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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. One Twos |
| 2. Run Run Run |
| 3. Us Against Whatever Ever |
| 4. Finished I Ain't |
| 5. Longing For The Night |
| 6. Yeah Pause |
| 7. I Just Don't Know |
| 8. Survive It |
| 9. Gaaasp |
| 10. Cash & Carry Me Home |
| 11. Garden Path |
| 12. Liiines |
Product Description
Review
Rarely does a British debut album forge such a fully formed, genuinely unique direction that attempts to slot it into established scenes prove almost entirely fruitless. But Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam, the full-length bow of late-20s wisdom dispenser/producer Obaro 'Ghostpoet' Ejimiwe, achieves such a feat. You probably have to go back to Original Pirate Material, in fact, for similar impact.
Dubbing himself "a lad with a lisp with some stories to tell", the truth is a mite more complex, as hinted by the record's tricksy, somewhat over-self-aware title. His recent relocation from Coventry to London will doubtless ensure plentiful parallels with famed West Midlands to Big Smoke migrant Mike Skinner. But while sharing a knack for anxious streams of consciousness peppered with endearing everyday Brit culture references, Ejimiwe's subtleties outstrip The Streets.
Anybody who's had the misfortune to visit Coventry will agree the city is sufficiently depressing to breed levels of urban dread last equalled in Tricky's heyday. From stuttering, held-together-with-Sellotape-and-elastic-bands intro Onetwos onward, Ejimiwe's sleepy delivery owes little to any other UK rhymers, however, despite an air of a bedsit Roots Manuva, eyebrow-cocked self-deprecation and all. It's a fact he notes himself on I Just Don't Know, declaring "Other MCs want to talk about crime / But that ain't me..." before an off-kilter chorus that catches you so off-guard that gleefully humming along is the only logical response.
The album builds to a fascinating climax, the whisky-fuelled Cash and Carry Me Home succinctly encapsulating all the hungover loathing and creeping worry that follow an out-of-control drinking session, while Liiines is truly spirit-elevating with its "Life is too short to store up grudges" refrain. During the latter Ejimiwe complains that "I keep on writing, writing / But them folk ain't biting, biting". Such indifference, though, is about to change.
Hipster-hating hip hop aficionados may take one look at Ejimiwe and run a mile. Don't be dissuaded by his fashionable hat and spectacles: Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam throws its headgear into the ring as an early contender for 2011's finest out-of-leftfield long-players.
--Adam Kennedy
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam' showcases Ghostpoet's loveable ramshackle but hook-laden productions, his lazy baritone and imaginative desolate take on the world - a most impressive statement of intent. One of the freshest sounding debuts since Tricky's `Maxinquaye' - it's as beautifully complex as it is subtle and will command your attention again and again.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've had this album for ages, since it came out, and haven't stopped playing it (favourite track is "survive it") but haven't got around to writing a review; it is thoroughly deserving of the Mercury nomination it received. Each track is well crafted with a sublime range of beats, but it's the lyrical content that really takes this album to the next level: thoughtful, insightful, witty and clever and his delivery is superb. Even if you're not into hip hop, this is a must for any collection.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Ghostpoet (aka Obaro Ejimiwe), not unlike a latter
day Dick Whittington, left the cold grey streets of
Coventry and set off for London Town in search of
something golden. His album 'Peanut Butter Blues and
Melancholy Jam' may well bring him fortune and fame.
The ephemeral image on the project's front cover is
entirely apt. A man barely emerging from a thick,
cloying mist; his features half-formed and melting.
So too, in many ways, with the music. The album stutters
and stammers into life over the bruised and battered riff
of 'One Twos', segueing with the stark rumbling narrative
of 'Run Run Run'. It's chilly stuff. Melancholy indeed.
Mr Ejimiwe creates a distinctively bleak sound world.
There is little respite from his unsettling urban vision.
'Us Against Whatever Ever' pitches a vocal akin to an
evocative playground rhyme against a rumbling and grumbling
bass and synth misama. Love struggling against adversity.
'Longing For The Night (Yeah Pause)' is a fine invention.
The fractured quasi-latin beats support some of the album's
strongest lyrical imagery. Quietly humourous and strangely
affecting; a man trying to make sense of the world with words.
'Gaaasp' wraps up a bluesy melody in a juddering four-chord
arrangement. "I take a deep breath and live life a little bit";
cautious optimism; a little ray of sunshine trying to push its
way through the dense clouds. The best track by a mile.
Final track 'Liines' is a dark rocking anthem of sorts. The
textures are more open; the voice less obscured; the rhythm
solid, muscular and clearly defined. A powerful conclusion.
