Record Reviews from Crouton Magazine Issue #1
ARTIST: EMANON
TITLE: 'IMAGINARY FRIENDS'
LABEL: INDEPENDENT
FORMAT: cassette only
CONTACT INFO: 1 (800) 358 3244
Mailbox code: #523.3295
*As to aid in clarity, this is a note to tell the reader that this tape
is broken up into two sections. The A-side is a mix compiled by Exile of
various tracks and sample composition, the flip being the beats and lyrics
side consisting of Emanon's own compositions, hence the split titles to
make up the review…peep it….
THE MIX: Starts off with some of the illest injection of sample interaction
heard on a mix tape in aeons. Ah, all that scratching…it truly does aid to
an easeful journey towards the underground burroughs…verse-wise the griots
assembled have been channelled via clans of truth-seekers and tale-weavers
(Solesides, Project Blowdians etc.) and the way the songs have been fused,
lyrics collectively converse admidst themselves, spawning this tape to be
ripe with theme, not to mention the (platters of) food for thought offered
be it in the literal sense or disguised as 'craft'. Be told - Exile is none
other than element 'subtlety'. A succulent slice of collage brimming with
vision and focus.
BEATS/LYRICS: Praise, the flip side be just as nutritious. Straight up,
what makes this crew so dope, well, there's many a good reason but if I
must choose only one it is how there souls seemingly flow so effortlessly
through their expression. Be it the honey flow of guest emcee Takber
(emcee w/ 'Styles Of Beyond'), the honey with an almond bite of Aloe who's
lyrical chomps are becoming tighter with each release as 'Outside Looking
In' (featured on the debut 12'' 'PSI'), his finest offering to date shows
…and Exile. Haha…it's Exile who brings out the fangirl in me 'cause his
ill style and broken down every day 'I-Can-Relate' type stories and musings
just ignite something in this old soul of mine. Collectively - resonance,
feel and lyrics that are tight, ranging from the MC's past perils with females
('Deadly Venom', 'Cheating'), observations on the emphasis the mass place
on money and the evil that runs deeper due to it ('Me Vs. Money') to the
annoying hella wack 'anonymous' B-Boy we all, admittedly, do know ('The
Circle') which be hella funny. Beats flow smooth courtesy of the DSC
family and if you don't own this tape - smash the piggy, and bump this on
your quest to find a new moolah-pooling oinker….
ARTIST: TREY
TITLE: 'PROJECTILE'
LABEL: INDEPENDENT
FORMAT: cassette, Limited Edition CD
CONTACT INFO: +61 2 9283 4598
92a Liverpool St
SYDNEY NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
Great intro…noted that approach to lyricism is expanding with clean,
phat lines, with many a tight verse touching on issues from the social
(proposed Youth Curfew plan), to the political (THAT Pauline), to the
infatuation with capital too many hold dear to themselves, quote; 'multi-
nationals clocking in/with all these US MC's saying Moschino's the shit…
do you get credit every time you mention a labels name/Bullshit! It's
free advertising, kid….". You can always rely on Trey for the phat rhyme
on the Hip Hop tip, and it's when she be doing tracks solely from the
viewpoint of a head I'm feeling her hit hard - probably 'cause her mad
phunk and obvious love for the culture is oozing at it's best, drawing
one into a deep nodding experience as 'Writers Bench Int.' and 'Fusin'
Freestyles' will testify. For the curious, peep Side 3's beatbox-driven
freestyle session featuring emcees Tekneek, Baba, Torcha and MC Goh from
Japan.
ARTIST: YESHUA da POED
TITLE: 'DIRECTIONS' b/w 'THE HEAD BOP'
LABEL: RAW SHACK PRODUCTIONS
FORMAT: 12'' vinyl single
CONTACT INFO: 1 (718) 230 1233
Am I buggin', or did anyone else note that on the Siah and Yeshua da POED
track 'No Soles Dopest Opus' the final line of Yeshua's verse actually
stood for an acronym? Upon discovering this my already deep respect for this
emcee deepened so it was with open arms I embraced his first solo joint.
Coming in the form of a two-track 12" I am happy to report the thumbs up.
