Arsonists: Blaze/Geembo's Theme/Flashback (Fondle 'Em)

Have the real Arsonists emerged? For those who thought the darkly fierce "Venom" and "Seed" were anonomalies next to the playful up-beat cheer of "The Session"...it seems that the battle-scarred Arsonists are here to stay. "Blaze" is aptly named as the rapid track fires at 100 bullets per minute. Some might find it a tad underproduced, but I think this sh*t sparks it up lovely. "Flashback" is interesting...all sample with no drums so it feels like it's missing an element yet it works with the concept which is an intelligent "back in the days" reminisce session. "Geembo's Theme" is rather more bizaare and is definitely an acquired taste (and its tribal-ized skit at the intro might raise some eyebrows, but the lyrics just don't stop hitting. A 12" well worth getting.

Be careful what you ask for. You might get it. After whining about a lack of hip hop remixes, the Beatnuts have paid me back for my imputence. At first glance, this EP screams, "hell yeah" to the Beatnuts fan. The 'Nuts remix seven songs, but the notion of a remix gets rather confusing. The solid remixes are the ones that the 'NUTS previously released, such as the "Get Funky" remix and the "Props Over Here" remix. However, on songs like "R U Ready II" and "Let Off a Couple II" the track remains the same...only the lyrics change. That in itself isn't horrible, but the sound mixing on some of these songs sounded just a step above 4-tracking it. The result is that some of these remixes feel more rushed than refined, which applies to the songs with new tracks like, "Off the Books" remix and "Let Off a Couple II". The remix of "No Equal" was a mistake considering how dope the original was and the new track doesn't do justice to its parent at all. There's also a new song "Treats" feat. NOGOODUS, AL, and the Rawcowtiks which doesn't sound like the 'Nuts at all...more like some generic New York quarter bin stock. All in all, there's a lot to listen to on this EP, but painfully little to enjoy. This is not what I meant by wanting more remixes.

An above-average NY-hype braggadocio sh*t. Boo Brown is better than Doo Doo Brown and the song's got this blazing horn track and scratched up hook that's got 'nuff verve. It may not break any new ground, but it'll get some play for a hot minute.

I think the single is decent, but overall, I ain't feeling it. This is getting to be an old gripe, but with Da Beatminerz, the Cocoa Brovas tracks just don't do it for me. BCC fans are going to be mad at me for such a quick dismissal, but f--- it, that's my piece about this one.

The latest Living Legends member to drop his own project, Eligh's new EP should make underground fans happy and might even surprise the rest of you. The beats on both sides are dope...especially "1998", the B-side jam. What might lose some folks is Eligh's seemingly freestyled lyricism which feels like it gets away from him at times. This was more apparent on the A-side which I thought was more "conventional" in terms of Living Legends material, but "1998" came more accessible both musically and lyrically. Fans of the Living Legends will want this one...and non-fans might rethink their biases.

A short, but sweet Gangstarr song which is tons doper than "Royalty", "Work" is some vintage Primo production and Guru actually (in my opinion) comes off. I've caught some flak from folks who think I'm being merciless on Guru, but hey, I don't think he's that great of an MC, at least no consistently but he does have his minutes, this song being an example. Unfortunately, it's about the only thing I remotely liked off the entire soundtrack.

And they don't have Organized Noize no mo either. This isn't your Goodie Mob from last year and I suspect some of their fans might cocking their ear in a quizative way at the new song. Me? Sh*t's interesting, but unlike the smooth funk that the Noize laid down, this was more much assaultive...kinda like Timbaland on some bad dust. You decide.

"Unexplained" is fairly conventional for a Gravediggaz song...if you know their style, you'll probably like it. I don't, so I didn't. But I'm feeling "12 Jewelz", the RZA solo joint from his upcoming album. Good, bassline-heavy beats and RZA's awkward flow doesn't so off here. Worth peeping.

Ini was the great Pete Rock project that never materialized...at least not in a timely manner. After one promo single, he was ghost... Until now.

Faster than you can mutter "white labels", Ini (and Pete Rock) are back with two 12"s (4 songs total) to lace on the hip hop massive. If you can only afford one, buy "Square One/Think Twice" but be careful...my copies actually were mislabelled (i.e. the two singles had each other's label). "Square One" is some classic groovy PR production - smooth and jazzy, while the flip "Think Twice" gets a touch more sinister, bringing in the Soul Brother for a cameo shot.

"To Each His Own" looks mightily impressive...Ini is joined by Pete, the Extra P and Q-Tip. Hell, I would've snapped it up on the name strength, but the song itself falls short of potential - mostly on account of the underproduced track. Still, it's nice to hear Extra P back on the mic, even for a hot second. The B, "Step Up" is definitely the better musical joint with some a fluid, subtle bassline keeping the rhythm flowing while the strings on the hook lifts the rest of the track up. Ini and several uncredited MCs (including Bobbito) share mic work for an interesting blend of lyri-stylees. Worth checking for, but like I said, if ya gotta pick one, got with "Square One".

With all due respect to the folks behind Conception, all whom I genuinely think are good peoples, I still haven't found any of their releases to be particularly compelling. This one included. Only "No Introdeezy" felt tight to me, and even then, it didn't rise above the spate of other projects out there. Kutfather, who does the rhymes has decent skills-nils, but he's not about to put the mic on meltdown alert. "One Man Band" is a rare DJ cut (rare insofar that this isn't a DJ 12") which I liked...actually, I think it's the best song on here, but that doesn't say much for the Kutfather. At the end of the medal round, Conception is playing like the Team USA hockey team - a big surprise given their potential.

All decent stuff but what's up with no radio edits? While I tend to frown on folks like Forte b/c he's so obviously being put on by the Fugees...he's not a bad MC...and this particular set of songs have enough going on musically and lyrically for a spin or two. Beyond that...I don't know...he's got talent, but not necessarily presence.

The A-side is unremarkable New York strong armed hip hop, but the B-side blazes it up with a piano-piercing track that left my ears bleeding. I can't say it's THE joint, but for those mixers trying to find something to throw in, this one should do the trick nicely.

Q-Tip's joint off the "Jive Unreleased Masters" project is the type of Ummah song that most fools hated on the last Tribe album. While I might ordinarily try to play devil's advocate, I'm not so inclined to do so here. It's just not a particularly striking song, either musically or lyrically. Probably one of the blandest joints Q-Tip has ever claimed credit for. It's just a damn shame that Consequence's "The Consequences" was left off this domestic 12". Those in Japan get to flex it though so give your Far East connect a ring.

Mad short, but mad sweet, Skillz' return on this 12" doesn't quite convince me that he was unfairly sh*t on - his LP was pretty banal...however, as Skillz suggest, fans are jocking Ras Kass and Canibus...why not give him some love too? The Bedroom Wizard keeps up his end of the partnership with a tight little beat. The b-side isn't quite as memorable though.

Surprisingly not quite as dope as I might have wanted. Their last releases have been strong in production and lyrics, but not all the tracks on this puppy really slam. I've had a hard time getting this review out b/c nothing really stands out to me as screaming, "I'm dope!" with the faint exception of Juice's joint which I was feeling. The thing is though: the rest of the EP is fine...there's nothing particularly flat, but in the flood of indies that roll through, it's hard for this EP to rise to the top. I recommend folks check it out, especially if you've liked previous Molemen material.

A surprisingly good 12" from yet another kid affiliated with the Brick Records project (Rebel Alliance). Lif's rhyme scheme is a bit unusual... "The Nothing" is the iller of the two joints though...7L comes up with a fine little beat and scratch routine. Worth a listen.

Any patient head with a sampler can make a beat - a good producer creates a legacy. Think of it like a portfolio of work that one can look back upon to show and prove how dope they were. Think of Premier's evolution in style over time, or Dr. Dre's.

DJ Spinna, arguably one of the hottest producers to finally hit the NY scene in the last two years, is a bit early in establishing a legacy, but he's taken off with the first important move: a sound. Spinna likes to freak high pitched echo effects, maxing out the ways in which repetition builds energy in a song. Think of how he remixed "Braggin Writes" or his beat for L Fudge's "What?" His sound is distinct - enough so that you can hear Spinna at work within the first four bars sometimes.

