reviewsf

Reviews - F

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.

Fishermen (now Living Legendz) – ‘Fireproof’ | TOP

The Fishermen (now known as Living Legendz, since one of the collective left the group) come up from out of Michigan and comprise 2 MCs - namely EMC and GS. In their words they are a hip-hop act that has emerged to interrupt the shine of conventional hip hop and introduce the Michigan streets to the hip-hop world. Living Legendz want to show they are alive through Christ and want to make quality, positive music to speak life, bringing an alternative perspective to most commercial rap (such as on “Get Ready”. The opening track, “We Here” is first up, a nice party tune banger, challenging people that Fishermen come to speak life - “Jesus died for you.. we don’t play around.” The track, “Shake" was the first single from the album and is another true party track. “I’m not” takes a darker and harder musical sound with guitar backing, with the crew spitting that they don’t pretend to be what they’re not. “II Night" winds down to an r&b rap flava talking about a night with the wife. We even have a track dedicated to relief from life through basketball - “Ballin”. This album is packed full of contemporary beats, commercial sounds and styles that become a little similar by the album’s end. It may not appeal to the underground hip-hop fan but worth checking for commercial heads. Run Time - 60.20 (approx)

Flavor Alliance - Flavor Alliance (enhanced CD) | TOP

Got this great CD as part of the packet given out so generously from the team at Flavor Fest. The Flavor Alliance CD showcases the Alliance artists on a 14 track CD with yet more compelling rhymes from the team. Unlike the Cypha range of CDs, this is more of a pure and simple hip-hop CD and features - DJ Lopez, Bboy nova & Bgirl eenk, Imperial, Los-1, Legacy, Symalee, Sabe, Relex.the.son, Rize, Spec and the man Urban D. Starts up with 'Barbershop' as the fam introduce themselves. Tracks vary from latino to east coast to bboy tracks. Musically we have a variety of beats, with a combination of the distinctive Flavor Alliance sounds mixed with what I'd say constitutes an LA Symphony style (eg New Dawn) - a massive compliment. Content is clear and Christ-centric. Delivery (as ever) moves between easy listening to syncopated flows. The CD mixes male and female MCs seamlessly. We end with a perceptive track from Urban D called, 'The Big Screen' about how Chrst is invading our movie screens, praise God! The enhanced CD features a live performance from Spec at a FlavorFest and an insightful interview with Urban D and Spec. Run Time - 57.27.

Flavoralliance/Urban D - We Go Together Like (vinyl) | TOP

I really love the lead track on this which drops with KJ52. The album also features Corey Red and Precise. When Urban D hit London just recently, he got the crowd jumping to this track, all dropping arms to worship God. Did well to perform it on his own as it's lyrically furious! It's the joint that proclaims, 'I was lost in this world thinking I was aight, b-boy moves, graf designs, turntables and the mic. But deep down I was searching til I saw the light and found relationship with Christ that leads to eternal life..' 4 tracks on A-side and all the instrumentals on the flip.

Flavor Fest DVD | TOP

Awesome. Want to reminisce about Flavor Fest, see what it is, see the potential of God using hip hop as a valid ministry tool to reach people for God with relevance? This is an essential. Not only are there performances from the FlavorAlliance crew like Urban D and Spec, you also get other great performances from artists like Pettidee, Corey Red & Precise and 4th Avenue Jones (check their last tune!) among others. This also peeps behind the scenes with Urban D (Pastor Tommy) at Crossover. You get interviews with artists and more, over 2 DVDs. There are features on the church, skate park and breakdancing. My favourite part, other than the moving performances from people like Pettidee over crunk beats and the Godly words from so many of the artists - was the words from Pastor Tommy about using hip hop as a ministry tool. It challenged me to step out in faith. You should hear his words too and come join me - or them - or start your own ministry. Word up! Run Time - 2 DVDs.

