reviewsotop

Hip-Hop Reviews - O to P

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.

Ohmegga Watts - The Find | TOP

Some albums you just feel that you need to have. On hearing snippets of this most excellent piece of hip-hop work, I felt called to acquire it. Played it out around Christmas 2005 and the jazzy funky Pete Rock style vibe just gently waves over you bringing pure positive hip-hop quality. The album describes itself as moving from "laid-back sunshine styled tunes to turntable-bound rare groove-fueled breaks." We find all the elements in this album full of live instrumental sounds, cut up and crafted breaks, interludes, grooves and boom-bap. This is pure hip-hop at its finest, with influences all over the place (but think De La, Tribe etc). But it's more than this, with killer deliveries left and centre. Guests abound especially from within the Lightheaded crew. If only I could create something as good as this. "Where It All Started" with DJ DNA immediately kicks in with one of those rare groove beats, talking of where hip-hop all started. "That Sound" is familiar to me as I have this on vinyl. A funky piece party track roller with shout-outs featuring Lightheaded, the Procussions and Noelle of Rebirth. "You Are Now Tuned In" reminds very much of Tribe Called Quest. with Adma L and DJ Bombay in the mix. "Full Swing" feat Neogen and Deacon again mixes soulful rap with laid back jazz and bass grooves. Another dope track is "Mind Power" about a woman learning that love is worth waiting, rather than a quick fix. Outstanding. "Your Love" feat Tiffany Simpson is a rare grooved roller about God's love. "Treasure Hunt" exposes something of the Jamaican roots of Ohmegga, coming out of Flatbush, Brooklyn. "Groovin on Sunshine" feat Sugar Candy is an eclectic mix of 70s sounding jazz funk. We move on to "The Find" feat Stro the 89th Key shows the depth of the production that goes into the songs on this album. "Saturday Night Live" features Sharlok Poems and Surreal bringing together 2 MCs to work together - a funky piece that plain works. "The Treatment" features Manchild and has a definite Mars Ill vibe. Both Braille and Big Rec come through on a verse - quality - and a real range of deliveries contained in one track. "Stay Tuned" has another rare groove beat over church organ and rhodes keys. Another masterful piece of work, feat Sojourn. "Floor Rock" was created as a beat for all the bboys and bgirls out there. "Long Ago" reminds me of some early late 80s/90s hip-hop work, a great compliment - reminiscing on the old days 'when the rhymes were fresh and the beats had soul." We end with instrumentals as we start. For me, this album is the hip-hop equivalent of the drum'n'bass perfection of LTJ Bukem - fusing elements to create something very deep and beautiful. Run Time - 72.17.

Othello & the Hipknotics - Classic | TOP

Will appear here soon. But if you like jazzy hip hop, especially with a live band, get this CD. The jazz backing band comes in the shape of drums, rhodes keys, bass and a sax. There are studio produced jazzy soulful tracks - alongside a couple live joints - and some other tracks produced away from the live band - with Mr J from The Procussions on the mix. A short but very dope album. Track 2 'Opposite Side' is almost like an Outkast in the intro. This is a very catchy track with a sax riff, an addictive hook and fuses lyrical agility from Othello with jazz music and even freestyle, turning a great track into a funky creative groover. 'Organic' is a more down tempo song with a more lounge jazz feel. Othello delivers fast lyrics with real soul and passion. He challenges us to make the most of what we have before 'upgrading' but urges us to experience life, true life in Christ. 'It all boils down to what you put your value in..' The next track, 'Right Here' moves back up tempo with syncopated rhythms, grooves and Othello's rap vocals - another great sung hook in which, 'If the time is right and the time is now, then right now's the time, to go ahead and do it..' Next up is the album track, 'Classic'. A well layered track, put together with a syncopated verse, then sax riff over more laid back flowing beats and no vocals.. then into a beautifully rap sung hook with sax riff over the top. 'Just make sure you know who you are..' The next 2 tracks are recorded live in a venue. 'Conquered' takes a new vibe with a more studio rather than live sound. Again, great delivery and production. 'Peace' again sees a great beat and underground sound from Mr J of The Procussions. In this Othello speaks on the hook of, 'Searching for a place that I can call my own.. moving, to a place that I can call my own..' Last up is 'Rock Rock' which is a great last grooving party track - 'Rock Rock Come On..' Run Time - 41.40.

