Sound Brokerz: September 2009

GeoReview: Mos Def, The Ecstatic

By Clayton Ruley

There has been talk of the man know as Mos Def falling of the cliff when it comes to the rap. Many said he forgot how to make an album of quality since he blew up as an actor. Well if he was falling off the cliff he had a parachute or a grapple because his latest work is his best since his solo debutBlack on Both Sides. The Ecstatic is a 16 track LP with different sounds and a brevity of hot lyrics to match. The album cover is taken from Charles Burnett’s 1977 film, Killer of Sheep.

“History” makes you yearn for BlackStar as Talib Kweli joins Mos on a track (done by the late J Dilla) talking about where they’ve been and where they are going.

Horns and electric sounds appear on “Casa Bey”, a funky cut that shows Mos at his most diverse musically.

“Revelations” sounds like a poem put to music and Mos talks about slamming the system and eliminating the disparities in this world.

Some people don’t like Mos singing but “No Hay Nada Mas” not only has Mos singing but rapping in Spanish which is a treat.

“Supermagic” starts the album with a Malcolm X talking about changing the miserable conditions facing the world and being willing to join anyone willing to bring the current system down. It’s amazing that Malcolm can speak in the 1960s and it is still so relevant but then again that’s what the great ones do. The song itself has a Middle East sound to it and Mos talks about the troubles of the world in a detailed manner.

“Twilite Speedball” is produced by Chad Hugo (of Neptunes fame) tells of the traps of the street and how we need to deal with it.

“Auditiorium” is a classic track because of the beat (Madlib) and the collaboration of Mos and the legendary Slick Rick. Rick talks Iraq and more and Mos talks about how hard it is for his people everywhere.

A hard beat by Madlib gives you a template for the cut “Wahid” in which Mos Def talks about there being only one god.

“Quiet Hard” uses words from Fela Kuti then jumps in on a fast paced beat you’d hear back in the motherland of Africa. “Priority” is a short simple sounding track where Mos speaks on people being a top priority and peace and love with it.

“Life In Marvelous Times” (produced by Mr. Flash) is science fiction sounding track and Mos gives the people a map of how to survive America and the life in general when things seem to be taken away from the people.

“Pistola” starts off sounding like a 1950s happy time track and gets decidedly darker as it goes on. Mos talks about love and lost with a familiarity that seems too close for comfort.

“The Embassy” lets you feel the drum beat and snare after a very interesting airplane hi-jacking scene to start. The song gets into a Middle Eastern sound that takes you on a trip to another time or another place at least.

“Roses” has a soul feel to it and Georgia Anne Muldrow (who also produced it) sings on the track as Mos talks about love. “Workers Comp has a island feel to it and Mos talks about a girl being laid off if she thinks she will play him among other things.

This a high quality work and one that withstood the expectations. I’ll give it 4.5 GeoGlobes.

GeoReview: Jadakiss, The Last Kiss

Posted on 24 September 2009 by Clayton

By Clayton Ruley

Kiss is back with the third LP.

Jadakiss signing with Roc-a-fella Records would seem to be like Kobe Bryant joining the Boston Celtics. On second look though, Kiss despite the beef with many of the old school Roc team has made music with them in the past and the Roc is a shell of its former self. The veteran has been in the game and finally on Def Jam, the legendary label so what now? Will he disappoint or give any reasonable credence to the claim (self proposed but not far fetched in many people opinion) that he’s “top five dead or alive and that’s just off one LP”? Well this LP lends itself to the latter rather than the former.

First he starts off his first Def Jam LP, The Last Kiss with “Pain &Torture” produced by Buckwild. This is a slick cut that really lets you know why he’s different than a large majority of his fellow rappers and it’s because he’s always been able to speak about flash and cash and also speak on the streets with great authority, respect and skills.

“Can’t Stop Me” feature Ayanna Irish on the chorus and Kiss talks about being unstoppable in the rap game despite the trial and tribulations he’s been through on and off record.

“Who’s Real” is Kiss’s greatest single on the LP and Swizz Beatz (with Snagz) give him a crazy beat to talk about who is real and who is fake. OJ Da Juiceman joins Kiss on the track and doesn’t make you want to skip either giving you a line or two worth notice. This song may have been the song of the summer when it came to rap as you saw plenty of cars bumping and people in the club dancing to this cut (and the remix with DMX, Eve, and the remaining members of the Lox). OJ Da Juiceman will be remembered for the clap if you can relate.

“Grind Hard” sounds like a song you get up to in the morning when you don’t want to go to work and feature Mary J. Blige. Kiss talks about his history in the game and why he is still hear. Mary sounds good and the beat sounds like sunshine rays in the chorus.

“Something Else” is for the people who like the South sound and Kiss is joined by Young Jeezy on a verse. Kiss and Jeezy talk about being those dudes who are exceptional. The end of the album also has the remix featuring Snype Life, Bully, AP, Boo Rossini and Blood Raw.

My favorite cut is “One More Step” featuring one of the best tag teams as Styles P. joins Kiss as they do their back to back rap style to perfection. The topics they cover are diverse but the point is don’t mess with them on a track together. It’s not fair when these two together and they don’t disappoint as they speak on striving for the top of their profession over a beat with samples from Michael Jackson’s “We’re Almost There”.