Flavor Fest Volume 2 DVD | TOP

The next part in the Flavor Fest DVD group. Features Urban D, Spec, New Breed, Pettidee, Elle Roc, 4th Ave Jones, Bobby Bishop, Rawsrvnt and many others. In terms of DVD quality, menus and design, this one exceeds the first DVD. I prefer the previous DVD in terms of artists and character of performances. There is less general hip hop features too, prefering to concentrate more on the music. If you want to see some dope artists and performances this is a good buy. If you want to get behind the artists, find out more about Crossover and what the artists think and where they're coming from, this is a great buy. I also bought it to support Crossover ministries, Urban D and the UK distributor, Spirit Music. My favourite performance was New Breed, though 4th Ave and Pettidee bring their usual hip hop soul and crunk energies. Good to see a variety of artists featured too. Look out for more innovative products from the Flavor Alliance crew. Run Time - 2 DVDs.

Flynn - In Like Flynn | TOP

Feeling this.. What sets this member of the very fresh LA Symphony crew apart on this album is the meeting of old school and new, the mix of funk, samples and modern synthesized samples and live riffs. Good to see how Flynn drops a summary of his thoughts behind in each track on the CD inlay. This definitely has a real LA Symph feel to it (no surprises there then!) Kicks off with a big phat synthesized bass with the dope 'Love is Dead' - 'When the love is dead, and the pain is dead and the hope is dead then you know I'm dead..' Next up, 'Superstar' drops another synthy bass with a head nodding beat. Flynn lays down a more controlled flow with a deep message assessing business and more, swiping at lack of integrity and looking at how fame and fortune can change character, '.. you're dancing in the end zone with the opponent.' Next track 'Til we reach the top' features Sharlok Poems and has a tuneful chorus about going for the top - a distorted bass line lays down the foundation with a kind of hip hop house beat and musical cuts breaking up the riffs. 'Get Up' drops another catchy hook over breaks, bass and congas. Dope. 'Nyquil' has catchy beautiful ambient vocals underlay a deep house 4/4 beat with some funny stuff about Nyquil. 'Triumph' returns with a funky synthesized mash up of samples and clever lyrics. 'Freaky Flow' drops a big phat old skool breakers beat (as does 'In Like Flynn') with Flynn's and Sharlok's vocals standing out with a delay effect. Cyphers flow freely and gently over 'Slow Murder'. A deep sub-bass beefed up bass kick underpins the synthy funky 'You Want It' - a groove to make you dance. 'Just for once come with some lyrics, just for once make me wanna hear it..' A piano riff rolls over a nice break in like 'It's Like That' with some clever lyrics, 'I'm a killer whale disguised as a minnow..' Life rolls on. 'Push it away' reminds us that sometimes it just doesn't work out with the ladies. 'It's So Beautiful' is a dope hand clapping groover. This is hip hop funk sample synthesis. This was put in a Top 10 hip hop albums of 2004 (click here). Run Time - 47.16.

Fros'T - Me vs Myself | TOP

When I saw the album cover of Fros'T I saw this guy that looked like he should be in Hell's Angels. I listened to some samples on the website and thought, 'I have got to get this.' Spirit Music obliged and this does not disappoint. The tracks are catchy, melodic and would stand with any West Coast commercial tracks. Fros'T covers several topics like being away from home on tour, his love for his family, too much religion, about cats fronting and letting others down in the Christian music business and a heart-rending and all-too-true flow about a girl being sexed then killed after dressing up to the nines at a club ('Party Goin On - an almost parody of 50 Cent's 'In Da Club') and more. The first track with Ellis Taylor provides a funky r&b crossover that flows throughout the album. Fros'T has a varied delivery flow, spitting rhythmically at pace and with a groove. This is hard to categorize other than being west coast - but you will find that many of the tracks stick in your head especially 'I'm just being me' with a great musical hook. There are elements of rock too. Love it. I think this album has been recently re-released. Run Time - 67.18.