reviewss
Hip-Hop Reviews - S
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.
Scratch - The DVD | TOP
Want to know about hip hop and turntablism? This is essential. It's so good people recommend watching even if you ain't a hip hop head! It's a kind of lesson in how to document a culture. It features everyone in the scene from the old skool to the modern day headz. I love this DVD. I'd say to know where you are you need to know where you've come from. If you're a head then check it.
Scribbling Idiots - Just Me & Cas Metah | TOP
Scribbling Idiots consists 6 emcess and 2 producers, including the UK’s, Re:Flex the Architect who brings the heat on production (track 3, ‘For Christ’s Sake’ among others). Guests include Sintaxtheterrific, CunninLynguists and Pigeon John. Like much indie hip hop, there are hidden and conceptual depths to the album that deserve a deep listen. Variation in production is standout on this album, from head-nodders to soulful jazziness to cut up and compressed breaks. We journey through melodies, loops, cut up samples and breaks, rhodes chords, soulful sung hooks, underground tracks and insightful & well delivered lyrics. Content varies from a plea to buy their CD (‘Buy My CD’), a tongue in cheek track with a serious message, to ‘As You Are’, which flows about their deepening relationship with Christ. DJ DNA scratches it up on ‘Pen A Trait’, an element of hip hop too often overlooked on albums. Standout tracks for me included the excellent ‘ Finalized’ with Tara Kennedy on vocals and a beautifully haunting piano riff - a smooth picturesque tale of staying focused and taking responsibility against sin. ‘Image Of Me’ drops head-nodding breaks over a lovely jazzy riffs, alongside great lyricism as Just Me & Cas Metah jot down their thoughts to the listener (with Mouf Warren). Really grew on me this album. Looking forward to more from the Scribbling Idiots fam as they continue to step up the game. Don’t sleep on these guys and check out the other releases too such as Elias – www.scribblingidiots.com. Summary - real, underground hip hop with soul from Scribbling Idiots. Run Time – 49.32.
Sean Slaughter - Die Another Day | TOP
Sean Slaughter is the son of Alvin Slaughter. In a recent interview, he confessed his desire to see both platinum sales and a platinum number of souls saved. The influences on this album are highly contemporary and commercial, as is much of the subject matter. Sean Slaughter openly admits he wanted the album to be the kind that would appeal to the MTV audience. This is apparent right from the opening track “Die Daily” which sets the tone for this excellent album with fast and precise delivery over an epic east coast track. Across the album we find Sean Slaughter mixing up a gritty style yet with a really smooth delivery. There are a couple beats that could’ve been changed up a little (although this is personal taste, I completely see where the album is coming from) - but musically and sample-wise, the album is diverse, with well-conceived production. In “Love Jones” we get more downtempo with gentle backing vocals, as Sean Slaughter often talks about his daughter. “Pop Off” is a good party tune where we get a little more crunk. “Don’t Cry” beautifully recounts the story of Job, showing a real story-telling gift. In “Beautiful” Sean delivers an encouragement to women’s inner beauty with great insight over vocal hook – “You are beautiful..” We end with “Undefeated” a determination to walk undefeated as a soldier of Christ. Outstanding music, delivery and album. Run Time -
Shai Linne - The Solus Christus Project | TOP
Having bought the Grassroots sampler joint, I committed to get me hold of Shai Linne's album. When it arrived this week (taking about 10 days from ordering from Philly, US) I unpacked the seal and dropped me some fresh hip hop. This is a full-length and awesome album, packed full of true hip hop, music and words that are truly Christ-centric. This album is about Christ and you are left in no doubt about the impact God has had on the Lampmode Crew in Philly. Coming from the same hood as Cross Movement, we see Silas drop guest vocals on the album too, though this project is different to a CM recording and varies it up more, having a more authentic hip hop feel. There are other guest appearances (Stephen the Levite, Phanatik, Cruz Cordero) but mostly the album is handled and delivered in exemplary fashion by the Lampmode crew - Shai Linne, DJ essence and Timothy Brindle. The mastering and the production is extremely tight with a higher level and superior quality to the Timothy Brindle album dropped 2 years previously, with production from a variety of producers such as Vessels of Mercy, Official, Jas Knight and of course, DJ essence. Progression indeed as we'd expect from this very dope team. Musically, we have some very catchy samples and riffs across the album, with the cuts from DJ essence dropped to perfection, nicely sitting alongside the music. The tunes vary between and mix live instrumentation and drums with programmed sequences too. Lyrically, we have a wide range of story-telling, lyrics from the heart, a range of topics. . Varied rhyme schemes and delivery techniques (demonstrated on 'Lift Him Up' among others) - bring a variation to this album, again, not as prevalent on the Timothy Brindle. But it's all about growing and developing, honing the hip hop art. So, what about the tracks on the album? 'Christ crucified' and 'Solus Christus' both rep Christ to the max. There's a challenge to preach Christ even in the churches in 'Random Thoughts'. In 'Heart' we have nice vocals from Gina Campbell and a dope roller of a track. T here's the insightful and highly clever 'World Wide Web' In 'Dark night of the soul' Shai Linne drops an awesome song of lament (often overlooked in so-called contemprary worship) from Psalm 31.9-10. 'My portion' is a rap of praise and worship to God, 'who have I in heaven but you?' In 'Justified' we have a look at Paul's explanation of the doctrine of justification. 'Memoirs' is a clever concept. Finally the outro, Shai reflects, gently preaches and gives shouts out over mellow keys and beat. A Christ honouring, excellent project that deserves a 9/10 rating, if I rated albums in such a way. Inlay also includes lyrics. Run time - 71.30.
