Get to Know: Revolutionary Rhythm

           After Fellowship I started exploring the producers work, and Rythmatical really led me in many directions. From the works of Lorisoul, to Rhyme Crusaders, as well as the cast of Behind the People. Revolutionary Rhythm was one of those featured on the BtP project. And the opening track of the album, "1 Step Ahead" really got my attention once I became familiar with the album. So I watched there video on YouTube, and what do you know! They possessed a Bandcamp page, and kept checking out there work, till I was convinced to download "Just Listen" there big mixtape. I have really loved it, so now they I have explained how I discovered them, let me give you a little of what they are about.

         Being part of the underground these two MCs, out of Cali, they make one hell of a duo. Using the tight production that Rhythmatical used to spark my interest in all these artists, I already knew I would be digging the style of R2. Several things I love about these guys. They really pay respect to the golden age of hip-hop, and are representers of that old-school style. But keeping it unique at the same time. There are tracks like, "Only a Song" where they just master a deep track that is very smooth. Another track, "Burning Tongue", showcases Pre-Dom's skills and his flexibility in styles, where he came hard on a raw beat, classic old style! The rap was reminiscent of say, Jaz-o and Jay-z back when they were both starting out. When it was just that rush of words comin' at yeah. While not only referencing these old school folks, "we listenin' to Tribe and some Gang Starr", but they bring something totally unique. These guys are quite modest and are very respectful of women, which is always nice when bumpin' shit with a lady friend. But they really do make those good love tracks, without any corny or otherwise disrespectful lyrics. Certainly you will see this on tracks like, "There She Goes Again", "Smooth" and funkier tracks like, "She Said". Just good tracks where they just spill there soul about girls, not bad at all. And when you wanna play a track to your friends and impress them, you can blast jams like "Return" and "Raw Rhythm", the latter showcasing there skills to just bounce off one another ripping up a beat. Also using great techniques in production: sampling movies/songs, and bringing the scratches back. Then there is just smooth tracks. My favorite being "Los Angeles Times". Mind you, I have just this one mixtape, and I only hope they make more. And of course I'll be doing some in-depth reviews of the tracks as well.

There bandcamp page:
http://revolutionaryrhythm.bandcamp.com/
Here you can get all there music. Only so much now, but Kid Abstrakt has released his own album just a month back. So I have hopes of more music in the near future.

Also Rhythmatical's Bandcamp:
http://rythmatical.bandcamp.com/
Start where all my exploration began, pretty soon you will be listening to like 8 other artists. Here Lorisoul's work is hosted, as well as Fellowship, and some other projects. Remember City Lights Beat Tape 12/24/11.

Happy music hunting!

Good Morning - Nas - Unreleased

            A nice track from Nas. Very relaxing and definitely reminds you of morning and those lazy days. The vocals add the soul to it which just really helps gives you peace, the whole track is soft and Nas does an excellent job putting himself out on this track, giving his personal story of the many mornings he has spent in the city. Being in a rural area myself, definitely makes his vision more interesting and powerful, and I imagine could be just as effective if it were relatable to someone. I would like to focus on the production and go deep into the verses on this one.
            The production makes it easy to listen to, easy on the ears if you know what I am saying. Makes it a perfect tune to come back to every now and then. When you are feeling down, trying to revive yourself from some wild  night, or maybe putting you to sleep. Not to say the track is boring, not at all, Nas gives many descriptions of the city. The police spilling coffee, the garbageman, and the mother and her two kids. Here is where the rap really takes it interesting, Nas shines bright to careful listeners, but remains subtle to those who still want to relax to this track. He describes the mother's whole situation in just a couple of bars, with her kids, the crumbling house, and the crumbling relationship she has with her husband. As he goes on, he describes the rest of the city life, some "creep" he meets. All this he does with great talent, and a remarkable flow that goes easy with the track, without clashing with the soft music.
              The break comes in with some light vocals with "good morning cause i'm still here, couldn't get a wake  up call from out there, so imma head back to the street for a lesson, and only live by gods blessing.". I really love the words on that track. "couldn't get a wake up cal" is quite a deep line for me. The singer confesses that they need to learn something, and perhaps he needs some great sign, so as to come to a realization. However, he needs to leave his current situation. Which we would assume is his house, as he plans to head back to the streets. So perhaps he has been kept isolated and needs to breakout and learn something, returning to something that he once visited. All the while he remain moral, living by "gods blessing", whatever that may be. Very philosophical once you look at it. Those words demonstrate advancement in life, even if we need to head back and learn a thing or two. Amazing, progressive and very much a motivator.
              Then the second verse comes in. Nas brings up another day, with more about his life and less detail about the current state of the city in which he awakes. He has learned, no longer living life "the foul way". He has made an advancement. His friends return from jail, and some criminal has been caught. Apparently street life was too boring, which really implies the criminal was foolish, as we were just given a vivid story of everyday in Nas' project. Just another way of looking at it. The environment is often changed as he remarks, "won't believe it's the same street". Then he gets breakfast, and the day begins from there...

