ALBUM REVIEW: IV The Polymath – New Vs. Old
In the past few years, instrumental hip-hop albums have started to garner widespread attention. Previously, MCs used to seek out beat tapes to practice their rhymes or find producers for their albums. Nowadays, producers can release entire projects that don’t sound out of place without a rapper spitting over the tracks. This tradition of showcasing beats without rappers started back in the mid 90s with the help of artists such as DJ Shadow and his album “Endtroducing.” The latest release to come across my desk in this genre is IV the Polymath’s “New Vs Old.”
ALBUM REVIEW: Hi-Hat Club Vol. 6 – Haus & Garten
In the sixth instalment of Melting Pot Music’s Hi-Hat Club releases, the award winning turntablist turned producer DJ Adlib brings the series back to its roots in Cologne, Germany with Haus & Garten.
“Enter” powers up and introduces you to the vibe of this album. Strong drums, synthesizers and prominent bass are the main ingredients throughout and DJ Adlib utilises them well to create his own style. In fact the album, like previous volumes, revels and finds many of its strengths in the varied, liberal sounds employed which mean the tracks are far from clear cut hip-hop beats.
ALBUM REVIEW: John Graham – Success In Retrograde
John Graham - The Ground Floor (prod. Kuddie Fresh)
Success In Retrograde is a 7 track EP from John Graham. The opening starts strongly with “The Ground Floor”, which encorporates a furiously fast BPM and a celebratory feel. It is most striking for it's sense of purpose and hunger which almost fly out from your speakers. John is making sure you pay attention to his lyrics which range from politics to the apocalypse. He knows how to flow and is showing off on this record by making it sound easy.
ALBUM REVIEW: Common – The Dreamer / The Believer
2011’s final hip-hop blockbuster release came in the way of Common’s ninth studio album. For the first time in over a decade, fellow Chicagoan and producer No I.D. returned to take the role of handling the entire production on this album, no doubt to the delight of many fans who still had the sour taste of 2008’s divisive Universal Mind Control in their mouths.
However a lot has happened with Common since then; an emerging acting career, a published book of memoirs and a performance at the White House to name a few updates. The fact that he has maintained a strong reputation within hip-hop throughout pursuing these additional endeavours, especially the first of the above, is commendable.
In the months preceding, Common described the positive vibe that this album was headed for, which was nothing really new to anyone listening to the majority of his discography over the years. Nonetheless, expectations were hopeful at the reunion of the two long-time friends on The Dreamer / The Believer.
BEST OF 2011: Top 10 Albums
Rounding off our series looking back at the year of 2011 in hip hop is our list of ten albums that you should endeavour to get your ears around, if you have not already done so. Read on to see the dopest of the dope both under and above ground within hip hop.
1. Dela - Translation Lost
“Melancholy, nostalgia, but also hope and aspiration, these are the feelings Translation Lost will inspire.”
French producer Dela showed us how he can speak volumes with little words on his sophomore album earlier in the year. Layered and emotive instrumentals formed the backbone of an exploration into his music craft which encompassed an array of styles. Taking it to that next however was a roster of MC's of the highest order including the underground favourite Blu, and the relatively enigmatic Reach who carried the track "Go On" with lyrical finesse. In a climate of countless hip-hop producers it is a commendable feat to stand apart with a style as unique as this.
Bottom line; for any fan of Hip-Hop this is an album to appreciate highly, whether your preference is for beats or lyrics, this album excels in both and puts Dela firmly on the map as a producer to keep your eyes on.
Dela
---------------------------------------
ALBUM REVIEW: Nujabes – Spiritual State
Nujabes is one of those artists that left such a strong impression on his listeners and created such an important legacy that he will never be forgotten. His music will still be celebrated for decades to come and many producers will continue to be inspired by the late genius, in the same way as they are with J. Dilla, who was similarly discreet and mysterious, becoming a sort of icon after his untimely death. The two producers actually have many common points besides their departure at the same early age, the most important of them being how they changed the way people perceive and produce music. This third album by Nujabes is yet another piece that will help build his legacy and almost sounds like a message from the other side from the late producer. All the elements that were present in his previous projects and that can be described as his signature sound can be found in Spiritual State, but there is an enhanced feeling of mystery and spirituality, as is emphasised with the title.