A-Side track 'Directions' three part verses all focus on three different
areas of Yeshua's life and how they are affecting him deeply at present
with each repeat of the chorus being slightly altered to compliment and
round up the meaning of each flow. The final verse touches on his
observations of Hip Hop and his place within it's perceived present state
where he flips '…but it's a challenge to keep the balance/when your
talents are detected/by how much violence is projected in your method of
speaking/that tends to weaken my credentials/even if I'm freaking
instrumentals…'. Not only does this kid rhyme tight, he also produced both
tracks, with Mudfoot assisting on 'Directions' and DJ Bless blessing the
cuts. B-Side 'The Head Bop' makes you want to do exactly that - a singular
note, double hit vibe sample is lush and when allowed to roam beyond this
register during the rest of the track allows for a subtle dynamic to take
place. Ah yes '…its such a beautiful thing, who ever knew would bring me
to such heights'…indeed.
ARTIST: MOVING OBJECTS
TITLE: 'PRELUDE: THE STONE LION'
LABEL: EMMO WORKS
FORMAT: cassette only
CONTACT INFO: 1 (714) 971 8722 or email mziobrowski@hotmail.com
Like the seven wonders, these seven tracks from Santa Ana (CA) based crew
Moving Objects exude such a magical aura they bring tears to the windows
of my soul. It's raw, it probably was recorded on a four-track and I'll
tell you something - it has more integrity in one bar of rhyming than half
these Gucci-wearing sucka with platinum plaques could and will have in nine
lifetimes worth of recordings. Really conscious lyricism touching on many
angles of personal experience and thought, I-One has the illest accent and
both he and Zaire Black offer lyrics to stroke the soul. June 22 has some
beautiful beats that compliment the mood of each rhyme, one highlight
springing to mind being the bass in the tapes final cut 'Soon It Will All
Collapse' which, I must say, brings on those twitches only a Hip Hop head
could possibly know of. Elitest of me, yes, but anyway…'visions enable us
to reach our destinations…'Side B track 'I Wanna Know' features those Divine
Soul Childs Aloe B., Exile and Accapella from DreamSequence.
ARTIST: THE FUGLEMEN
TITLE: 'RESCUSCITATION'
LABEL: INDEPENDENT
FORMAT: full-length CD, 4-track vinyl
CONTACT INFO: quroe@hotmail.com
Upon listening to Adelaide band the Fuglemen's full-length debut, one
fact is startlingly clear - they are totally lacking in the element of
pretension. Hopefully this won't intimidate too many heads into ignoring
this album for there truly is some magical threads weaved through this
offering which really shouldn't be slept on. This group is a live outfit
and the subtle injection from all instruments involved (SP1200s incl.)
create a musical ambience rich in texture. Quoro, you are one of my
favourite lyricists period; your words could create a library of quotables;
'grant me breath as my measurements between my life and death/when I
rest that will be my peace from greed and avarice/average heads tend to
end bumping each repetitive…we need a little less testosterone and more
ventolin' (taken from 'Resuscitate'). I recommend this one for the ones
who have no tolerance for lyrical banality.
ARTIST: JEDI MIND TRICKS
TITLE: 'THE PSYCHO-SOCIAL, CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND ELECTRO-MAGNETIC
MANIPULATION OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS' LP
LABEL: SUPEREGULAR
FORMAT: full-length vinyl LP & CD
CONTACT INFO: 1 (610) 853 1149 or email superegular@hiphopsite.com
The metaphor that be MC 'Ikon the Verbal Holygrams' name basically sums
up the entity of what this crew are wishing you to question. Many a good
quote from the above emcee on people/persons and their choice of belief.