“Stress Ya” is a good song for the club, home or car. The track features Pharrell on the chorus and Kiss talks about a woman eyeing him from a distance and his daily activities that make him attractive in and out the booth.

“What If” is a concept track that follows up “Why” and Kiss asks questions about his life and the world we live in. Nas joins in the fun and these two make up some profound questions that would change the reality we participate in.

Luther Vandross is alive and well on the cut “Things I’ve Been Through” as he’s sampled for the chorus and Kiss talks about his progression in the rap game from Bad Boy to now. It’s a really poignant song and on so many levels as Kiss gives the listeners his perspective on his experiences and also understands the fans expectations of him at times.

Upcoming crooner Avery Storm joins Jada on “I Tried”. The cut is about a lot of different situations where trying is the best you can do because you don’t what’s coming up next.

“Rockin’ With The Best” is for the ladies and the couples on a late night ride. There is a slow poppin’ beat done by the Neptunes and Pharrell with Bobby Valentino do their individual thing on the chorus and bridge respectively.

Mr. Porter gives a great beat to Kiss for a song with a message called “Smoking Gun”. The song features Jazmine Sullivan on the chorus and Kiss talks about a father who sexual abuses a child (the child later gets pregnant) and the child’s self-esteem among other scenes around that. Kiss talks about being ready to protect that girl and Sullivan pours her passion on to the song and it’s amazingly vivid. Kiss is an impressive storyteller and those unfamiliar to that fact but with knowledge of sexual abuse will feel this cut.

Next up comes Raekwon and Ghostface Killah joining Kiss on “Cartel Gathering” a slamming track with the sports’ best participants. Real recognizes real and that can’t be more true than on this cut.

“Come and Get Me” features the tough side of Kiss and Sheek Louch and S1 come thru on a track that reminds you of D-Block.

“By My Side” is another single from Kiss and features Ne-Yo. The song is really lively with a thumping beat and Kiss talks about being there for someone. Ne-Yo doesn’t come up small on this track and makes you believe he will be there for you.

“A Letter To B.I.G.” was featured on the Notorious soundtrack and it’s on here too! The track features former Bad Boy labelmate and wife of B.I.G.: Faith Evans and Kiss talks about his friend and mentor in a moving way.

Another bonus besides the “Something Else Remix” is “Death Wish” featuring Lil’ Wayne. The beat, done by The Alchemist, sounds like a death wish and the old veteran and the newer veteran talk about some violent scenarios. Wayne makes sure he comes particularly hard on this track and impressed me and Kiss lived up to the hype of someone whose group is known for being the streets.

Overall an excellent LP, I’ll give it 4.5 GeoGlobes.

GeoReview: Method Man and Redman, Blackout 2

Posted on 24 September 2009 by Clayton

by Clayton Ruley

The How High Brothers return for another session.

Method Man and Redman return with Blackout 2, the long awaited follow-up to…you guessed itBlackout! The smoking duo is back and giving Hip Hop a much needed smoke break! In the time since they put out the first classic LP the rap game has seen the download and internet game step up tremendously and now bubble gum rap is the in thing. These two artist have a few cuts for the radio but their appeal is for the underground.

The duo talks about being the bomb on “I’m Dope N***a”, a cut about their rap prowess and being ready for any guest appearances if the funds are right.

“A-Yo” features Saukrates and is one of the radio friendly track on the LP. The two veterans talk about feeling good and riding out with their lady of choice to do what they do.

“Dangerous MCs” is another cut that lets Red and Meth talk about why they have been in the game for a combined 35 years or so.

Def Squad is in the building as Keith Murray joins Redman and Method Man on a firey track called “Errybody Scream”. Murray doesn’t disappoint on this cut and the whole team talks about them being on another level compared their peers.

“Hey Zulu” is another cut for the radio and the club and the duo talks about approaching a girl in the club and the fellas perspective when you are in the club. It’s really about going out and having a good time while you have a chance to.

The next cut is a classic cut as UGK joins Red and Meth on “City Lights”. Pimp C is sampled on the chorus and Bun B., Red and Meth get down on a dirty track that perfect for this type of collaboration. Bun B always impresses me on his guest appearances and this isn’t an exception as he gets down on the fast jumpy Houston flow with mastery status.

On “Father’s Day” the duo take a parental role on other rappers who think age has to do with skill.

“Mrs. International” is for those who have that special someone who makes them happy. Meth and Red talk about a good looking, supportive woman who has a strong head on her shoulders and Erick Sermon of EPMD helps on the chorus.

Gilla House and Method’s family joins in on the fun on”How Bout That” featuring Ready Roc and Streetlife. The beat is hot and is perfect for rolling out to your hype-ass nighttime event.

“Dis Iz 4 All My Smokers” mixes in some crowd their concerts, Dr. Trevis and a beat seemingly from movie soundtrack to let the How High Brothers talk about their love for the green smoke and how they will smoke you under a table. Redman also talks about people getting off cigarettes too so call it a public service announcement.

“Four Minutes To Lockdown” brings two fo the hottest duos together as Ghost and Rae join Red and Meth in an absolute banger! I don’t need to say no more. “I Know Sumthin” features Poo Bear and this is another banger about having fun on the rollout to the club, in the club and watching out for haters.

Overall while it’s not the original Blackout it is a high quality LP from two emcees that may look innocent and safe but will bite the hell out of you on the microphone. I’ll give it 4 GeoGlobes.

Share and Enjoy: