20/20 Perfect Vision

On a trip to Best Buy yesterday a Dilated Peoples album I never knew was released caught my eye. When I plopped it into the CD deck of my car for the ride home, it made me wonder why I hadn’t listened to these guys lately…I forgot how dope they were and how they always modify but manufacture consistently high quality music.

Dilated Peoples have done it yet again with the newest album, 20/20, but not only that, they maintain a constant updating of their formula while staying true to what brought them into the game.

The groups members, DJ Babu from the DJ crew Beat Junkies, Evidence, and Rakaa joined together in 1992 and slowly started developing a solid fan base in the underground hip hop community

20/20 starts off with 'Back Again' a great song to start off considering the ridiculously head thumping beat produced by The Alchemist. Then it kicks in to one of the best songs on the album 'You Can't Hide, You Can't Run' which I think really brought the best out of Rakaa lyrically. You've got many other stand outs like 'Kindness For Weakness' featuring Talib Kweli, 'The Eyes Have It', and the Reggae influenced 'Firepower!’

Every track on this CD was expertly and precisely produced. The melodies and rhymes intertwine subtly and sometimes the DJ spins out a bass thump or vocal so high, it’s hard to tell if it’s the artists rapping or the music speaking.

Overall Rating:
4 out 5 Neighborhood Watches

Im Speaking to YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU!

A recent purchase of The Very Best of Eek a Mouse completed my Eek a Mouse CD collection and after a thorough listen, Eek a Mouse remains the undisputed reggae king of singjaying.

A well-chosen compilation of Eek a Mouse's most popular '80s hits, The Very Best of Eek a Mouse is a solid set of early dancehall favorites, all of them built on the performer's pioneering "singjay" style, not quite toasting, but not just singing, either.

His utterly unique vocal talents, mainly being an inimitable high-pitched voice which found him elongating words with mock-Asian dialect and peculiar chants like "biddy beng beng" like some kind of Jamaican Slim Galliard.

Hits here include the spooky "Terrorists in the City," the sly humor and social commentary of "Anaerexol" and "Star, Daily News or Gleaner," and of course his 1982 breakthrough hit, "Wa-Do-Dem."

All are essential, and there's little fat among the remaining tracks as well. This and the follow-up second volume are essential for fans and newcomers alike.

Overall Rating:
4 out 5 Police in Helicopters

Zion Stays True While Livin

I’ve written on a group called Zion I before…and a few days ago I purchased their fourth album; True and Livin.

It was a good choice.

True & Livin is definitely a gem, an album with a variety of well produced and performed content that fits together. It begins with an infectious track, hypnotizing the listener and slowly moves on to discuss Hip Hop in various forms, discussing their area ("The Bay") and talking about love, relationships and day to day life situations ("Temperature"). All subject matters are examined carefully and articulated in a catchy manner, but the point remains defined.

One of the album's strongest tracks comes as a surprise "Poems 4 Post Modern Decay" has Aesop Rock providing guest verses. The chemistry between Rock and Zion is phenomenal and the beat seems designed for Aesop in its dark feel. Another exceptional track is "Next To U," a love song with such a sensual feel that you can't help but want to throw it on a mix tape for your girlfriend.

With a wealth of respect from their peers, it's no surprise to see some of California's most noteworthy artists appear alongside them upon "True & Livin." Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) aids Zion upon "Stranger In My Home," a track that talks about Hip Hop as if it were a household whereby it's no longer recognizable after intruders have taken over. Both emcees control their metaphoric references so smoothly that sometimes it's hard to notice whether their referring to the genre or an actual intruder in their house. Including Del on "What U Hear" was far from a bad move, as the recently quiet emcee dominates Amps beat.

There is some touch and go moments with True & Livin, but not many. "Oh Lawd" features a subtle guitar lick, and a preachy feeling hook. The verses work amazingly, but the hook portion feels over the top. "Soo Tall" is another track which doesn't sit as well, the fast paced country feel doesn't suit Zion as well as the other more grounded beats.

All in all, True & Livin is the perfect next step in Zion I's direction of providing a catalogue to be revered.

Overall Rating:
5 out 5 Poems for Post Modern Decay

This Aint No 007 Agent

Rasco and Planet Asia, two West Coast MCs who had enjoyed mildly successful and well-respected solo careers, joined forces in 2000 to produce a group much stronger than the sum of its parts.

They call themselves the Cali Agents.

Their individual releases, although technically sound, had been a bit monotonous at times. But as a tag team duo, they complement each other perfectly.

Rasco plays the part of the grumpy, serious old veteran, scolding those he doesn't approve of, while Planet Asia personifies the younger, wilder side, playing off his partner to include some fun in the mix. Together with a diverse lineup of producers, they create an incredibly simple yet effective sound, combining hard drumbeats with a violin, piano, or guitar sample in a formula heavily influenced by Gang Starr's DJ Premier.

Lyrically, the duo tiptoes between pleasing an underground audience highly suspicious of the mainstream and attempting to make a living and enjoy success. Planet Asia sums up the group's approach on "This Is My Life," rhyming, "Not only do we rock fresh gear, but when it comes to hip-hop we're like a breath of fresh air, like yeah!/And just to let y'all side busters know, we rep the underground but still we're out to make dough."

Cali Agents craft a surprising debut that strikes a balance between different hip-hop crowds, East and West Coast, underground and above, but manage to maintain their artistic integrity.

Overall Rating:
4 out 5 Professors

Classically Influenced

Hip-hop artists create deep bass samples combined with traditional orchestral sounds all the time. These guys do that too, but instead of generating the compositions on a synthesizer, they play it on their violins themselves.

Black Violin is a fresh breath of classical air.

The trio of Kev Marcus, Wil B aka Simply Sick, and DJ TK create melodic sounds of jazz infused rap with a hint of R&B. The unique style is actually an entirely new genre of hip-hop altogether and their delivery is exceptional. These three gentlemen have created the ultimate synergy between classical and Hip-Hop music.

So go check them out already, it’s free!

As part of the ASAP concert series, The Black Violin will perform in the Lory Student Center Theater (on the main level) on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Don’t forget it’s a FREE show.

The groups rise popularity rose on May 21, 2005, when the two classically trained musicians took home the title 2005 Apollo Legends which catapulted them instantly to international fame.

Kev Marcus, and Wil b, both graduates of Dillard Performing Arts High School, used their musical talents to earn full scholarships to college. Now Black Violin wants to make sure that America's young people get the same exposure to the arts, and therefore the same opportunity that they did. Go check these guys out!

Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Bariolages

Rapping Scripture

Lightheaded is a Portland based, northwest connection with worldwide roots. The foundation consists of three unique MC’s united by phat beats, well versed lyrics, and a strong relationship God. Braille, Ohmega Watts and Othello became friends before they became a group.

That's what Lightheaded is all about.

Three friends rocking together in serious form over a production based in love. The group’s energy, passion and charisma follow them to every city, stage and studio they visit. Their live shows have amped up crowds in all types of atmospheres.

The meaning of the name Lightheaded (headed for light) is a concept based on attitude to remain optimistic in the midst of chaos, and furthermore their relationship with their religion.

People often wonder why Lightheaded's music seems so happy. They ask "Are you guys aware of what's going on in this world?” Lightheaded answer was simple, “But we have chosen to meditate on the things which are praiseworthy. During the good times and the bad, we are happy to be alive. God has given us such an incredible opportunity.... just to exist.”

Overall Rating:
2 out 5 WWJD's