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Lifesavas: Gutterfly
“All I got is my balls and my word,” Lifesavas declare on “Freedom Walk,” echoing Pacino in Scarface for a bracing slice of hip-hop activism that comes near the end of Gutterfly: The Original Soundtrack. With an aggravated beat and on-point lyrics—and welcome guest appearances from dead prez and Living Colour’s Vernon Reid—it’s one of the [...]
Continue reading...Robin Thicke: The Evolution Of Robin Thicke
26. April 2007
Is it possible that an artist be so talented, that record companies don’t have a clue about how to handle them? It happened with D’Angelo, it happened with Q-Tip, it’s still happening with The Roots. Robin Thicke is the latest victim of an amazing talent being left on the promotion department floor. Thicke’s sophomore album, “The [...]
Continue reading...Eulorhythmics: Extended Play
26. April 2007
With “Extended Play”, Eulorythmics created created one of the best sleeper albums of 2005. Part of the All Natural clique out of Chicago, Eulo’s unique, lackadaisical, style intertwines seemingly effortless rhymes with soulful production. The result is a mellow yet engaging listening experience. As background music or as the center of the party, “Extended Play” [...]
Continue reading...Goapele: Change it All
26. April 2007
In the South African language of Tswana, “Goapele” means “to go forward,” and that is exactly what this Oakland-born singer- songwriter tries to do with the often criticized neo-soul genre. Born to an Israeli mother and a father who was a South-African political exile, Goapele was born into the blood of social consciousness and political [...]
Continue reading...Madvillan: Madvillany
26. April 2007
In 2004, two of Hip-Hop’s most under-appreciated artists–the legendary underground producer/DJ, Madlib and the eccentric and ultra talented rapper/producer MF DOOM–teamed together creating a super-group called Madvillain. Consequently, they released what was easily the most anticipated underground Hip-Hop album in recent memory, “Madvillainy.” Veering from the traditional formula of most of today’s Hip-Hop albums of syncopated [...]
Continue reading...Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition
26. April 2007
Murs of the West Coast’s Living Legends crew has had a sizeable buzz and following for some time within the underground, largely due to his association with the premier independent label Def Jux. His celebrity rose in 2004 as he partnered with then up-and-coming producer 9th Wonder for Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition. This album [...]
Continue reading...Platinum Pied Pipers: Triple P
26. April 2007
In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records, which is responsible for breaking some of the biggest names in the recording industry’s history including, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Michael Jackson. Along with Gordy, these artists helped create “The Sound of Motown” and helped establish Detroit as the centerpoint of this [...]
Continue reading...Zion I: True & Livin’
26. April 2007
Beautiful music…this is not a phrase often used to describe Hip-Hop but the sonic qualities of tracks like ‘Bird’s Eye View’ and ‘One Chance,’ two of True and Livin’s notable songs beg to be regarded not only as exceptional Hip-Hop, but excellent music overall. On “Tru & Livin,” Zion I’s third full album release, they further [...]
Continue reading...Corinne Bailey Rae: Corinne Bailey Rae
26. April 2007
With the her self-titled album, Corinne Bailey Rae, the British soul singer has been compared to Billie Holiday, Sade and even Erykah Badu. Such high praise could be career ending. Fortunately for Corinne, she steps up to the challenge by being herself and delivering such anthems as, “Put Your Records On”, a sister-girl feel-good record. About [...]
Continue reading...Common: One Day It Will All Make Sense
26. April 2007
Bursting on the national scene in 1991 as one of The Source magazine’s “Unsigned Hype,” Common released his first album, Can I Borrow A Dollar in 1992, a mix of youthful exuberance and raw B-Boy braggadocio. Can I Borrow A Dollar assured Common a spot in the sun, however, it was his second LP, Resurrection [...]
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21. May 2007
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