English rapper/actor Plan B’s second studio album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, proves not only that he can actually sing but also that he’s quite the raconteur. The album is an introduction to his soon to be released feature film of the same name.
Each song is a chapter, connecting to an overall fabricated tale set in the 1960’s. Successful soul-singer Strickland Banks is wrongfully convicted and jailed for a crime he didn’t commit, separating him from his lover.
Plan B, also known as Ben Drew wrote and produced this layered album of rap, soulful jazz and Motown influenced R&B. The departure from his previous album Who Needs Action When You Got Words is noticeable in its maturity and structure. Although in tracks The Recluse and What You Gonna Do he makes it known he hasn’t grown too far from his hip-hop roots.
Plan B never breaks character in his radio released single Stay Too Long as he hones in on influences like Smokey Robinson and Ray Charles. Piercing trumpets and smooth backing vocals are a constant throughout the record as each track showcases a new hidden vocal talent or a surprise string instrumental.
Each track on the album displays his far-reaching vocal ability’s and we are left wondering why he kept such a sweet sound from us in his first album. The record peaks early at She Said, there are no metaphors in his lyrics just storytelling at it’s best. The track is weaved with beautiful brass band elements putting this album at a high level of complexity.
Plan B may lose devout fans with this newly sophisticated record. He could not have stepped further out of the British hip-hop box; but he has done so with a suave sense of knowing that he needs to showcase his vocal talents; even if it is under yet another pseudonym and about entirely fictional events.
- Poppy Reid
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