Sintax The Terrific - Simple Moves | TOP
This kicks in with samples & shouts of 'Move Somethin' reminiscent of Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek's ‘Reflection Eternal’. If you're down with the underground delivery and beautifully created breaks from Mars Ill & Deepspace 5 you'll love Sintax. It interweaves diverse dope beats and well crafted samples. Crystal clear delivery over both profound and intricate lyrics - with varied rap styles and subjects. This is for the true headz and those wanting to learn. Deep, funny at times, thought provoking, non commercial, plain dope - something new each time you listen for real. Favourite tracks - Track 2, Blowing Smoke, Track 4, The Way We Walk, Track 6, Understudy - Track 21, When I Don't Show. Check the last track too which even drops an Abba thing. Disturbing but it sums up the fun and energy of this release! This album from Illect is one of the most original and outstanding recordings you'll hear. Some people have already described this as a 'must-have' release like the dope Mars Ill 'Raw Material' album. This is set for re-release with some beefed up beats too. If all releases rival this then I'm'a buy all the Illect recordings, believe! This has now been re-issued having been re-mastered with even better beats. (Sept 04). Run Time - 70.52.
Sivion – ‘Mood Enhancement’ | TOP
Moode Enhancement is a deep, profound, highly creative & thought-provoking hip-hop for the underground heads. It's quite unlike the more jazzy and lighter 'Song Of The Songbird', in favour of a more abstract delivery and rhythmic production style. Throughout the album, expect the unexpected in the beats and basslines, as they roll lazily behind the bar to a very syncopated and unusual timings. This is quite noticeable, as are the rhythmic harmonies and deconstructed sounds. It sounds quite arty and in a wy, it really is. But that is one of the album's strengths, along with the insight and delivery of the ever excellent Sivion and guests. From the first syncopated track (“Out of the Blue”), with its drifting bass - to the rhythmic displacements in “The Name Game” and “Let Me” (show you what the living God can do), you realise that Sivion is going to be doing something profound and authentic with his album - not sipping on moonshine ‘but sipping on new wine’. Throughout the album, Sivion points to the living God as being the truth and provides insight and wise lyricism to both reveal some of the darkness in the world and give glory to God as the only answer –‘Jehovah is fact, not fiction. If you don’t know, that’s what’s messin up your diction’ (“In The Know”). We move from struggles that we have (“Down But Never Out” with the rest of the outstanding Deepspace 5 crew guesting), to a call to open up the floodgates of love – ‘It amazes me how you can do something you love, but love never comes into play’ (“Flood Gates). By the time we reach “Fly So High” with its mildly discordant minor-key melodies and sung-rap interlude, we are moving into more chilled out, jazz-infused music. “Side Rhodes” with its radio-styled vocals, the standout “Father Time” and the more downtempo “SHANNON” all bring jazzy vibes, harmonies and sung hooks. As we move towards the end of the album, we find that Christ is still central, over the glamour of life and as the architect of our lives in God. Run Time - 71.04.