              The structure of the song is in fact remarkable! Nas is at first simply explaining what he sees in the city and goes on with his day after taking in his surroundings and sudden thoughts, such as the story of the mother that he quickly explained. However, applying the philosophical meaning from the chorus, Nas then awakes once again in the city. Now every second of his life is "pure healing". He is now following the light, or "gods blessing". His friends are out of jail. Yet he now has a different view of the city, literally, as he says most of the hood is still asleep. Also he may see it differently because he has returned and learned his lesson. Truly astounded what I discovered from this track.

Of course you can just look at this as a smooth ride, and a rare jem from Nas. Seems some of his best works are in fact those rare unreleased tracks. Which always make us wonder, why wasn't it released. Either way, glad to have it in my possession now.

And of those who simply want to listen/getahold of this track here you go!

Download a bunch of Nas' unreleased works! Some of course you will understand why they weren't released, but others will make you glad you discovered them!

http://www.datpiff.com/Nas-UnreleasedRemixesCollaborations-mixtape.157294.html

However, please note. Several tracks are listed, but aren't actually added. Including this very song, so you may have to youtube-mp3 it. Best of luck and enjoy!

Addiction - Kanye West

We can be addicted in many ways, and some are better than others. 

           One of several tracks I never really got around to in the review of Late Registration, but every track has simply gotten better with time. And I figured it only be fair to review this track. Taking place in the middle of this masterpiece it stands as one of the darker smoother tracks, sorta explained in the Late Registration closing, as that "story" progresses. This was always one of the tracks I wasn't quite into when first listening, now I absolutely love it. That low jazz sound Ye and Brion brings on this track is just beautiful, with some interesting variation as the track progresses.
            The rap is pretty tight, Ye goes through his addictions and I sorta like the direction he takes on this track. However, once again West teaches me that to focus less on the rap and more on the overall song, and what we get out of the music. The theme becomes basically a song of scandal and cheating. Really matches the sample of soul on this track that helps to add that elegance to the wrong being committed. He goes further and further into this story, which really becomes quite sexual at the very end. Believe it or not I had never seen that coming in the track, and it took me the longest time till I knew what he was saying and how dirty it was. His flow on this track is perfect, and he tones down his voice to glide right along with the fast pace driven by the drums and claps, and that quick piece of the guitar. I absolutely love the production, it is probably the most laid back track on the album, and has a lotta soul brought into it. Just a mellow track that really draws you in, but even then the emotion of the song concentrates towards the end as you follow the story, which progresses and gets more sensual, or whatever word you want to use. To the point where it really picks up pace and just fades out with "baby! baby! y'know I was just kiddin'" as Ye reassures he wouldn't go through with what he just previously explained, which I also shouldn't need to explain.
             The orchestration shines on this track, fitting right into Late Registration, which as you already know has its own unique style in every song. While every track boasts the elegance and class through the live instrumentation, Addiction brings the smooth quickness in a darker tone, that is in many ways similar to Roses, which is genius in my opinion, as it is only two track further back from Addiction. The sample is "My Funny Valentine" performed by Etta James. Which is were we get that lovely guitar, and the "make me smile with my heart, oooohhh". Simply beautiful, once again another sample that gets me hooked. As both tracks are quite similar to each other, which can actually be different with other sampled works. My point being, if you like Addiction, you will love the sample, as it gives you what you liked from this track, and changes it up. Magnificent work once again.

"My Funny Valentine" A beautiful piece.

