Showing posts with label album review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label album review. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

ALBUM REVIEW: REASON - AUDIO3D

I picked up my copy of Reason’s Audio3D about four weeks ago and I have to admit that it has been a journey through the phases of discovery, amazement and finally idolization. I attended the launch with a little bit of apprehension based on the fact that I felt I knew too little of homie’s work, however the album has made me feel like I’ve known the homie for years!
The album is executive produced by Tumi Molekane (of Tumi and the Volume) and Bradley Williams (Matchboxology.com), two giants that are shaking things up in the South African music scene with their trailblazing label Motif Records. The involvement of such great minds in the crafting of this album is evidenced through the album’s varied but yet cohesive feel.
One has to acknowledge the level of craftsmanship that went into making this album, as apart from the two greats that I have mentioned above, Reason enlisted quite an ensemble of raw talent to collaborate with on this album. Production ranges from 37 mph (Mpho Pholo), Ntokozo Mazibuko (of I.V. League), Instro (Sthembiso Herimbi) and Battlekat (Tongongara Tlokoa – A hip hop legend from my hood reppin the 016 all the way!). The result is a medley of beats that are beasts just waiting to be ridden by each of the lyrical geniuses that were recruited for this album.

Trying to pin Reason down musically is like trying to put the feeling of love into words, you can try your best and you can get really close but you can never really express the essence of the feeling, it is due to this hurdle that it took me so long to write this review coz I felt no words would convey the amazement that comes standard with this album. I however decided to include tweets to show what the general public is saying out there and im sure you've now noticed them scattered around the article, as you can see the people are crazy about homie's music!
Contentwise homie is too on point, he addresses such a wide range of topics that are all tied together by man's biggest weakness (and strength) WOMEN. His scope is so diverse that you will be able to listen to this album regardless of what mood you are in. I believe this to be one of the strongest points about this album, the versatility through which he expresses himself will definitely wow many. I believe that multitudes will agree with me when i say this is by far the best Hip Hop album to come out of South Africa this year. Last year the debate was on who is better between Zakwe and AKA, and what made the debate rage for so long is the fact that like them or not they are both very talented MCs. However, i think the debate can finally be laid to rest as there's a new album on everone's lips and that is Reason's Audio3D. This is one of the few albums that you can put on repeat and not skip a single track.
I scrutinised this album for a complete four weeks and i must say, i havent found one defect with the album. It is such a breath of fresh air to listen to an artist who has perfected their craft to this point as this is one album i believe can have international appeal without even being over marketed. Homie has songs in there that all of us can relate to, wherever you are and i believe that this year (if the judging is done honestly and fairly this year) homie will be coming home with a bunch of SAMAs.
Whether its bumping the ever-so-popular "Stay" or the latest radio single "Do It Like I Can" i can definitely see the nation jamming to Reason this coming spring and subsequently festive season.
 


The album is now available at all leading retailers of good music, get your copy now and dont be a lame......



Peace!
at
Labels: ,

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Album Review: ZAKI IBRAHIM - EVERY OPPOSITE (Win autographed copy!)