Sivion - Spring of the Songbird | TOP
One of the best albums of the year, no doubt. This Deepspace 5 crew member delivers a definite top 10 album, for me. A light and tight spring-fresh jazzy beat and flow kicks off the album, enlightening the listener to what this life is really ll about. The track clues you in to the kind of quality production and delivery yet to spring forth from this incredible album. 'All MY People' is another nice joint, distinct with an almost reversed instrumental sound on the verses and an electronic riff over the chorus. A track about rolling with the beat, with hip-hop, putting God first. Some nice rhyhme schemes.. One of my favourite lines is 'life is too short to be a critic'. Another encouraging, spring-y, type track with a rolling bassline and flute-laden is 'The Fall', you have to get back up when you fall. 'Listen To This' brings yet another fresh beat, this time from the Netherlands. A story about Sivion, about what he was born to do, street prophet on the block. Sivion rolls about the delight and passion he gets and brings as an emcee, sowing seeds with the lines he laces. In 'Going Through It' we have a change in the album. The beat gets more downtempo as Braille brings yet more hotness on the mic about going through hard times and long days. Track 6 brings another Spring, almost summery feel.. Beautiful beat and sentiment, calling out hip-hop with its excesses and failings. Sivion's rhyme scheme sees every single line in a verse end with the same rhyming sound. No mean feat. Next up 'Today IS the Day' - a smooth and magical roller, with some nice chords and break. This is about living, about Christ, about God orchestrating your path. A dope sax lick underpins 'Let Go' featuring Othello, who drops some smooth rapid-fire lines. A jazzy offering from these two funky soulful hip-hop-heads. 'Who Am I' reminds me a little of a Ill Harmonics type bit for some reason.. Oh yes, it's because Playdough guests (LOL) - and Freddie Bruno. 'Melted Chocolate' features the man Sivion, flexing his musical muscles in a saxophonist direction. 'Walk With Me' is one of my favourite joints off, mixing a number of elements including smooth vocal hooks, rap, sax, keys and guitar licks. Sivion dedicates the track to his wife and to marriage. A moving track no doubt. A hint at this point - listen to the album through, don't skip tracks, you may miss something.. Oops! 'Live It Up' features a fresh verse from Theory Hazit and a more lively break. 'Caterpillar Dream' features an almost eerie backing synth sound and minimal break / bassline. Sivion likens life to a caterpillar, dreaming of the day of getting the wings and flying higher. 'Songbird Saturday' is one of the freshest tracks there is out there. A jazzy, rhodes-styled, spring, summer piece of completeness.. Sivion brings a hint of his family life at weekends in all its life, with Andreon and Ashtyn (his kids) also featuring. Absolutely stunning track. 'So Perfect' is a song about how hip-hop thinks it's so perfect, but it isn't. Listen closely to the 7-bar loop on this one, yep 7 bars. Not 4, not 8, not 16, but 7. We end with a typically grimey, sampled, sick beat from the genius that is Dert, 'Hip Hop IS Music'. Phew! Run Time - 61.23.
DJ Skillspinz - S The Foundation | TOP
DJ Skillspinz has a rich inheritance of turntable skills and beat making. Dj Skillspinz has been the tour DJ for groups such as Grits, The Ambassador and others. Influenced by DJs like the pioneering Jazzy Jeff and Jam Master Jay, Dj Skillspinz has been rocking the turntables since he was 8. He’s also spun the turntables for acts like L.P.G, The Tunnel Rats, Sup the Chemist, and Knowdaverbs and has over 18 album features. This album is part of his progressive approach to hip-hop, showcasing both his scratching and beatmaking skills. Skillspinz fires off some serious skills starting with the lead track, “Follow Me” cutting up the ‘fresh’ sample, a classic in the world of scratch DJ-ing. Skillspinz expertly scratches an assortment of scratches, dropping baby scratch, drags, tears, transforms, flares.. You name it, it’s probably in there.. Then Skillspinz moves into the transformer to give an old skool feel, before dropping basslines onto the break, before ending up doing a ‘tornado’ scratch (moving the hand on the vinyl back and forward furiously). Standouts include “Beat Boy Battle” with some sub 303 kicks and simple lyrics for the bboys and girls, “Crazy Scratching” and my personal favourite, the outstanding cuts and scratches on “Scratch of Fury 2”. Dirty south prevails across the album (although not exclusively, see “Get Up”), with guests such as Pettidee dropping simple and clear rhymes. Run Time - 43.44.
