This review marks a significant day in the B Side for a couple reasons. 1) I haven't reviewed old school rap in forever. For all those hip hop fans, I apologize. But this ones for you. 2) This marks the first (in hopefully many) suggestions from follower Digger. Props to Digger, as I didn't know he was even a casual reader. The B Side thanks you! Anyways, on to Souls of Mischief. They are comprised of emcee's A-Plus, Opio, Phesto, and Tajai. They are part of the bigger hip hop group known as Hieroglyphics. This album came out - big shocker here, in 1993. It was very well received by media and critics. As a guy who doesn't identify a ton with old school stuff, I was fairly leery of this album. I mean, I love rap. You all know that. But the old school NWA, Run DMC stuff - it just doesn't ring through to me like Pac and after. I've run through this a couple times now, and it's well, really well done. Beat wise, it's what makes hip hop great. Every beat is a little different but very deep bass usually with a funky horn compliment. It just fits together well. The flow over the top is all pretty solid as well. I won't say lyrically it's the best album ever - but it's not the focal point of the album. These fellas are from Oakland, and that west coast sound really vibes through. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this. It's really good. Even if you're not a rap fan, this is fun to listen to. Rap fans, you'll love it. I promise.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Let 'Em Know
2. Live and Let Die
3. That's When Ya Lost
4. A Name I Call Myself
5. Disseshowedo
6. What a Way To Get Out
7. Never No More
8. 93 'Til Infinity
9. Limitations
10. Anything Can Happen
11. Make Your Mind Up
12. Batting Practice
13. Tell Me Who Profits
14. Outro
Listen To Samples
Top 3 Tracks:
1. Let 'Em Know
2. That's When Ya Lost
3. 93 Til Infinity
FINAL RATING:
4 out of 5 stars
I agree with you all the way here. 4 out of 5 stars is fitting.
ReplyDeleteGotta say this too. I don't know if your big on skateboarding and all that but I am. So anyway, I was watching Havoc TV on demand, a skate video as I usually do. There was one titled "93' Til Infinity". It was basically showing some archival footage of the 1993 days of Skateboarding onward, making the statement that skate will be here for a while. I'm not sure if any tracks from this album where used as accompaniment music, but i understand why they chose this name.
It's pretty cool if you ever want to check it out.
I'm not a "skater" kind of guy - but I'll watch just about anything on YouTube. So yeah, I'll check it out! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post!