Music Reviews of Hip-Hop, Rap, Urban, Turntablism, R&B
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Hip-Hop, Urban, Turntablism, R&B
Early Clover — Love Man Buy it at Amazon
Early Clover performs the type of smooth R&B/soul “love-making” music that is used in campy romance movies. Something about it is undeniably cheesy and reminds a listener of the performance by Sexual Chocolate in Eddie Murphy’s “Coming to America”. Fortunately he’s not a bad singer and the music production is good. But there’s only so much you can take and thirteen tracks of the exact same thing over and over again could be too much for some.
- J-Sin
Boban Markovic Orkestar — Boban I Marko Buy it at Amazon
This Gypsy traditional brass band are remembered mostly due to their contribution of Emir Kusturica’s film “Underground” where they contributed to the soundtrack. Being from the bomb-ravaged country Serbia, many would think that this would be a celebration of depression and heartache but you would be way off base. This is just a pure celebration of the traditional Gypsy brass sounds. Rising star Marko Markovic is the 15-year old son of the bandleader, Boban, who himself has won the “Best Trumpet” prize at the Guca Festival in Central Serbia so often that he doesn’t need to even compete. And now his son is amazingly ready to take up his reins. “Magija” features Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars and is an amazing piece. This album alone will have you appreciating brass instruments more so then ever before.
- J-Sin
Nhojj — Someday Peace Love & Freedom Buy it at Amazon
Nhojj is no stranger to pressure or fame after having performed before the Presidents of Guyana and Trinidad. “Someday Peace Love & Freedom” marks the second album from this genuine Caribbean-fueled soulster. His knack for putting soft hooks overtop of his incredible vocal range is unmatched. The blend of reggae, soul, jazz, and R&B coalesces and makes his message that much clearer and more important. And his intimate delivery is unparalleled and will speak to audiences from any background. It’s music like this that gives us hope for the human race.
- J-Sin
J. Armen — Plan B Buy it at Amazon
J. Armen’s early life has a direct impact on the Latin jazz-rock fusion contained within the eight-song strong “Plan B”. Born as the son of a great Armenian composer/poet Arthur Meschian behind the Soviet Iron Curtain, his musical soul was torn into two distinct directions—one a decided artist life and the other a cold crisp lack of music exposure. Its those two conflicting influences that permeate this album. After studying guitar with renowned professor Robin Stone (Berklee College of Music), Armen assumed this stage name (dropping his last name) and at the early age of 18 became the lead guitarist of Bones, Inc. a Boston native band. His career continued upwards and in 2001 he began to write his first solo album finishing it up in 2003. Those two years of hard work and dedication result in a majestic venture into soulful Latin jazz and smooth R&B flecked rock.
- J-Sin
Bio Ritmo — Bio Ritmo Buy it at Amazon
The world of the recorded sound has a new hero in the Latin salsa clasica Bio Ritmo. Expanding on the typically bland romantic salsa sounds that are traditionally thought of when thinking of the salsa scene in the Latin pop world, Bio Ritmo combines intriguing use of the Spanish language as art form and poetry. The inspiration of Marvin Santiago and other classic salseros and soneros are the back drop for many of the metaphoric lyrics, conveying feelings, and illustrating concepts rather than blatantly bleating like sheep. And it’s that exact attitude and creative license that propels this self-title release past the doldrums of modern salsa.
- J-Sin
Illogic — Celestial Clockwork Buy it at Amazon
Four years ago Illogic had his hip-hop debut and this is his third album that features his superb spoken word rap style. “Celestial Clockwork” was entirely produced by Blueprint (Soul Position and Greenhouse Effect) and showcases incredible talent towards merging avant garde sounds with the more traditional beat-oriented hip-hop style. Despite the fact that this is a concept album and the intelligent lyrics it doesn’t lead you to believe that this is meant for the music elites or connoisseurs but they will certainly even blow those minds. “Birthright” has that kind of dark yet light vibe and downhome groove that hasn’t dominated hip-hop in a long time. Check out “1,000 Whispers” with its familiar sample. Good stuff and probably one of the best hip-hop albums of the year.
- J-Sin
24K — Quotable Buy it at Amazon
Move over hip-hop, 24K is here. Quite possibly the best female rapper that I’ve ever had the pleasure to listen to, 24K draws on her mixed heritage stemming from her Jamaican father (which incensed the cultural rivalry between Haitians and Jamacians) and Greek mother. Check out her ragga-styled “A Who Dat”, which is a nod to the dancehall scene and her own background. She has trained to be a professional boxer and her toughness has the type of moxie that most men can’t come close to. Mashonda who also sang the catchy hook on Eve’s “I Got a Man” and Jay-Z’s “Girl’s Best Friend” sings the melody line on “Peel Off”. Forget all the big players in the hip-hop scene, this is fucking mint.
- J-Sin
Paradox — Nice New Life Buy it at Amazon
Paradox discusses Christianity as a way of life throughout his hip-hop album. As one of the founding members of GetGospel, Paradox has shown the world that if you’re blessed with talent in his eyes you should push your skills to the max and spread the word of God. It’s refreshing to hear hip-hop this positive and spiritually lifting instead of the lame bling-bling thug crap that’s immediately thought of when people think of hip-hop or urban music. The beats are thick and heavy, while the production and engineering jobs are inconceivably wonderful.
- J-Sin
Tamara — My Life Buy it at Amazon
Christian R&B artist Tamara releases her first solo record on GetGospel Records. In ’98, her and several friends formed GetGospel Ministries, which is a community dedicated to channel their talents to introduce Jesus Christ to those who haven’t found him yet. And while I personally am not Christian nor religious in any fashion (nor do I plan on becoming) I find the music inspiring and meaningful in an uplifting way. And its done with Tamara’s incredible voice rather than relying on over-the-top production, although G-Force and Rock from Jahrock’n Productions do a stellar job of arrangements.
- J-Sin
Sympatiko — Sympatiko Buy it at Amazon
Oykalo Hamill is one part of the acoustic duo Sympatiko; his influences and inspirations are stemmed from his Nation American heritage. The other piece of the puzzle is Joao Junqueira, a Brazilian whose Latin American influences lend uniqueness to this self-titled debut CD, which translates to “on the same wavelength” or “sympathetic”. The songs mood are insightful to the point of transcendence with “Mother Terra” showing Oykalo’s Native American wordless chants. This would be an important addition to anyone’s music collection.
- J-Sin
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