Continue Reading After The Jump...
ALBUM REVIEW: The Roots – Undun
Undun is a concept album which tells the story of a fictional character named “Redford Stephens”. It is similar in content to the movie “American Gangster” but features a fresh outlook and innovative production. I love the Roots because they rarely disappoint with their work. This time they've even took things up another level, delivering a hip-hop classic. This LP has everything you could possibly want from an album, the lyrics are insightful, the flows are on point and the music is nothing short of stunning. The bar has been set with this project for how hip-hop should sound in 2012 and beyond.
ALBUM REVIEW: Shinsight Trio – Moonlight Sunrise
Shin-Ski, Insight and DJ Ryow (a.k.a. Smooth Current) are Shinsight Trio. Around 2002, whilst touring the U.S., Insight meets producer Shin who introduces him to Ryow. Compatibility is established and they release the critically acclaimed debut Shallow Nights Blurry Moon in 2006. Combining progressive lyrical content with a heavy jazz and soul inspired production backdrop, many ears were won. However due to its release limited to Japan, it failed to have as influential an impact as it deserved in the west. Nonetheless they sparked a strong cult following, aligning themselves with a lot of the jazzy, melodic sounds being discovered in the alternative hip hop scene in the east.
It however took 4 years for the sophomore Somewhere Beyond The Moon, but all in good stead as it delivered well on high expectations. In the interim, the individual members embarked on solo and side projects; Insight and Damu The Fudgemunk released the highly acclaimed Travel At Your Own Pace as Y Society, Shin-Ski released instrumental and collaborative albums featuring prominent artists such as The Procussions, Othello and Funky DL whilst DJ Ryow built a strong body of work including the strongly praised Scenes From Life.
Moonlight Sunrise therefore follows a very respectful lineage as the ill trio re-unite for their third album.
ALBUM REVIEW: Open Mike Eagle – Rappers Will Die Of Natural Causes
"Rappers Will Die Of Natural Causes" is a title which pokes fun at the hyper-masculine image of mainstream Rap. For all of the posturing and bravado, when the dust has settled statistics show rappers will not die in a blaze of gun fire, but from the same regular causes as the rest of us. This truthful statement is an excellent glimpse into the mind of Open Mike Eagle and his vision of 'rap for grown up's'. Commerce has turned much of what we loved about hip-hop into music's version of the WWF and it's artist's like Open Mike Eagle who we can look to for an authentic alternative. The cover alone will have fans spending hours trying to discern it's message and it's brash commentary on the erosion of hip-hop culture.
ALBUM REVIEW: Concept — Impromptu Notes
Even before I first listened to Concept's beautiful Impromptu Notes, I knew I would most probably love it. An album that is described as a "Jazz inspired homage to an art form that paved the way for Hip-Hop" already sounded like something I would greatly appreciate. Blending jazz and hip-hop is obviously nothing new, as the quote itself suggests, but making the importance of the former genre of music and its influence on the latter that obvious and natural is something few producers choose to do. Those lovely notes played by the New Zealand-based producer take us on a journey through time, music and space, as the different tracks explore peaceful, soothing and cosmic landscapes, while the few guests sprinkle the music with inspiring and uplifting gems.
Continue Reading After The Jump...
WIB Top 10 Albums Of 2011
WIB Interview With Eric Lau
-
2,170 Fans Like
-
2,016 Followers Follow
-
522 Subscribers Subscribe
WIB Store Now Open
Categories
Monthly Archives
Word Is Bond Exclusives
Ads
Tags
Ads
