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The Perceptionists – Black Dialogue (2005)

July 20, 2010
*Definitive Jux Records, Akrobatik, Camu Tao, Guru, Mr. Lif, Phonte, Shock G, ^Cyrus the Great, ^El-P, ^Fakts One, ^Willie Evans Jr.
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The Perceptionist are comprised of Mr. Lif, Akrobatik and DJ Fakts One on the beats.  This has that eastcoast raw but with intelligent lyrics making it a nice lil hip hop package.  I really like the distinct difference between Akro & Lif’s voices.  You can always tell who is speaking and they both bring a different style of rapping to the table.  Mr. Lif is a little more smooth and flowing while Akrobatik hits you hard with his strong voice and forceful flow.  This album has some quality social commentary and they take some time out to joke around about all the fakes, phonies and posers walking around these days.  This album is just fun to listen to on all different levels and overall is pretty empowering.

Production:  Camu Tao, Cyrus The Great, El-P, Fakts One, Willie Evans Jr.

Features:  Camu Tao, Guru, Phonte, Shock G

Label:  Definitive Jux

Full Preview:  Black Dialogue

Website:  http://www.myspace.com/theperceptionists

 The Perceptionists – ‘Black Dialogue’

Little Brother – The Minstrel Show (2005)

June 7, 2010
*Atlantic Records, Chaundon, Chris Hardwick, Darien Brockington, Elzhi, Joe Scudda, Little Brother, Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, Yahzarah, ^9th Wonder, ^DJ Jazzy Jeff, ^Khrysis, ^Nicolay, ^Piano Reeves
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No matter how you feel about LB’s most recent offerings you would be crazy to deny the talent of their early work.  ‘The Listening’ and ‘The Minstrel Show’ are both gems in their own right.  Back in the day I was volunteering for the underground radio station at my college and we had to go hand out flyers but our reward at the end was getting to go to the bomb ass record store to pick up some goods at the end of the day.  I remembered seeing some comment about this new album out called ‘The Minstrel Show’ and at this point not only had I never heard of LB but I also had no idea what a Minstrel Show was.  For some reason I felt a need to cop this album and oh what a good choice that was.  Love at first listen for sure.  Didn’t leave my stereo for a good 4 months after I got it which lead me to explore their other work such as ‘The Listening’.  Little Brother was my favorite group for a minute!  To the point where I almost played them out and had to take a break lol.  And even though I’m not the biggest fan of the direction they decided to take later on, their early work will always hold a soft spot in my hip hop heart.

Production:  9th Wonder, Khrysis, Nicolay, Piano Reeves

Features:  Chaundon, Chris Hardwick, Darien Brockington, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Elzhi, Joe Scudda, YahZarah

Label:  Atlantic Records

Full Preview: The Minstrel Show

Website:  http://www.myspace.com/littlebrother

Little Brother – ‘ Hiding Place (ft. Elzhi)’

Evidence – The Weatherman LP (2007)

May 10, 2010
*ABB Records, Chase Infinite, Defari, Evidence, Joe Scudda, Kobe, Madchild, Noelle Scaggs, Phonte, Planet Asia, Rakaa Iriscience, Rapper Big Pooh, Res, Sick Jacken, Slug, ^DJ Babu, ^DJ Khalil, ^Jake One, ^Sid Roams, ^The Alchemist
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Evidence is like the real mans rapper.  He is always talking about shit that is so easy to relate to.  Realistic in nature, optimistic between the lines.  Some people think this album is a lil boring because the beats are somewhat similar but I think that adds a cohesiveness to the album and I appreciate the topics put forth on this release.

Production: Evidence, DJ Babu, DJ Khalil, Jake One, Sid Roams, The Alchemist

Features: The Alchemist, Chase Infinite, Defari, Joe Scudda, Kobe, Madchild, Noelle Scaggs, Phonte, Planet Asia, Rakaa Iriscience, Rapper Big Pooh, Res, Sick Jacken, Slug

Label: ABB 

Full Preview: The Weatherman LP

Evidence – ‘Chase the Clouds Away’

 

The Foreign Exchange – Connected (2004)

May 6, 2010
*BBE Records, Critically Acclaimed, Frank Ford, Joe Scudda, Kenn Starr, Median, Oddisee, Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, Sean Boog, The Foreign Exchange, Von Pea, Yahzarah, ^9th Wonder, ^Nicolay
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I swear the beats on this album just kinda let you float through the world.  So light, smooth & tight.  Nicolay knows how to put you in a good place.  And to be honest I love Little Brother but I always preferred Phonte to Big Pooh so an entire album w/just Phonte rapping is all sorts of good.

Production: 9th Wonder, Nicolay

Features: Critically Acclaimed, Darian Brockington, Frank Ford, Joe Scudda, Kenn Starr, Median, Oddisee, Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, Sean Boog, Von Pea, Yahzarah

Label: BBE

Full Preview: Connected

The Foreign Exchange – ‘All That You Are (ft. Median)’

 

BK-One with Benzilla – Radio do Canibal (2009)

October 31, 2009
*Rhymesayers Entertainment, Abstract Rude, Aby Wolf, Aceyalone, Black Thought, Blueprint, Brother Ali, I Self Devine, Murs, P.O.S., Phonte, Raekwon, Scarface, Slug, The Grouch, The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Toki Wright, ^Benzilla, ^BK-One
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This album earns props just due to the amazing line-up alone (Slug, Brother Ali, P.O.S., Scarface, Raekwon, Murs etc.)  Bk-One is mostly known for being DJ to Brother Ali but for this album he is using his production skills along side fellow Minneap producer Benzilla.  Bk’s Brazilian inspired beats are funky, creative and fresh leaving a great pallet for hip hop creativity.  The effort put forth by the emcees is inspiring.  These songs don’t have a bunch of throw-away verses, they cover many topics both serious and fun, happy and sad, inspiring and sobering but never lacking depth.  If you are a fan of the Rhymesayers, Brazil, or just hip hop in general there is something for you on this album.

Production:  Bk-One, Benzilla, Brother Ali

Features:  Abstract Rude, Aby Wolf, Aceyalone, Black Thought, Blueprint, Brother Ali, I Self Devine, Murs, Phonte, P.O.S., Raekwon, Slug, Scarface, The Grouch, The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Toki Wright

Full Preview: Radio do Canibal

Website:  http://www.myspace.com/balmoral

Bk-One – ‘Here I Am (ft. Phonte, Brother Ali & The Grouch)

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