Get To Know H.E.R.

Hits: Die In Your Lap, Choose, Merciless (Interlude), Mercy, Ghetto World, Hands High, What’s Wrong, Guf 2, Everything, Reborn (Dana)

Strikes: Shame

Balls: Don’t Be Afraid (Intro), Hello World (Interlude), Our Song (Interlude)

Two reviews back to back. Signs of things to come I would say. Man, the low expectations I have for myself…

Anyways, today’s review is also of an album that dropped this past Tuesday, Cesar Comanche’s Die In Your Lap. If I am to believe the press release for this album, this is his 6th album to date (although I only know of 3 before this one). I won’t say that I’m a fan of the man as I don’t actively check for his new releases religiously as I would for, let’s say Mos Def or Masta Ace. However, I’ve enjoyed the albums I’ve heard from him in the past, especially Squirrel and the Aces, and as such I had hopes for this album going in.

For the most part, I think Die In Your Lap was able to live up to my expectations. It was a consistent listen straight through and one or two of the songs in here are really quite good. The lion’s share of the production is handled by 9th Wonder and Cesar Comanche himself and the only misstep beatwise was on the Khrysis produced Shame. This was great news for the rapper because as it turns out, the production on this album was used as more than just a beat to rhyme to. Instead of simply being background noise, the beats were very well integrated into the songs themselves and Cesar Comanche took great care to make his songs whole musical pieces. When this worked, it worked very well such as on the song Ghetto World. It also worked well on the Merciless interlude, which is probably the only interlude that has ever made the hits list. The way in which the instrumental, which is good in itself, is used to lead into Mercy, which featues a tweaked version of the interlude’s beat, is simply something that needs to be heard.

Now everyone knows that good beats mean next to shit on a rap album (different story if this was an instrumental) if they aren’t accompanied by solid rapping. Fortunately for us Cesar Comanche, while no lyrical monster, is still more than proficient to hold an audience through 15 tracks. Good thing too, since there are no guest features to be found on this whole thing. If Comanche was a slouch on the mic, this album would’ve been a chore to listen to but in this case the lack of guest artists contributes nicely to a consistent sound and quality.

Fans of the Justus League, do yourself a favor and pick up this album. Hip hop fans who have never heard of the man before, feel free to take a risk and give the rapper a chance (and some money?). Fans of Lil Wayne, pick this album up and then also proceed to buy Midnight Marauders, Delron 3030, Liquid Swords, Illmatic, and Resurrection (I kid the Wayne stans!!! Although if anyone hasn’t heard those albums yet, they really should pick them up). In all seriousness, while this album will not be top 10 end of the year material (unless 4th quarter 09 is particularly horrible for hip hop), it’s still a very good listen and is a great album for the first quarter of the new year.

The WTF Moment: Merciless to Mercy. I don’t know. For one reason or another, I love it.

Hits: Children Of The Night (ft Bo Roc), Gangsta Music (ft Bo Roc), Don’t Ya Dare Laugh (ft Xzibit and Young De), Psycho Realm Revolution (ft Sick Jacken), 10 Steps Behind (ft Young De and Tekneek), Stackn Paper, 1 Life (ft Sen Dog and Mal Verde), Dude vs Homie, When They Hate You (ft Babydoll Refresh)

Strikes: When We’re Fucking (ft Kurup, Too $hort, and Young De)

Balls: Everything You Want (ft Buckshot), 6 Minutes (ft Young De and Tekneek), Fire (ft Camian Marley), Get That Dough (ft Babydoll Refresh), Dr Hyphenstein (Snoop Dogg, Young De, and Trace Midas)

I told you I would start up reviews again and I’ve held to my promise. And like I said, today’s review will be of B-Real’s solo LP, which dropped this past Tuesday. For those who don’t know (and there are a surprising number of people who don’t know), B-Real is the lead rapper for the veteran hip hop group Cypress Hill. While his group’s producer DJ Muggs has been quite the busy man in the past couple of years, dropping LPs with the likes of GZA and Planet Asia, B-Real on the other hand has stayed relatively quiet and inactive, other than a few mixtapes here and there. But for one reason or another he’d finally decided to get off his ass and record again, providing fans with his first ever solo album.

I gotta tell you, I’ve never really been the biggest fan of Cypress Hill back in the day. I still bump their debut from time to time and Insane In The Brain and Illusions are still that real shit but for the most part, they were never able to captivate my attention in the same way as other hip hop artists could. And you know what, the biggest reason I enjoyed Cypress Hill at all was usually DJ Muggs’ production, so going into this review, that was naturally my biggest concern. I’m glad to say that for the most part the production here holds its own pretty well. While I am disappointed that Muggs didn’t contribute even one beat to this project, I can’t say no to the production on tracks such as Children of the Night and When They Hate You. When They Hate You in particular, with its haunting beat and subtle vocals, was a standout and actually reminded me a lot of Portishead (this is always a good thing).

As far as the rapping goes, B-Real does his best to keep the audience’s attention. Now even the most die hard Cypress Hill fans have to admit that B-Real was never ever the most proficient rapper and I guess the man himself knows that as well, since the album was chock full of guest artists. As with all albums that are littered with guest rappers, B-Real sometimes gets lost among the crowd but to the man’s credit, he does hold his own on the two completely solo tracks. But the rapping never really gets to be that great.

Which brings us to the main problem with this album. It’s not bad by any means. In fact, I had a good time listening to it (except that mess of a last track). However, just as Cypress Hill was never able to do as a group, B-Real was also never able to fully captivate me. There were no moments where I was truly buggin out listening to the tracks and quite honestly, the only song I really remember right now is When They Hate You and maybe 1 Life. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s a solid effort. It’s a good, decent album worth a spin or two when you need some music to chill to. Unless you’re a big fan of B-Real, I would say it’s not essential that you listen to this joint (you should instead listen to OC’s album of the very similar but not exactly the same name). However, I personally will be keeping When They Hate You in rotation for a while after this.