And of course, what is your addiction?
It is money, is it girls, it is weed?
Or it something more unique, than simple greed?
Whatever it maybe, I am sure we all have one, whether it be good in our lifes, or ruin us. I feel as though Addiction serves for the latter, as Kanye brings us his experience of addiction, and shares the pleasure he feels when that craving is satisfied, but how it can be misconstrued through the eyes of others. After all, why does everything SO bad, make us feel so good?
Felt some philosophy was needed for this post. Another track of a billion to go!


     

ALBUM REVIEW: Fellowship - Ascience, Aud. One, Illoquence, Rythmatical

          As I mentioned a while back, I really got into 9th Wonder, still love his stuff. So much I created another grouping on instrumentals, that was strictly from searching YouTube. Under this process, I stumbled upon some guy called "Rythmatical" and this album called "Fellowship. Well let me tell you I had no idea what I was about to get into. I eventually looked him up and discovered his Band-camp page, which I had also just discovered existed, and have since used to find other artists.
       
As for Fellowship itself:
          It is basically a beat tape made by a group of dope producers, simply beautiful music, and the instrumentals are absolutely amazing. Because it was made by them, you could really tell they put a lot of heart into the beats. Unlike alot of beat tapes you might get from famous producers, or just instrumentals, they aren't drawn from albums and then put up on YouTube. So they sound quite amazing, and there is really a nice progression throughout each beat, which really helps to keep my attention and the beats don't feel like some never ending loops. There is a good 28 tracks, 7 from each producer. Each artist kinda brings there own sound to it, to the point where you can kinda separate their tracks on the album.
          The sounds are very refined and clear, and they make beats just as good as anyone else would. You could safely say this was my first experience with the underground hip-hop scene. So I was really surprised when I found guys in their teens were producing and rapping, to some amazing level of realness that I hadn't really seen before. That is what makes these guys stand out to me, quality music on such an obscure level in the world of music. Makes me question why they aren't more famous. Regardless, the tape really has everything on it.
Included on this most amazing package:

• Unique samples that really catch you, and have a lot of soul.
• Some real jazz qualities that add a lot of class to this album, really putting it up there for me!
• As I stated, the beats really have progression and don't really bore me at all. Which included the awesome transitions, and other breaks that really made it a cool experience.
• A wide range of beats that go from:  A happy catchy tune with sick vocal samples, tracks that bring a laid back jazz feel to it (Piano pieces ahead!), others are more triumphant and sorta boast brass instruments, then you have more serious tracks with some of the most perfect sampling of speeches from various sources. 
• A great idea of what is going on in the underground. And that there is some seriously amazing stuff out there. 

So yeah check out there BandCamp pages, as well as their Facebook Pages. I am sure they would appreciate some more listeners. Also Ascience told me there will be a beat tape coming on Christmas Eve. Called City Lights, needless to say I am very excited. And of course as is typical for me, chasing the older works that everyone has already heard. Should be posting more on Fellowship and associated works.

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm - Closing

         This album came as a sweet surprise to my library of hip-hop music. I was building a collection of Kanye West for sure, and a was getting classics from other artists, which consisted of the debuts of Biggie, Nas, and Jay-Z. Ha in fact that was about 90% of the hip-hop music I had. Very little obviously, but that certainly doesn't take away from the importance of the People's LP. It was just such a shift, as I stated before once I heard "Can I Kick It?" I was hooked! A light take on rap that I had never experience before, and now appreciate more than ever. As I fully understand what it means to have a diverse taste in hip-hop, and to appreciate any style that is dope and keeps it real.
          More specific to People's it really is separate from all the other Tribe albums. Being its debute, it was just so fun and kicked such good vibes, even more so than their other albums, while that is hard to say, as all the albums are fun, that is simply a given. Except that People's just even a different sound than later LPs, especailly before the Ummah became involved, more specifially J Dilla. At this point it was just Tip and Ali. Specific tracks that separate People's from the others are "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo", "Mr. Muhammad", and "Can I Kick It?". Really all the tracks would seem odd if placed on the other albums. That is why I found it so necessary to review this particular album, as it would give me a good start to reviewing the Tribe's material.

So what really did stand out to me on this LP?

