reviewsatob

Reviews - A to B

Please note that the reviews are ordered by Artist first name..

All reviews are opinion, a guide only. Some are short and to the point, others go into more depth. No real reason why other than when the reviews were written! For other fantastic reviews, check out trailblazinministries.com, sphereofhiphop.com, gospelflava.com, hiphopforthesoul.com and jydist.com. Cross Rhythms has some good reviews too, although limited in content.

Please note if you see any of these reviews elsewhere, it is because I have done the reviews for others. These reviews are mostly for Cross Rhythms, although they edit the reviews. The reviews on these pages are my full reviews.

4th Avenue Jones - Stereo: The Evolution of Hiprocksoul | TOP

Been meaning to get some 4th Ave material since I watched them deliver a crazily good set on the FlavorFest DVD from 2003. This performance showcased the varied and quality musicality of 4th Ave Jones, as guitar (Timmy Shakes) 'battled' violin (Gailybird) and Ahmad Jones 'battled' wife, Tena Jones in a song about men and women. The show ended with the audience going mad to a rendition of that 'wahoo' song by Blur! The album of course, doesn't disappoint in any way. As ever there are elements from so many genres it's hard to know where there aren't influences from (well, no country & western thankfully..) But we have hip-hop, soul, rock, jazz, funk, r&b and more! We mix fun and deeper intent. Linking the tracks together are the team on a 'stereo'. First up, "Stereo" sees a heavy guitar riff about erm, a stereo been taken everywhere! "Fabulous Dramatics" sees a beautiful riff kick into a heavy chorus about an ex bringing drama. "Unhappy Birthday" sees Ahmad trying to make up with Tena. Another powerful track is "Overloaded". Next up, "Take It Away" is a cry out to God to take them away from the haters resenting their lifestyle, Ahmad and Tena on passionate vocals. "Sorry" is about saying 'sorry' mixing singing and MC-ing from Ahmad. "Monumental Continental" mixes things up with Grits. "Who's Watching Me" sees beautiful rhymes and singing from Tena Jones fusing hiprocksoul and rap under r&b vocals. "Caesar" sees Ahmad more on a regular rap tip, a serious track looking at the state of the nation and need for Jesus. In "Why" we have a determination to be ready in life. "Rush" sees a more downtempo sound kick in about people rushing to push themselves, 4th Ave will stay true to their faith. We end up with "It's Over Now" (a more percussive / old skool track) about hip-hop no longer being what it was. Run Time - 43.32.

(The) Ambassador - The Thesis | TOP

I bought this on the strength of mp3 clips and because this came up out of the hip-hop academy that is the Cross Movement. I was not disappointed. Without doubt one of my favourite albums of 2005. This truly is a thesis, an exegesis of hip-hop, Christ and the relationship between the two. At the centre of his thesis is his relationship with Christ and the truth that Christ came to redeem a fallen world. How then can the church reject hip-hop. Hip-hop needs Christ. Period. Truth. Up first is "Thesis Pieces" where a melodic child-sung hook is that 'Jesus makes everything right' over beats, and old-skool synth sounds. 'We need this.. Hip-hop properly submitted to the glorious Lord.' Next up is "Amba-Ss-Ador" which forms the basis for the hook over deep rumbling toms and a east coast beat. "Song for You" mixes up samples and a rolling beat - cutting in slow samples before bringing back the beat and smooth delivery fire. "Feels Good" does to the listener what it says on the tin. A lighter beat and vibe with female harmonies on the hook. This is about the freedom that is found in Christ, as opposed to the lies of the world and a life away from hate, thugs and hopelessness. "Get You Open" is Ambassador's alternative to Snoop Dogg's 'Drop It Like It's Hot' - with a similar roller of a beat / little other instrumentation. 'We're gonna get you open..' A challenging track, full of dope truths and delivery. Love this. "The Explanation" lets us know about 'The Thesis' project - examination of hip-hop culture. This is as much an album for the pastors and parents who dis hip-hop. 'Hip-hop properly submitted to the glorious Lord.' A big beat with swirling horns sees Ambassador take a look at the "Elements" of hip-hop. "Crown Him" starts up with a rolling bass and delivery- 'Crown him Lord of all..' An awesome look at Jesus, this is hot. "Oh Wretched Man" slows up to take a look at Romans 7.23-25 about how we all fail and do things we do not want to do, falling short of God's glory - 'the problem is that we've got sins.. we need to be free, we need a new heart.' In "My Clothes, My Hair" we have a nice break over guitar and old church hammond organ - about how God sees beyond our appearance. "Back Home" - streets and the church need each other. Church being salt and light, the streets being the mission field. Interesting production with a light kick drum. "We Worship You" - we need hip-hop to know who they should be worshipping, God, and his awesome-ness. Nice track with the hook proclaiming, 'We worship you.. Oh Lord, our God.' Another hot track. "The Testimony" Ambassador lets us know that the culture of hip-hop isn't evil, it's the people who need to be redeemed and transformed by the Spirit of God. "The Anthem" brings a lively sound, break and delivery. On point with outstanding monotonal-sounding and fast delivery. Boom! "Body Talk" is a gentle smoothie with a challenge about women's dress-code means their 'body talks.' Finally, "The Fall" ends in an epic way with timpani and synth pads - a look at the fall in Genesis and its consequences. We hear the call from God, 'I'm the living God and I made you.. I'm the only God that can save you.' Ambassador points people to Christ. So does this album. Run Time - 70.48.