The downside is that a prolific producer who utilizes the same tricks too much starts to flatten out his own distinctions...think of it as too much of a good thing. Pete Rock in 1993 had a bad case of this, what with what sounded like a dozen remixes all out simultaneously. I felt that Premier hit this last year, especially with half-hearted beats for O.C. and others clogging it up. And I fear that Spinna is rapidly running that line as well. Right now, he has the L Fudge song, three cuts off the IG Off and Hazardous EP and then these two new 12"s.

Between the two unrelated singles, they feature a grand total of four new DJ Spinna beats, and best believe you can hear the consistency throughout. The NOTS Clik beats are the more mundane...not bad, but given that the crew isn't much to sneeze at either, the project has a throwaway feel to it. Again, it's not that Spinna's work isn't solid, but with so much material out there, the ability to distinguish on every project really requires some keen insight into musical diversity and the NOTS Clik 12" doesn't pull that off. Big L cameos by the way on "Work Is Never Done". Most of you already know how I feel about L so I leave my comment unelaborated.

The better single is the Polyrhythm Addicts, comprised by Mr. Complex, new female MC Apani B Fly Emcee and Shabaam Sadeeq who still seems to be searching for a label. Spinna tracks flips in some horn hits, key work and a noisy hook for a lovely sonic scramble. Lyrically too, these three are a step up on the game. The B-side remix, also done by Spinna chills the vibe a bit, going with a more muted synthesizer track and more prominent snares. It's a true remix, sounding nothing like the A and suggests that Spinna has the potential to make beats by the dozen and still keep each track distinct. Check for this one on Wreck Records.

Forget the A-side...typical wack attempt at crossing over. The B-side is a cliche-ridden gun clap type of joint, but I'm giving it a plug because the beat is iller than chicken flu...I can't figure out what kind of instruments in the background, but it's definitely on that head nod sh*t. Rhymes flow well even if they're just saying the same sh*t that MOP was cracking four years back. Yeah, I do like it raw...

My first time listening through, I thought this was Stonesthrow's first semi-flop, but upon further listening, I sold it too short. Persevere lacks Rasco's forceful presence and his rhyme patterns aren't always on beat, but the single's not that bad at all, especially for fans of the Bay underground. It's definitely got a step up, in terms of production, from other "demos-on-wax" indies. Not overwhelming, but better than you might think.

Pudgee's no worse than a lot of other blustering NY MCs who have his steelo down, but for some reason, he's never gotten anywhere, despite having decent songs and good cameos. These two different 12"s are an example...Ish from Digable Planets cameos on "Everyone Wants to be Hard" (Pudgee included though) and rips. The B-side has over-rated DMX chiming in. MOP and their gun clap posse kicks it on the "Money Don't Make the World Stop" remix (a good song) but "History" should have been left in the classroom, not on the tape loop. So how come people don't give Pudgee no love while Lord Tariq (who appeared with Biggie and Pudgge on "Think B.I.G.") are blowing up like illegal firecrackers on Chinese New Year?

While I haven't been a huge fan of his previous work, this new 12" kind of rocks on the merits of Nick Wiz' iller-than-sh*t beat on "Soundclash". H Y P E. "5 Star Generals" is more disappointing as DJ Spinna's beat just doesn't clock too much damage (see NOTS Clik review). "Pendilum" was good...a nice bonus track that they didn't have to drop but did. Well worth grabbing on the strength of the title song though...Sahdeeq still doesn't grab me as an MC but he's no wack MC f---ing up the raw beat.

I've already written about this song, but upon re-listening I realized I didn't say enough last time. This song is very, very dope. "Body Rock" might be the cut that everyone plays, b/c of the line-up, but "Manifesto" is the unsung classic. Kweli is quickly establishing himself as one of the most thoughtful and intelligent MCs to emerge from the NY scene. Even Mos Def, who's got talent galore, seems pedesterian next to Kweli, whose "Manifesto" is an anthem for so-called "true hip hop" if one's ever existed. Just listen to it - really listen to what he's saying, how he says it and marvel at why more rap music can't be like this.

