| CD REVIEW (This review has also been published at www.701.com) |
| HOW HIGH - THE SOUNDTRACK - METHOD MAN & REDMAN |
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| This well-known Platinum-earning duo from the early '90s (Meth's Tical, Red's Docs Da Name and the wildly successful Blackout) are poised to be catapulted to superstardom with this infectious selection of past and current hip-hop and rap/rock tracks from the newly released film, "How High" (in which they have starring roles). The movie, about a couple of average guys who smoke an intellect-enhancing substance and wind up enrolled at Harvard University, ultimately deals with learning how to survive on instinct while discovering formerly suppressed capabilities. Joined on the CD by various established musical icons such as Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige ("All I Need", from Razor Sharp Remix), Cypress Hill, and Limp Bizkit, it also features vocal cameos from Jonelle ("Round and Round Remix") and Shawna ("What's Your Fantasy"), from Ludacris. A familiar sample is the '70s hit "Cisco Kid" by War (also known for their hit, "Spill the Wine", with Eric Burdon on vocals). Also contributing on the CD are Saukrates and Streetlife. Utilizing high-tech synthesization and instrumentation that provides a unique backdrop to the ever-present hypnotic beatbox and verbal diarrhea, the CD's real strength lies in the orchestration of the diverse rhythmic patterns (tribal, r & b, rap, rock, jazz, middle eastern, even a bit of classical) and cleverly-composed vocal volleys within and from each track to the next. Although the lyrics are predictably soaked with profanity, sexual innuendos (explicit and implied) and drug use, garnering a parental advisory, if there's anyone in the world today who is not familiar with any of the terms in question and/or is offended by them, they probably wouldn't be regular listeners of this music genre in the first place. In this case, the advisory probably only serves to attract the audience that would normally be drawn to it anyway - it's a rebel thing. Overall, it's actually quite entertaining, after repeated listens, to a hip-hop novice like myself! |
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