• The vibe created from the lyrical content, that was consistent throughout the album.
• The Production that brought more funk and jazz into my Hip-Hop.
• The incredibly smooth flow of Quest, and their style of rap. They brought such a unique style to their lyrics and did it without the rapid delivery I had seen beforehand. Which as I stated made me question their skills at first. I'll address the issue on the bottom however.

What was new to me?

• All of the above really. Like I said, this really was just a new experience all together.
• As well as the greater focus on trading lines. As Phife Dawg and Q-Tip do a great job of doing.
• The first album I had that was really a group, everything else was simply single artists with features on their album. The album had not one feature actually! Unless you were to count DJ Cool Red Alert, well he certainly did give "Pubic Enemy" a hell of a lot more value! 

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm is a incredible album. 

The most important thing, it has taught me a lesson musically. Which brings me to the style of the rap. Yes, the rap was much different than what I had heard before from anyone. It sounded weak to me, simply because of the speed of the rap, which at that time meant to me that they couldn't flow well like other rappers.As you well know, they flow damn awesome! However at the time of me first getting it, I was quite ignorant of what flow actually was. Yet, since I loved it so much, I learned to really love music for what it is. This was an A Tribe Called Quest album, which had made it so hard to classify it's quality, as I had nothing to compare it to. But that was also the beauty of it! It let me take it for what it was, leaving me uninfluenced by any outside sources. In some cases, People's was the most pure experience musically, while at the closing track, I was the only judge of the album, being it was so obscure and not popular on the net at all. Taught me to except different music qualities, and as long as the music is pure and takes some talent, you should always appreciate it, even if you will never listen to it.

And at this point I almost have all the Quest albums! Just gotta get there last one! Been a long process reviewing this album, could've gone smoother of course.

Ham n' Eggs - A Tribe Called Quest

I don't eat no ham n' eggs, cause they're high in cholesterol 

          Ham n' Eggs is a hell of a track. This one is just the perfect idea of what the Tribe should make, perhaps I have been saying that for each track. But damn this is the perfect embodiment of Quest, it just is exactly who they are! For goodness sake there is no greater innocence than rapping around the food you love, and just jammin' out! A very funky beat to go with this light subject matter, which is yes! Ham n' Eggs, and all there other foods that the Tribe snacks on when they are questin'!
           The rhymes are quite addicting. Sure they may tops from Phife and Tip, but I'll be damned if I can see another 2 MCs go in on a track about breakfast and kill it. Not necessarily with speed, but just how they flow. That is one thing in particular I have noticed from the Tribe, there flow is remarkable. It is ridiculous how catchy some of the lines are. For example you got Tip:

Chicken for lunch, chicken for my dinner, chicken chicken chicken imma finga lickin' winner

Can't express how much flavor is in that line, disregarding puns, I am dead serious, these guys are just too damn smooth. Throughout they bounce back on and off with various foods, all based around pretty healthy stuff, which just makes it all the better. It is like you already got guys rappin' about breakfast food, and they emphasize healthy snacks, just really separates Tribe from the rest of the scene. Even using some humor in there lines. Phife and Tip:

Phife: Why, just the other day, I went to Grandma's house

Q-Tip: Smelled like she conjured up a mouse

The production is also quite interesting. Produce by Ali Shaheed Muhammad as well as Kareem Fareed, they really weld to the words of the 2 MCs. The funk of the guitar and the bounce of the drums just gives the track so much life and really get you groovin'. Then they just Tip just yells out: "BRIDGE!!!" then it just breaks down from there and we get a really dope tune to split the song. That and all the group vocals just makes me wanna jump right in, and surely I do every time. In fact someone on Youtube had commented once, "every true Tribe fan needs to make breakfast to this at least once". Damn how true that is, I would love to blast this as I am scramblin' eggs or something! Woo, while I have yet to do this, it will be on a bucket list somewhere, I assure you that.

They really killed it on the vibe. They came here to write a fun track about food, and add a lot of flavor musically, you can just feel it in the production! An amazing track on People's for sure! Maybe the lightest songs they have out there, they don't make anything like this anymore. But that is why we have the song in the first place.

• "Nappy Dugout" by Funkadelic (from the 1973 album "Cosmic Slop")
• "We've Gotta Find a Way Back to Love" by Frieda Payne (from the 1973 album "Reaching Out")