| Reviews Reviews are based on a point system. 1=speed bump material, 10=masterpiece |
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| De La Soul- AOI/Bionix: This is the second installment of the AOI 3 disc series and I must say that it is the best one so far. This album has such a diverse sound from track to track that it really fuses that classic De La sound with many of the unique styles of today. Tracks like the banging 1st single, "Baby Phat" feat Devin Tha Dude, "Peer Pressure" feat B-Real of Cypress Hill (a snippet of the track is up in the audio section.) and "Held Down" showcase the group's increased pace with the lyrics, delivery and beats on the album. Speaking of beats, the hardcore fans of their music will be surprised with the different styles that are brought to the table. Everything from the mariachi beats to that classic Slum Village beats that Jay Dee brings are here and they keep the listener pleased. A solid album from a legendary group that seems to be getting better over the years. 8.5 OUT OF 10 |
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| MC Hammer- Active Duty: MC Hammer has been through many peaks and valleys. From his multi-platinum smash "Too Legit 2 Quit" to his filing for bankruptcy to signing with Death Row Records for a while, Hammer has seen alot. "Active Duty" is not the best album that of all time, but it is a very solid album from a man that has been away so long. It is kind of like watching MJ in basketball. Tracks like "A Solider's Letter", "What Happened To Our Hood", and "Cali" are very good tracks and they show Hammer's newfound diversity on the album. The September 11th tragedy has got alot of people fired up and Hammer is defintely one of the aritsts that is expressing his anger through his music. Hammer also has an impressive group of new artists on his label that shine brightly on the album. All in all, this album may not sell 11 million copies like his other albums, but you can't deny that Hammer put some serious work into this album and it shows. You cannot help but to respect that. 7 OUT OF 10 |
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| Timbaland & Magoo- Indecent Proposal: Praised by knob twiddlers around the globe for his schizophrenic, digitalized, genre-bending soundscapes that were first heard on Ginuwine's "Pony" in 1996, Timbaland could be expected to employ the same hit-making formula, right? Well, yes and no. On Timbaland's third release with rhyme collaborator Magoo, his drum programming and beat structures continue their funkified, futuristic trajectories on "Humin," an ode to club hoppers who forget to use their Listerine, and "People Like Myself," with its off-kilter Middle Eastern samples. However, the jury's been out on the nasal-toned, Q-Tip-sound-alike Magoo since 1998's Tim's Bio, and Tim's commitment to introduce a retooled Magoo to the rap public's jaded consciousness is part of the problem with this release. Magoo's shortcomings notwithstanding, Indecent Proposal is a must purchase for many reasons. It provides contemporary beatmakers with some more lessons in futuristic beat construction (peep "Indian Carpet"); there's a hot collaboration featuring singer-songwriter Beck in a duet with the late Aaliyah ("I'm Music"), and more lovely ballads by Aaliyah ("Love Me"). Lastly, Tim claims that he will not be releasing any more albums after this one so here's your chance to cop the last full-length recording from one of the most eclectic producers in the contemporary rap and R&B game. 7.25 OUT OF 10 |