References to particular esoteric texts also is attempting to confirm the
need to question what we as individuals and a society have built ourselves
upon and what we allow ourselves to be dictated by. The New World Order
is coming in effect because we are allowing ourselves to stay passive and
in our false comforts, and it will be by observing the extremities of past
and present openly when we will begin to start understanding the essense
of balance to maintain. But back to the review. The production is incredible
and never fails in continually blooming plasma's of colour and atmosphere
('Chinese Water Torture' is beat Nirvana eternal…), but I can't front, I
would like to hear more scratching on the cuts….you know…to compliment the
stroking of the chin. Many more lyrical pathways are travelled than I have
mentioned but that is the road all of you must choose to travel upon. I'm
out with a quote; 'the ability to endure contradiction is a high sign of
culture'. Happy delving…
ARTIST: PROWLA
TITLE: 'MONEY WALKS'
LABEL: NUFF' SAID
FORMAT: vinyl EP (w/ instr.), 8-track cassette EP
CONTACT INFO: 270 Swan St
RICHMOND VIC 3121
AUSTRALIA
And the jewels continue to shine best in the under - to - the - ground…
oh…hello…this EP is fucking awesome. One of my favourite releases this
year, hands down. Prowla, the renowned maestro of the four-track bedroom
recording is venturing towards the arena of vinyl pressings and I am
personally stoked. It's quite extraordinary really…I'm usually not into
any style that gears exclusively to braggadocio stylee, but this kid
transcends this - he has imagery in truckloads, a strong wit, and a
definite grasp on consciousness - like, he'll make references through
stating environmental issues and the collective consciousness Hip Hop
culture provides. A rare gift, great to see it being utilised and
immortalised and actually coming from Melbourne Australia makes it even
more exciting. Prowla, along with his pal Jase, not only produced the
majority of the tracks here; he also supplied the cuts and is also a writer.
And the inclusion of a Brim sample where Brim breaks down to an irate woman
questioning his expression is just the final notch needed for me to give
this my stamp of approval; '…just 'cause you don't understand something
you put it down right away?…that's the whole thing about this whole movement,
is to try to understand other peoples lives and other people…'. This
sentence means too much for me for words to express. Please support Prowla
so he will continue to offer the organic goods. I am looking forward to
an instrumental EP coming soon from this kid on Parallax View Recordings.
Big up.
ARTIST: FATHOM
TITLE: 'THE BEATS FOR 20,000 FATHOMS'
LABEL: INDEPENDENT
FORMAT: cassette only
CONTACT INFO: http://www.kcs.com.au/~boomdocks
Hmmmm…sounds envelope/contract sensation previously unknown…'mullet and
a pellet, crusty, never festy, lala…#@^ This flashing lights, and this
virus is melting so nicely in my mouth as the Fifths Sons magic casted
over 'Wastelands' is nirvana…what, a rash? Carcass of an, ergh!!? I am
one with all - an infection, yes…more, more, MORE!!!? WARNING: This
tape is so ill is breeds symptoms (Flashback: delirium merging with the
bends = fusion, which is the yin to the yang of…lala).
ARTIST: UNSPOKEN HEARD
TITLE: 'COSMOLOGY'
LABEL: SEVEN HEADS ENTERTAINMENT
FORMAT: vinyl EP (w/ inst.)
CONTACT INFO: 1 (718) 622 2526 or email sevenheadz@aol.com
This 4-track EP from N.Y. duo Unspoken Heard is a must-have for fanatics
of phonetic lyrical flows that drip with conscious necta. For me personally
(I have to do this!!!!) it was very interesting to to hear on a Hip-Hop
record someone (emcee BlueBlack) make reference to an astrological aspect
and make sense with it. I also noted this on these kid's rhymes on
Bobbitos shows last November, and the choice of aspect is quite powerful.
The use of the Trine instead of let's say, a conjunction, also another
powerful aspect, intrigues me…quick breakdown;
1. A Trine is a 120 degrees aspect in Astrology that denotes a natural
talent and future success in one's natal chart.
2. The third sign of the Zodiac is Gemini which is ruled by the planet
Mercury. Mercury rules the conscious mind and links the reason between
conscious and subconscious thought. It also rules writing and communication
amongst other things.