Another Wu Tang off-shoot (and trust me, you'll figure that one out real fast from the beat). Still, it's kind of fly...Venom sounds like they're dropping four different MCs up in here, including at least two female MCs. What the dilly? Kinda hot. The flip-side is some more wannabe-RZA production and the pace gets slowed a bit. Not bad, but not as blazing as the A-side joint.

While some felt that this could have been stronger, I' m feeling it. The Walkin Large/Black Thought combo works well over the original jazzy track...it's light but very likable. The Roots remix comes a bit more minimalistic (as you might expect) and I actually preferred the original over it, though both should bring smiles to folks' faces. These 12"s are bound to go fast so don't sleep. Now...is it worth the import price? In my opinion...Yes.

Kinda nice. I know I wasn't the biggest fan of the album, but cut down to individual songs, there's some cool sh*t on here and this particular remix cut does quite nicely. It's not a DJs feast (you want the B-side needle fiends), but as your NY underground joint, it's smooth as butter and nearly as fat. It wouldn't burn the house down, but it'll keep your ears warm while you trek crosstown.

Adagio!: From New York to Philly the EP (Emo)

Fairly disappointing and mediocore hip hop. Adagio! hasn't had a string of hits anyways, but at least his previous 12"s had its moments of likeable production and decent rhymes. This EP just felt less substantial.

For those who remember, Jemini had a brief career on Mercury, mostly having had enough time to drop a single or two ("Funk Soul Sensation" and "Brooklyn Kids") but then vanishing before his EP, "Scarz and Pain" had a chance to make a mark. Unfortunately, after a two year hiatus, "Who Wanna Step II This" wasn't the comeback vehicle that Jemini needed to restore faith to the masses. It's not a bad song, but against the spate of other releases, it really fails to distinguish itself.

Is it me or does O.C. rarely come off ill on his cameos? Or is it that the weak beats and rhymes undermine this single so much that the Brooklyn Dodger can't resurrect it? Either way, both mixes of "Droppin Gramma" float by without catching your attention. It's not bad by New York indie standards, but this isn't even john blaze enough to light a candle.

Same track, more MCs.

Rufus' rhyme flow is a bit hard to get into...kind of like Method Man and Barry White mixed together. I wasn't feeling "Out of Sight", but "Artifacts of Life" has an ill little beat for it that I was feeling. The Lox give a generic cameo...not too bad, not too good, but worth a quick listen. Maybe.

Message to the Silent 1Z: If you're going to put your name on a 12" (versus a straight up white label), please include some important sh*t like: 1) song titles and 2) contact info. It becomes all the more important when the songs you actually put out are of decent quality. Only one of the four songs on here really got my attention...it'd work in the mix for a sec, but overall, the MCs had nothing new to say in their content or delivery. Basically, if you overlook this one b/c you can't read the label - don't worry 'bout it.

The B-side is the only one I really liked...a little more ruff and rugged than the A-side which is your standard Wu Tang wanna-be riff.

80s nostalgia points for the "Knight Rider" theme but Magoo ruins more 12"s than a f---ed up stylus.

Another apple off the Wu Tang tree (though I mean this more stylistically than literally), Tomorrowz Weaponz has an average single. "Lost Planet" was kinda tight, as was "City of G.O.D.S.", but importantly, there are no surprises.

KRS, Prodigy, Kam and Meth combine over a Muggs track for this decent intro to the "Bulworth" soundtrack. Not every MC comes the hell off, particularly Prodigy and Kam's appearance surprised me but KRS has a very interesting - if not problematic - segment where he lambasts the music press for not having enough black editors and writers. While I don't necessarily disagree with him, it's an odd tirade for the song itself, especially when none of the other MCs is really on that level. Bottom line, take a quick listen, but keep the money in your pocket just in case.

The remix is kinda of weak...the biggest disappointment I've heard from Wyclef so far...and he's had a string of fairly good songs. His pairing with Caniubs on "No Airplay" is musically interesting, but this song yearns for some ass-kicking beats, not its Spanish matador's theme.

Creative: Natural/One On One (Broken)
Didn't like him the last time...still not really feeling this this time.