The Body - The Body | TOP

In summary, this is a mix and blend of east coast, mid-west and even a touch of dirty south from this rap family coming out of the New York area. 'The Body' represents the latest project from the Get Gospel Records community. This super group includes 8 MCs, who’ve been performing together since 2003 and hail out of Brooklyn, NYC. This album and their sound reflects their roots from the Jamaican neighbourhoods of Flatbush and Crown Heights in New York. The tracks vary up rap, r&b and soulful vocals, as the beats and delivery travel through the hip-hop musical neighbourhoods of east coast, mid-west and dirty south. The album fires off predominantly minimal sounding contemporary beats - with lyrics around life-issues (“Imagine”) and Christ-centric (“The Mission”) – and songs combining both, like “Real Life”. Delivery ranges between easy going and abstract, with some serious lyrical agility, from Nzingha’s double-timing on “To Be With You” through creative flows in “The Body”. The one area where the project could be stepped up is with a more varied range of beats. This is not helped by the obvious reliance on sounds and beats from the Korg Triton range (yes, I know it’s sad that I know, but the fact is I noticed..) But no matter, as production is tight. We journey from the downtempo, “When It Drop” and “Rejoice” - through the more challenging and lively such as “God’s Army”. At least 2 tracks from this project (“The Body” and “Hands In The Air”) are getting serious airplay across Christian radio stations - a testimony to the quality throughout the artists making up The Body. Run Time - 54.42.

Braille - Shades of Grey | TOP

Shades of Grey is an awesome hip hop album. I totally see how John Book, a reviewer for rapreviews.com put this album in his Top 10 hip hop albums for 2004 (click here). Right from the start up you have a perfect blend of beats from different producers, interesting cuts, brilliantly assembled samples and sick delivery from Braille.. The first song, 'Right This Moment' fires u p with an operatic sample with Braille (initially he reminded me of '. Next up we have 'It Won't Last' - quite a party track in the Lightheaded vein with a grooving guitar sample, horns and a catchy hook. Braille says this is one of his favorite verses he drops on the album and you can feel the passion and energy of the track. Othello drops a verse, as does Pigeon John in his sung style which really works on the track. 'Hiphop Music' (a dedication to, lesson in hip hop music) features a nicely EQ'd bass and beat from the excellent Tony Stone producing - with the master Rob Swift cutting scratches in across the hook. Another banger - an uplifting, catchy track. In '10 Years' we have a mix and blend organ, keys (from 9th Wonder) combining to create a head nodder, beautiful music with Toni Hill dropping sweet vocals over the top. (Giving an almost Fugees feel). Braille rides the beat nicely. In Statements Part 2 we find Braille and Othello on form, a track that came from their old crew name (Return to Sender) and shouts to the current crew, Lightheaded. There's a Tribe Called Quest style 'rock, rock on' headz up too. On 'Microphone Rush' we find Manchild from Mars Ill guesting and adding to the track. No surprise, as the music and beat could easily be something from Mars Ill, 'Backbreakanomics'. The lyrics took Braille over a year to write. Very well crafted. On 'The Find' we have another dope track (again, a vibe reminiscent of Tribe Called Quest?) but mixed up to fit Braille's delivery, given a slight distortion / radio feel - to add. Cuts (from Muneshine of Lightheaded), sampled voices, and horns give a live/party hip hop feeling. 'Keep On' - Braille brings a story of hope, that we have all fallen but we can all live free and 'shine light when it's too dark to see.' A real encouragement to 'Keep On'. I got a lot from this track and it spoke a lot to me. A mix of flute, harp and and I think oboe and samples being mixed up through the track is a master touch. 'Let Go' (letting stuff go close to you) was written by Braille when in New Jersey. It has that kind of feel, if you're feeling me and has an awesome story behind its creation. Guests on this track (too many to mention) really add and make it. This has a deep urban flow. It is crafted to perfection. 'Poetry In Motion' (part two) - nice cuts with a vocal sample of a child really helps. Again, Braille's delivery roles and surfs the beats - 'giving 100%, never settling for less.' Another change in 'Life Cipher' with another guest producer keeping the sound fresh. This is Braille's equivalent of an interlude. 'Goliath' sees Braille committing to stand for his values against goliaths, more specifically the music industry - and emerge victorious. Interesting samples and cuts keep it rolling and varied. 'Soul Rock' is described by Braille as 'an ill type posse track' with fellow lightheaded emcees, Ohmegga Watts and Othello - plus Sharlok Poems from LA Symph. I can see crowds nodding, rocking out to this track. I would.. In 'Nobody' a slightly detuned guitar sample gives a raw and authentic edge. Braille spits about how nobody (representing a person, or all people) is reluctant to be true, come out from themselves. As I hear Braille, I'm reminded of the Matrix 1 where we find a world of people content in their un-true life. Braille encourages 'nobody' to 'take off the mask.' Very clever lyrics. 'Shades of Grey' is the final mash up, again from the prominent Tony Stone. Tune starts off like something from Lord of the Rings! Breaks down to another excellent flow from the man Braille. Shades of Grey is described as '..the place where the lines between right and wrong are blurred.' This is a personal flow. Braille wanted a soundtrack feel to this and it is fully delivered. 10/10, no doubt. Run Time - 55.13.