With PBBandMJ Ghostpoet has given the listening world a gift.
A dusty gem determined to show a sparkling face in the darkness.
Highly Recommended.
day Dick Whittington, left the cold grey streets of
Coventry and set off for London Town in search of
something golden. His album 'Peanut Butter Blues and
Melancholy Jam' may well bring him fortune and fame.
The ephemeral image on the project's front cover is
entirely apt. A man barely emerging from a thick,
cloying mist; his features half-formed and melting.
So too, in many ways, with the music. The album stutters
and stammers into life over the bruised and battered riff
of 'One Twos', segueing with the stark rumbling narrative
of 'Run Run Run'. It's chilly stuff. Melancholy indeed.
Mr Ejimiwe creates a distinctively bleak sound world.
There is little respite from his unsettling urban vision.
'Us Against Whatever Ever' pitches a vocal akin to an
evocative playground rhyme against a rumbling and grumbling
bass and synth misama. Love struggling against adversity.
'Longing For The Night (Yeah Pause)' is a fine invention.
The fractured quasi-latin beats support some of the album's
strongest lyrical imagery. Quietly humourous and strangely
affecting; a man trying to make sense of the world with words.
'Gaaasp' wraps up a bluesy melody in a juddering four-chord
arrangement. "I take a deep breath and live life a little bit";
cautious optimism; a little ray of sunshine trying to push its
way through the dense clouds. The best track by a mile.
Final track 'Liines' is a dark rocking anthem of sorts. The
textures are more open; the voice less obscured; the rhythm
solid, muscular and clearly defined. A powerful conclusion.
With PBBandMJ Ghostpoet has given the listening world a gift.
A dusty gem determined to show a sparkling face in the darkness.
Highly Recommended.
Format:MP3 Download
Ghostpoet is a genre-busting lyrical genius. His drawled vocals drift lackadaisically across minimalist backing tracks that are at times beautifully melodic and at times hauntingly barren musical landscapes. The burgeoning beats and the Poet's vox combine to make some of the most infectious and magically listenable trip-hop since Tricky's Maxinquaye.
Top track is without doubt "Survive It", a realist view of the world wrapped up in a classy lead vocal and broken up by the catchiest chorus on the album. Other highlights are "Gaaasp" and "I Don't Know", which is a classic electronica backing track masquerading as a grimy rap track.
A brilliant album, takes a few listens to catch all of the little nuances and lyrical brilliance, but hugely worth it.
Top track is without doubt "Survive It", a realist view of the world wrapped up in a classy lead vocal and broken up by the catchiest chorus on the album. Other highlights are "Gaaasp" and "I Don't Know", which is a classic electronica backing track masquerading as a grimy rap track.
A brilliant album, takes a few listens to catch all of the little nuances and lyrical brilliance, but hugely worth it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
What Blues
what a load of tosh i would not buy this peanut crap on jam no thanks and i would not play it if it was the last cd on earth
Published 1 month ago by M. godfrey
Get this in your life immediately!
Wow, I'm absolutely blown away by this album. As a fan of all the genre's of music that this encompasses (hip-hop, electronica, dubstep... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dantron
Superb
I don't really know how to classify this, but I love it. Sort of reminds me of Mike Skinner with a hip hop vibe. Whatever, I know this will get thoroughly listened to!
Published 4 months ago by Wadster
brilliant
i will keep it short and sweet.... i cant get enough of this album and cant play it enough. worth every penny and more.
Published 4 months ago by TrueStreet GHR Radio
good album
first album i have purchased from them after seeing them on jules holland. I really like them, dont often listen to a album start to finish, usually get bored and skip... Read more
Published 5 months ago by aimsi
Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam
Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam, the title says it all. Cool tunes with some fab tracks especially 7 & 8.
Published 6 months ago by N. Dix
Enjoyable but distant sounding hip hop
Interesting debut album with a very unique sound. Ghostpoet's lackadaisical lyrical style flows nicely over the dub influenced beats to produce a very polished sound. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Moonpube
Class!
Most tracks on this album I thought were class. Ghostpoet's "Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam", is a far more electronic fueled album, bridging the gap between poetry, rap,... Read more
Published 9 months ago by B
Underrated
GhostPoet is so underrated, If you like calm,relaxing and abit of slow paste rap, im sure you will like this
Published 14 months ago by S. Michaels
fantastic listening
love this album and listen to it most days. . . . more likely everyday. if you haven't got it get it its great
Published 14 months ago by kay
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