I am aware that using this reference is to imply conscious dillienations
between human and the Universe, but I am also aware that if this kid ever
chooses to flip a braggadocio stylee he could so with much subtlety and
wit and headz would be totally unaware. I love shit like this, it will
never bore me due to the many lyrical rinds to slide down. Astrology only
makes up about five seconds worth of lyricism on this EP, the rest focuses
on other issues relating to our daily existence. Fellow emcee Asheru is
like water - natural speeds both fast and slow but beyond both, subtle
rips to suck in,but released in ripples of beautiful flow. Lyrics on 'It's
About Time' are healing. Again, don't be thinking this shit is solely top
heavy, it's got ill bounce to it due to newcomer, the Bedroom Wizard, no
doubt a producer to watch for in future years, I'm feeling him hard. Dj
Spinna also contributes the beat for the track 'Setting Sun'. Totally
recommended. I should call 'em up and rhyme to 'em on a numerological
tip…
ARTIST: METABASS 'N' BREATH
TITLE: 'RECENT JOURNEYS'
LABEL: INDEPENDENT
FORMAT: cassette only
CONTACT: +61 2 9310 4398 or email metabeings@hotmail.com
It saddens my soul to observe the many which dig in the futile sands yet
never risk dowsing the fertile lands for underground streams which flow
in planet Hip Hop. Ah Metamen, I will rest but never sleep on your potency.
As usual the lyricism is unparalleled and your most recent collections
gathered on your nomadic/astral travels is your finest yet. Being the
sucker I am for the organic stylee, the inclusion from full-scale gigs
to street/radio cyphers from here in Australia to New York to San Francisco
(where emcees Morganix and Elf Transporter, along with DJ Duck performed
at 97's 'Tribute To The Elements') is mad hype, and proves in my eyes that
if you work at your skill, freestyling is definitely an enhancer to one's
rhyme progression. Highlights…?…many too many… but for the doubters -
check 'How Deep Does It Go?' to know how feel it truly is… Crouton also
recommends…anything featuring either Eligh (Living Legends) or Talib Kweli
(Reflection Eternal). Hopefully both if you can afford it. These souls
be channelors of the sixth sense - the ones knowing the sense of the
seemingly senseless. Inter, outer reflections = infinite spectrums, no
doubt poetry to spin revolutions….peep future issues of 'Crouton' magazine
for more info on these two…
Short and Sweet:
BOOSTED - Well though out and intelligent mix (CD only) by Mostyn Space
Unit and DopEasEtic from Adelaide (Independent)
SIXTOO - 'Crystal Senate' EP' Lyricism A-Grade courtesy of the fertile
crop in Canada known as… (Hands Solo)
EMANON - 'Acid 9' 12"' I love watching seeds grow with strength…revolutions
be spinning…. (Independent)
JURASSIC 5 - 'Jayou'/'Without A Doubt' 12" One new track, the former on
it's way to becoming an underground classic…must I even have to talk about
these magical fellows… (Rumble/Pickinny)
ALL NATURAL - 'No Additives, No Preservatives' LP Amazing lyrics. Comes
also with a phat book of essays and lyrics courtesy of this Chicago emcee/
producer (Independent)
LOOTPACK - 'The Anthem'/'Lost Art'/'Likwit Fusion' 12" Producer Madlib
constructs beats for the Alkaholics to name just one…PHAT beats, mad
phunk, personality-wise… (Stones Throw)
ACEYALONE - 'Book Of Human Languages' LP Concepts and realities a many.
Fuck the 'Source'. How can you be 'too innovative for our own good'?
(Project Blowed)
BLACKSTAR - 'Definition' Stress Magazine Promo '45 Talib Kweli and Mos Def
with DJ Hi-Tech comprise this outfit. Can't wait for more of this shit.
Supposedly clubs are taping this floppy to 12" and bumping them in the
clubs… (Rawkus)
LEVELHEADS - 'Levelheaded Inscriptions' feat. X111th Son (Unreleased)
Ser Rek's beats are deep with the subtlest sample, which intoxicates
the senses. Hopefully this will become an EP with instrumentals.
MOKA ONLY - (Unreleased home recordings) This kid has beautiful tone
and style. 'So Way Out' is on my home mix-tapes. Please Sir, some more…
RIP ONE - 'The Essence' Essential. The Master. The King. Such phunk….
BUY THIS SHIT!!!!? (Independent)
· All reviews printed were originally published in the Australian Hip-Hop
publication, 'Crouton', Winter '98 issue. Anyone interested in contacting
us can reach us at PO BOX 841 CRONULLA NSW 2230 AUSTRALIA, or you can email
us at crouton@tig.com.au
