunately, this is one of the weaker songs on the album, with not much really going on musically. For that reason, i won't complain about the fact that it is 6 seconds too short!

12. Pleasure - 5:15
Without a doubt this is one of the best tracks on the album, and if you are new to the Dubstep genre, this might be the best track to get you hooked. It has a female voice saying only "Pleasure, give me pleasure", and I can definitely see this being played on the dancefloor. I couldn't fault this track's catchy melody or booming basslines even if i tried.

13. 26 Basslines - 5:02
If you're not on your feet dancing within the first 10 seconds of this song, then you have no musical taste whatsoever. It doesn't quite have 26 basslines (it has only 3 or 4) yet it never seems to get repetitive. This is a song to be played at top volume on your most expensive speakers. You'd be mad not to listen to this.

14. Loose Synths - 4:08
The final track of the album is much slower and jazz influenced. The bass is much more subdued whilst the melody may as well be written by Miles Davis himself. What a great way to finish the album.

As you can see, this album has roots in several different genres, and is suitable for endless amounts of moods or emotions. Strangely, i find that this record can be played both in the sitting room as background music, and it can also be played at full blast in a club. No wonder Dubstep is gaining so much rapid popularity. Mark my words - watch this space.

© copyright 2008 Bruno Crosier 

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