Soul Plasma - Soul Affect | TOP
Hailing out of the Northwest is Soul Plasma, repping Portland, Oregon. He brings a full length, 18 track album of serious hip-hop quality in every respect. This CD is another absolute 'must-buy' album, no doubt. This mixes up different genres, but has street written over it. Having grown up in tough neighbourhoods and seen how social problems have destroyed people, Soul Plasma brings an album offering a better way. He keeps it real, but offers solutions, unlike so much hip-hop in the world. 'Soul Affect' is kind of Soul Plasma's raison d'etre, and is a great piece of soulful work (as is the great, 'Soul Searching'). Another soulful track is the excellent, 'Survive' with some nice backing vocals and organ riffs. The musical vibe is in contrast to the theme of the song, talking about surviving life and on the streets. SP takes on some very serious issues such as 'My Freedom' (looking at the consequences of 'freedom') and then in the outstanding 'Black Ghetto' which assertively addresses the many problems in the ghettos, offering antidotes and solutions. This album features many issues that have obviously effected Soul Plasma's personal life, as well as life on the streets - such as 'It's Been' (looking at his missing little sister) and 'Hey Pain' and 'Heart Break'. We have some varied deliveries, such as in 'Takeaday'. In 'Goodness' we have a real uplifting track, reminding me (at least) of some late 80s / early 90s style laid back rollers with an almost 'Outkast' hook, love this. In 'Misunderstood' I get a little of a 2pac (and almost 50Cent) vibe in places. Very dope rolling track. One of the highest points of the album is 'Radical Profile' taking a look at the 'n***a' word and all its connotations, calling on African Americans to really live and make it, stepping out of the negative racial profile. In '100 Miles' we have one of the nicest breaks I've heard with street life delivery riding the beats. A brilliant album, one of the ones I'm playing out wherever I go! Run Time - 72.08.
Soul P - The Premiere | TOP
Soul P steps up his game to bring party and powerful tracks to reach out through hip-hop. If you're looking for more of the same from 'Soul Affect' then look elsewhere, as Soul P has been re-branded and big money chucked at production. In ‘Premiere’ Soul P brings a commercial sound with production distinctively but well handled by Beatmart. What characterised the previous album, ‘Soul Affect’ was a deep, social conscious rap with soulful beats. ‘Premiere’ is somewhat different, as we start up with more contemporary crunk beats, some with a party edge and hooks, such as in the excellent “Step Clap” with Sharp Skills guesting with some spiritual lyrical flames. Other bouncy tracks include the intro track, “I’m Here” and “Whoa” among others. “Goodness” (first found on ‘Soul Affect’) is a smooth soulful roller featuring Lisa Kimmey of Out of Eden, with extra fizz to the production. Throughout the album, we can find Soul P’s faith continue to spill in and through the tracks such as ‘We Don’t Know’ (when it’s our time to go) and ‘I’m Grindin’ talking about achieving and investing his talents for God. Delivery style is tight and varied, with Soul P and beats moving more from dirty-south to much more personal tracks as the album moves on (“Hold On”, “Hear My Cry”). We end up with an album sounding more like 'Soul Affect' by the end, almost like an album of two halves. In “You Can” and the incredibly insightful “Money More” we have a more traditional hip-hop feel, reminiscent of ‘Soul Affect’. A standout track is the laid back, “I’m The Street” which paints a powerful picture of the streets, an all-round awesome track, as is “Hey Young Man”. We end with “All I Want” explaining Soul P’s heart. Overall, it’s quite a change from ‘Soul Affect’ but this is still quality, contemporary hip-hop - just different than before. Run Time - 57.04
Souls Rest - Extended Wordplay | TOP
Souls Rest deliver hip-hop that hits you with distinctiveness and innovation bringing a highly varied 4 track EP of underground UK hip hop. This mixes up samples, turntablism, hot production and a live band. We start up with ‘Games’ with the sung hook, “You… can’t play no games no more… truth is at your door.” This is a catchy and head nodding track to start things off properly. In ‘Damage’ we find Juvenile working the cuts nicely while The Rawface brings vocal insight into culture and the choice between God and Satan – “the war is on, whose side are you on?”. The simple guitar riff over bass and drums is highly effective. Next up is ‘Underground’ where violin, piano riff and delivery all perfectly represent the theme (reminding me a little of 4th Avenue Jones musically). A deep look at the struggles of the life of faith - “At the end of the day, all I have is your hand” with tight musicianship. “Mr Grey” moves between a jazzy style, to an orchestral swing-time style – as we take a stroll through the ups and downs in the life of Mr Grey. Clever concept, well presented. A final headz up on the album cover and nice touch with the CD looking like a vinyl record. Run Time - approx 20mins.
Spec - In Your Eye | TOP
This is Spec's first album. I came across Spec first on the Flavor Fest DVD. He's one of the crew at Crossover Community Church, the right hand man to Urban D. A couple tracks seem lower in the mix like 'Forgive You' - but I like some of the production on this album, using techniques like the classic 'Cher' slur on 'Against The Grain' on track 4 which is a very dope track. 'Enemy Lines' is a catchy and challenging 4/4 banger, with the distinctive Los 1 on vocals. Varied sounds, vocal levels in the mix, styles and guests - crossing east to west coast and down south - add to the flava. Tracks 3-6 confront spiritual issues head on. 'False Prophets' is very dope, catchy and rips in Spanish and reps for the 'True God, the Risen Son, Jesus the Christ..' with Upperground and Urban D. One of my favourite tracks is definitely 'Indi.Pen.Dance' with a beautiful string hook and electric guitaring. There are a couple freestyles, some dope tracks based around the speck and log ting in Matthew 7.1-5. Track 13 'Embrace' is a harmonic worship r&b rinse out. Track 17 reminds me almost of an old style breakbeat rave track - cool. I gotta mention Track 16 - a moving talk and prayer with the man Spec. Awesome. Run Time - 58.24.