I had to have this review ready by 11am yesterday morning, keywords being ‘had to’ but the layers of beauty within this album were too overwhelming. I kept starting to type the review and always got lost within a sentence, simply hypnotized by the entrancing sounds on Zaki’s latest offering.
It is often said that great music takes you on a journey yet you don’t really find a lot of albums that are true to that motif, thus it’s always a refreshing surprise when one finds a certifiable classic. I went through one of these moments of surprise on Thursday night at the exclusive media launch for Zaki Ibrahim's latest album EVERY OPPOSITE that was held in the heart of Braamfontein.
The multi-talented songstress  whose accolades include working with Erykah Badu, Spoek Mathambo, Nick Holder, DJ Kent, Culoe De Song, Tumi and the Volume, K’naan and Mos Def (just to name a few) is a Canadian born South African citizen who’s well known for her unique and eclectic sound. Her sound is a blend of Hip Hop, soulful Jazz, spoken word and a dash of realism, which transcends into the real world and gently lulls you within its entrancing melodies.
The international quality of the production on this album is made possible by the talents of Tiago Correira Paulo (Tumi and the Volume \ 340ml), Rich Kidd, Wawesh, Sthembiso ‘Instro’ Herimbi, Richard Rumney (aka Richard the Third), Dj Catalist Nick Holder and Zaki herself, the involvement of such heavyweights is evident through songs that evoke images of dancing until dawn in a smoky club deep in the city’s underground. That is not the album’s prize musical trump card though, with that honour going to Zaki’s distinct voice. It is her voice which adds the finer details to the visual landscapes her songs paint so masterfully.
The songs which standout on the album are
Draw the Line: The drum heavy production on the song is definitely my favourite off the whole album. This is one song that would be extremely amazing to see performed with a band playing live instruments. The marriage between Zaki’s voice and the instrumentals on this track is one that will stay in your memory for ever.
Something in the Water: This track was featured on the Otello Burning’s soundtrack mixtape (another project where Zaki and Tumi Molekane *of Tumi and The Volume* worked excellently together). The song has a very chilling atmosphere about it, accentuated by a rippling bass over some minimalistic beats. It is easy to see why this was the album’s lead single, I believe this to be some of Dj Catalist’s (Alister Johnson) best production and combined with  Zaki’s soulful singing guarantee an experience like no other.
Kids are Talking: I got lost within the song for a while as I was hypnotised by each of its layers, I found myself getting so entranced that my interpretation of the song kept changing with every listen. Eventually I settled on the idea that simply put, this song is there to give a voice to the voiceless so that their struggles can be heard. Deep within we are all kids struggling to get their voices heard over the din of everyday life and this song is anthemic to that idea, which is what I believe will make this a popular favourite.
Heart Beat (Nick Holder Mix) (Bonus Track): Pairing up with a legend of the underground dance scene was a great move for Zaki and the fruits of these two artists’ labours is a song that is set to result in some fiery times on the dancefloor with people forgetting the winter chills. This song kind of reminds me of “Something about You”, but I believe the minimal tech feel to it is a very welcome addition. I am waiting curiously to see if other DJs \ Producers are going to be brave enough to make other remixes of this song that can easily be the new song that brings all the races together in dance.

It was difficult to settle on a selection of tracks that stand out from the album simply because the each of the tracks within this album is an example in perfection, to make things even better, if you take the same tracks and put them together into album such as this you have a very powerful example of what artistic expression is. Through this album (her third) I think we have the clearest window into the force of nature that is Zaki.
The album is dropping on Monday (4th June 2012) and will be available from all major music retailers.
Do I suggest you get a copy? No, the mere existance of this album is enough of a suggestion that you need to get yourself a copy! If you are a lover of beautiful music or need a CD that you will have on constant repeat, then your feet are going to be pointed in the direction of your favourite music outlet come Monday the 4th of June.



COMPETITION TIME!!!

The G Spot is set to interview Zaki on Tuesday and we're giving you out there a chance to win an autographed copy of EVERY OPPOSITE. All you have to do is:
·         'Like' the facebook page for The G Spot (find it here http://www.facebook.com/TheKingPimp.TheGSpot ) or alternatively using the like button on the right)
·         Tweet (using the Share to Twitter button below) about this competition to your followers
·         Include a question you would like us to ask Zaki on Tuesday by either writing it on the wall of The G Spot's page on facebook or alternatively writing it below as a comment.
The winner will be announced on Monday by 7pm (C.A.T)
at
Labels: , ,

Friday, December 16, 2011

Crooked I - In None We Trust EP (Review)


The king of punchlines is back and his latest offering though short is packed full of dope. The 8 track (35minutes) EP dropped on the 13th and is available on iTunes. When I first put this on rotation I was quite anxious from the anticipation, primarily due to the fact that I regard crooked as one of the last ill lyricists (check out Hip-Hop Weekly and Hip Hop Weekly Reloaded – before Kanye and almost every other rapper out there swagger jacked the idea) and I must say, I wasn’t disappointed.
Contrary to the current trend, Crooked hasn’t overloaded the EP with features and only brings in his COB compatriots in on four of the 8 tracks. On the tracks that he’s on with his COB comrades he doesn’t overpower them and shares the spotlight with them. The production is quite ear friendly (for the radio heads out there) with a very definite West Coast sound t it and hopefully this offering will generate enough interest in the homie.
The track that stands out for me is “No Competition”, apart from the obvious braggadocio appeal the beat on this track is insane. I can foresee this track getting a lot of airplay from a lot of cats, whether it’s driving down the streets in the hood or just straight enjoying the sound from one’s speakers.
All in all this is a very enjoyable EP and it lays the groundwork quite well for Crooked’s upcoming solo effort, one thing though is I initially thought we might have a surprise guest feature by Joel Ortiz or Yelawolf, but their absence does not make the EP any less enjoyable.
Quotable
“…..Make a movie bout my life, bring my face to the fam//
Tyler Perry cant direct it its too gangsta for him…….”

Okay, maybe not the best line in the EP but fuck Tyler Perry….. lol
Support Crooked and cop the album via iTunes over here

Rating – 3 Pimp hats out of 5 (Only coz I know homie is much better than this)
at
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)