The WTF Moment: Kurupt and Too $hort being featured on the hands down worst track really makes me shake my head. What a waste of talent.

Note: The WTF Moment is just something new I’m trying out. It’ll be anything that really stuck in my mind after listening to the album through. This can be either good or bad and can be anything from a particularly good verse, a horrible song, an unlikely pleasant surprise collaboration, etc.

Peace and props to MeccaGodZilla for this. You guys should check him out sometime. Erroars is that shit.

Anyways, this is the promo release of MF Doom’s next album, Born Like This. Actually, I guess we should get used to calling him just DOOM from now on. All caps too…he insists…although what difference would that make when you’re saying the name? Would you have to emphasize the word like “DOOM!!!” ?? Geez, the man is obnoxious but damn it if he isn’t a sick rapper. But yeah…enjoy yourselves

Tracklising:
1. Ballskin
2. Lightworks
3. Angelz (ft Ghostface and Raekwon)
4. Cellz
5. That’s That

link: http://www.sendspace.com/file/ib9uyx

As for normal entries, I’ll start it up again Thursday. And since I’m falling a bit behind (bit is an understatement, I know), I’ll start with my reviews of 09 albums. And what better to start with than B-Real’s Smoke and Mirrors, which actually is out in stores today. Peace til then.

 Cymarshall Law, who is one of the Rawkus 50, just dropped 2 mixtapes, Cyology 3: The Freedom Writer and Two Thousand Mine, for free download to his fans. He’s a pretty good rapper and in fact, all of the Rawkus 50 guys are tight in their own right. Check out the two tapes and make sure to also check out his 2008 LP, Hip Hop In The Soul.

Cyology 3: The Freedom Writer
http://www.sendspace.com/file/oq26ar

Two Thousand Mine
http://www.sendspace.com/file/m12mf7

In other news, Stoupe of Jedi Mind Tricks fame is finally releasing a solo LP on our asses. It’s called Decalogue and is due to hit stores March 31st. Stoupe is an excellent producer and his beats have a feeling of grandness to them. I mean honestly I’ve always listened to Jedi Mind Tricks more for Stoupe’s beats than Vinnie’s rhymes (not to take anything away from VP). With guest spots from rappers such as Saigon, Joell Ortiz, MOP, and the usual Army of the Pharaohs crew, this is going to be one heck of an album. Look for it in the near future.

Cali’s underground rap phenomenon just dropped a mixtape/album for download on his myspace. Most of ya’ll should know who this guy is by now. If you don’t, you really should pick up a copy of any one of the projects he’d dropped in the past 2 years. Although I would recommend you pick up Below The Heavens first, since it is, in my humble opinion, a post 2000 hip hop classic. Anyways, here’s the tracklisting and his own words, followed by the link. I hate how this guy types by the way, regardless of the dopeness of his music.

01_Love
02_Amnesia
03_Since
04_Morning
05_Melo
06_Wind(terludeOne)
07_When(terludeTwo)
08_Silent
09_Pardon
10_Vanity
11_Beggars’/BlackGold
12_Celln’Ls
13_Untiled(LovedU)2
14_Peace

Finally,
AsIfIleftYouWaiting.
NoBigWords,JustFeelings
Congrats,YouAreTheBest!
ThankUForYourTime,
TheEnd
CreditsRollForever
AndWeStillSittingInTheTheater,

TrippingLike,
IDidntKnowAllMyBoysWereInThisFilm
IKnewHim,Him,Them&Them.
ProductionCreditsGoToMe,
ForProvidingTheSet,TheProps,TheStandIns&StuntMen.
AndMostOfAllForCastingTheNewLeadCharacter.
WhoGotTheGrammies?
Oscar&Granny,TheTitleOfTheFilm.
SlatedForAFullLengthButEndedUpAShort
w/TonsOfSpecialFeatures,
Fuck.
INeverWatchedThose.
SomeOneToldMeICouldBorrowTheDVD.
ILaughed,Cried,Smiled&ShoutedOutObscenities
ThenBowed.
TheEnd.

ToYouAll,FromMyApreciationForYourInspiration.
HerFavoriteColorIsntBlu(e)ItsU.
ProducedByMe.
ForYou,
All.

GoodDay

http://www.mediafire.com/?nnyynnnt50y

I know, it’s been a LONG time since I’ve last posted. Everything should be up and running again by next Wednesday or so. For now, here’s a couple of promotional news and mp3s from the inbox.

First up is the upcoming release of one of my favorite underground artists, emcee and producer, Kero One. His last album Windmills of the Soul was simply amazing, his sophomore LP, Early Believers, is one of my most anticipated for this year. Here is the link to one of the tracks off the album; it’s called Welcome to the Bay. Early Believers will be out April 7th.

http://media.audibletreats.com/KERO_ONE-Welcome_to_the_Bay.mp3

Second bit of news for today is that underground rap group, Tanya Morgan, is preparing for the release of their sophomore LP, Brooklynati, which is also due April 7th. For those who don’t know, Tanya Morgan is a dope group that formed over the internet, much in the same way Foreign Exchange did. It’s the collaboration of Brooklyn’s Von Pea and Cincinnati’s Donwill and Illyas. Check out their Moonlighting LP and Bridge EP if you haven’t already. Here’s the promo mp3.

http://media.audibletreats.com/Tanya_Morgan-How_Low.mp3