Sphere of Hip Hop - Mixtape Vol 1 mixed by DJ Aslan | TOP
A full length mix album well cut up and mixed by DJ Aslan and mastered by Elected Official. No massive innovations on the mixtape but it's a more than solid piece of work that features so much quality that you need grab this CD and rock this mixtape regularly. Money also goes to support the great work that Sphere of Hip Hop do on their website. Get this and support Plastic and the crew. So who does it feature? Where to start.. (take a deep breath) - Lojique, Malachi Perez, Stu Dent, Boombox Titans, The Procussions, Sintax.the.terrific, Black Soil Project, Playdough, Freddie Bruno, Enock ft Sev Statik, Moodswing 9, Listener, Bobby Bishop, JustMe, Urban D, YSG Timothy, LMNO, Ill Harmonics, Soul Plasma, DJ DNA, Rhymes Monumental ft Playdough, Flynn. Need I say more? Get it, get it, get it and enhale some positive hip hop vibes. Run Time - 71.52.
Stu-Dent - Nephilim | TOP
Starting with a sample from The Twilight Zone, this album is a roller - phat beats that make you nod your head. Accomplished lyrics ride the beats with perfection and underground clarity. Varied and masterful production compliment a range of dope beats laid under creatively deft licks & samples. At times, this rivals stuff like Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and of course the awesome Deepspace 5 collective in style, delivery and tightness. No surprise, Stu-Dent gives shouts out to Hi-Tek. Track 2, Longest Night, drops a tight delivery with a brooding bassline and ringing sample. Track 4, Invisibullet talks candidly about being hit unexpectedly with stuff. Something close to me, remembering losing my brother. Track 6 brings back an old school beat with head-nodding vocals riding the break. Track 12, Tell No Man just has a nice string sample. This recording from the Illect label really is awesome. One of my absolute favourites, no doubt. Why waste money buying commercial, godless, soul-less hip hop when y'all can buy this! HHH the future. True excellence on the mic. Run Time - 56.32.
Surreal and DJ Balance - Future Classic
Sometimes you get an album that just seems to connect with you. This is one of those albums - yet another hot album from Hip Hop Is Music. Although it may not be a future classic to many, it's already one of my favourite albums without doubt and I probably bang this one more than any of my other albums, except possibly Braille! This has a fresh, old skool and real essence to it. It brings back memories of a great hip-hop era, sadly being submerged in dark forces of commercialism, no-brainer lyrics and self-gratification. This album is quite the opposite. The packaging is very funky, as is the CD. An EP from the album has been released, featuring the puslating breaks through 'Can't Stop The Bumrush', the 'Summertime' guitar-riffed and funky 'Speak Facts' and the laid-back, self-reflecting 'Moment in Time'. From the off, we have a jazz-laced grooving break over trumpet riff with 'Rebirth of Skill' - beat from Moo. Surreal flows incredibly smoothly as he challenges hip-hop to bring the skills back. "Just goes to show that the facts are expendable.. All you gotta have's a couple bucks and some distro. The songs suck but they play them in the disco." Word! A realistic assessment of too much commercial hip-hop music. Humour is injected throughout the album such as in 'Car and A Job' with a tasty beat from Ohmega Watts. DJ Balance brings some serious skills and funky breaks across the whole project, dropping a funk-tastic breaker in 'One Man Band'. Another standout track for me is 'Permanent Ink' (beat from Vintage), with a catchy female hook, 'The things I say..' featuring Braille and Sivion. We end perfectly with another outstanding down-tempo banger from Tony Stone, 'Let The Horns Blow' as Surreal, pointing to the one true, creator God. Sivion displays his mad skills as he plays saxophone on the track too. Winding down to a perfect ending. Run Time - 51.24.
Syntax Records - The Wages Of Syntax | TOP
Lots of different artists who come together to form this 18 track sampler album showcasing syntax records artists. Should be able to pick this up for around £2-£3. Worth listening too. Both tight and very varied production levels too! Different flows - go pick up a copy. Run Time - 68.19.