Othello – ‘Elevator Music’ | TOP

This album can best be summarised as relaxed, jazz infused hip-hop music to soothe, enlighten and elevate the soul. If you’ve come across Othello (and his fellow members of the Lightheaded crew) before, this quality and jazz (boom bap styled) project will come as no surprise. It retains the usual fresh mix of innovative and flowing wordplay, soulful reflections, uplifting sounds and positive, finely hand-crafted lyrics. Othello, like Lightheaded have gained a crossover appeal across the US and into Japan, Europe and beyond. This is well founded and deserved, with the crew and individual emcees such as Othello dropping outstanding projects. Lyrically, Othello brings depth rarely seen within the realms of secular commercial hip-hop. More than that, there is a lyrical agility and rhymin depth and ability, that many secular rappers would do well to observe and learn from. Right from the off in “Floor One” we are introduced to an album that is intended and succeeds in elevating your senses - with guitars, trumpets, keys and samples fused together seamlessly. Subjects range from hip-hop (“Rock Rock”) to the seasons (“Seasons Greetings”) to relaxing yourself (“Relax Yourself” – reminiscent of Tribe Called Quest) and deeper challenges to the soul (“How Ya Livin”). Guest emcees such as MG! the Visionary, Braille, PageOne, Ohmega and RedCloud bring their unique vocal styles. DJ cuts, scratches and varied producers bring a homogenous, yet distinctive flava across the album. Lyrically, Othello brings a variation in lyrical styles from the breakdance inspiring “Heart”, to the double-timing tempos, innovative intonations and melodies in “Goodwill Chopping”. This track is off the hook and Red Cloud and Othello kill the track. I've played this to people who hate hip-hop and they're blown away. Sounds vary from the head-nodding “Consider It” and “Oblivious Enlight” to the chilled “Elevator Music” to the instrumental live sounds from Hipknotics. There are a couple tracks here, also on the ‘Classic’ album but with different mixes, which is pretty dope all round. Some tracks don't reach the heights of others, but we're talking tracks dropping from 10/10 to 8/10 so no complaints here! In fact, it adds to the album's variety. Time to elevate. No, really.

Procussions - As Iron Sharpens Iron | TOP

This is a real true hip-hop album from this very creative, underground crew reaching out to the mainstream. We have jazzy interludes, underground deliveries, tuneful tracks, shouts out, moments of fun and scratching. This brings the underground to the upperground and it does so musically, with life and creativity, as evidenced from the off with “Introduction” with varied deliveries over old skool church organ and breaks. “Wegotta” and “Move Yer Self” both remind me of Tribe Called Quest - 2 very dope tracks! “How Do I Describe” is another lively jazzy track with smooth flows over old skool beat, a real skill of the Pros. One of my favourite tracks without doubt is jazz-filled, trumpet-edged, “All That It Takes” which also features on DJ Maj's Mixtape 2. The story of Job, told in “Just Over Broke” is truly outstanding. The album eases to an end with “Water's Edge” the final track on the album. “Make It Happen” calls for a revolution of mind, body and soul, following God. 'As Iron Sharpens Iron' is the perfect title for this album from this inventive hip-hop crew mixing old skool and new. Another great buy, letting the rest of us know how to do hip-hop. Run Time - 63.54mins.

Propaganda - Out Of Knowhere | TOP

Got bought this for my birthday from the young people I work with (props to you guys). Propaganda comes from the Tunnel Rat stables in LA so you know it's gonna be tight and underground but with commercial appeal. Track 2 "Keep It Live' sets the standard with some dope rhymes and varied flows. 'We Are' with Sharlok Poems of LA Symphony and 'Keep On Singin' with Dax of LPG are 2 of my favourite tracks, both with rhodes and jazzy riffs. I love the funk! 'My Life My Music' with the excellent Macho of New Breed is a Hispanic flowing joint. 'Ya Never Know' with Raphi is about women troubles, stuff many of us guys can relate to in varied ways! 'Don't Let Us Lose It' drops steady beats and delivery under a piano riff - rapping about his own style. This album is varied in production, style and rhymes ending with the clever 'It's Just Life'. Run Time - 47.57.