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Category Archives: Reviews
Review: J. Medeiros, “Of Gods and Girls”
J. Medeiros steps out from his main gig with the Procussions to offer Of Gods and Girls, a disc that explores sundry political and social concerns. Continue reading
Review: Dälek, “Deadverse Massive Vol. 1”
New Jersey duo Dälek collects several years of industrial experiments and metallic hip-hop into Deadverse Massive vol. 1, a rarities disc with some appeal for the casual listener. Continue reading
Review: Phat Kat, “Carte Blanche”
For his second album, underrated Detroit vet Phat Kat brings a solid collection of raps alongside beats by J Dilla, Black Milk, Young RJ and others. Continue reading
Review: Sa-Ra, “The Hollywood Recordings”
After nearly being shelved indefinitely by Sony, Sa-Ra’s debut finally gets released on Babygrande. J Dilla, Erykah Badu, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Talib Kweli and Capone-N-Noreaga drop in and pay their respects to the future soul avatars. Continue reading
Review: Awol One & Factor, “Only Death Can Kill You”
Super-prolific L.A. veteran Awol One returns with Only Death Can Kill You, a dark collection of songs made with Canadian producer Factor. Continue reading
Review: Lifesavas, “Gutterfly”
For its second album, Jumbo the Garbageman, Vursatyl and DJ Rev. Shines go back to the 70s to create Gutterfly, a funky parable of today’s troubled urban landscape. Continue reading
Review: Evidence, “The Weatherman”
The LA rapper-producer from Dilated Peoples crafts a surprisingly solid debut, thanks to a key assist from longtime homie and co-executive producer the Alchemist. Continue reading
Review: J Dilla, “Ruff Draft”
Ruff Draft is the first of what will undoubtedly be several reissues, retrospectives and compendiums of posthumous material by the illustrious late producer James “J Dilla” Yancey. Continue reading
Review: Ta’Raach, “The Fevers”
Formerly known as Lacks, producer/emcee Ta’Raach has studied with Slum Village and other Detroit deli-ticians. His new album, The Fevers, maintains the hip-hop slanguage pioneered by J-Dilla. Continue reading
Review: Sean Price, “Jesus Price Supastar”
Finally, another review! This time around Marc Stretch gives a thumbs up to Jesus Price Supastar, the latest from underground hero Sean Price. Continue reading
Review: Peanut Butter Wolf presents “Stones Throw Ten Years”
Peanut Butter Wolf’s Stones Throw team has been cranking out product lately, from free albums to idiosyncratic manifestos. This retrospective is a re-release of a compilation exclusively released through Guitar Center last summer. Continue reading
Review: Sadat X, “Black October”
Sadat X is the Brand Nubian underdog, an MC appreciated by true rap fans for his unique lyrical styles. Black October, his solid fourth album, was finished just before he was incarcerated at Riker’s Island, where he currently serves a year-long sentence for gun possession. Continue reading
Review: Ghostface Killah, “More Fish”
On the second album in less than a year from 2006 MVP candidate Ghostface Killah, the onetime king of Wallabies gives his fledgling crew Theodore Unit a chance to shine. Continue reading
Review: Juggaknots, “Use Your Confusion”
Use Your Confusion is the Juggaknots first album in nearly ten years, and follows the 1997 underground classic Clear Blue Skies. Now a group of MCs in their early thirties, Breezly Brewin, Herawin and Buddy Slim have grown considerably since their youth spent as leading lights in the New York hip-hop scene. Continue reading
Review: Oddisee, “Foot in the Door”
Amir “Oddisee” Muhammed first came to light on Jazzy Jeff’s 2003 album The Magnificent. Now, after years spent working at Jeff’s A Touch of Jazz studios, the D.C. rapper and musician steps out with a full-fledged debut. Continue reading
40 Noteworthy Albums of 2006
Hip-hop is dead? Naw. Plug One’s inaugural summation of the year’s best proves that New York’s gift to the world is alive and well. 40 albums, 40 reasons to celebrate. Continue reading
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Review: Nas, “Hip Hop is Dead”
On his eighth album Hip Hop is Dead, G.O.A.T. candidate Nas writes an elegy of sorts to the cultural movement that saved him from urban obsolescence. But can he satisfy the Illmatic conservatives? Continue reading
Review: Clipse, “Hell Hath No Fury”
With amazingly minimalist beats from the Neptunes, the second album from Virginia fabulists Clipse is a veritable template for cocaine rap. But Pusha T and Malice’s cold-hearted rhymes are not without moral remorse. Continue reading
Review: Flying Lotus, “1983”
Flying Lotus 1983 Plug Research The luminous cluster burst that is Flying Lotus’ debut 1983 resembles other phenomena: the romantic indulgences of Daedelus (who contributes a hopped-up remix of the title track), the vocal chops and edits of Scott Herren, … Continue reading
Review: De La Soul, “Impossible: Mission”
De La Soul Impossible: Mission AOI /Traffic De La Soul fans are nothing if not obsessive. To the hardcore, the fact that Impossible: Mission is more a mix tape than proper album makes it all the more essential. This 20-track … Continue reading