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Mixtape & Album Review

Mixtape & Album Review

Monday, February 18, 2013

In an age where jackin' for beats is the normal part of the journey; there comes the inevitable throwback mixtape that will take that concept and turn it into an ingenious piece of work.

ARTIST(S): Beast Corps / Tony Touch
MIXTAPE: Spittin' to Da Oldies, Vol. 1
RELEASED: 2012
 
OVERALL RATING:

In an age where jackin' for beats is the normal part of the journey; there comes the inevitable throwback mixtape that will take that concept and turn it into an ingenious piece of work. This is how the collaboration project between Tony Touch and Beast Corps felt with their "Spittin' To Da Oldies, Vol. 1" mixtape.

It's one of those mixtapes that is niched to the 90's era fan mostly; blending the older production with an authentic DJ touch, and then adding some witty lines and comical punch lines to resemble a bit of the "spoof rap" people like Redman and Lords of the Underground were well known for. (Yes, reader, if you remember these names and beats, YOU will soon realize these "oldies" meant the music YOU listened to as a teen… pause)

If there's one thing that the listener becomes quickly aware of, it's to not underestimate the power of a remake with Beast Corps behind it. Their ability to not only match the flow and delivery down to syllables; but their odd ability to blend even the mixes similar like in "New York City Love" that was an NY rendition of "California Love" complete with effects and melody to match.

Not only was the delivery and mix similar to their originals, but the wordplay was complimentary to each track. In "Twinz Pt. II," you even get the Spanish rap twisted into the wordplay on a Big Pun remake when they say… "My blood is puro, my corazon is oscuro / hit these menudo n***az with a little puerto rican judo."

The DJ feel to the whole project was definitely much needed in this era of automated mixtapes. Having the Tony Touch name and brand along with drops of everyone from Parish Smith, to Lord Finesse, and even Method Man on the intro to their remake of "Bring the Pain" called "F**kin' Wit the Beast".

The bottom line on this project is that it's for the golden era lovers. If you don't appreciate 90's era production, you probably will not like this mixtape much. It's the risk taken when doing projects like these. The mixes definitely sound more golden era than contemporary; so it won't have that advanced HD feel that younger generations are used to. Honestly, it's not supposed to.

While we hesitate to call this a spoof mixtape; that's the best way we can describe the style of lyrics and delivery. There are a lot of funny lines and scenarios Beast Corps paints throughout the entire mixtape. It makes for a very entertaining compilation of remakes that both compliment the instrumentals and helps make the songs their own.

Unfortunately, this also means a lack of serious tracks that most golden era fans also enjoy. There's not really much substance in a lot of the tracks beyond the fact that it's made to have a good time. So, while the wordplay was on point and the blends and drops have the listener going; there was no real MEAT to the project that could push it beyond a house party favorite.

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ALBUM RATINGS
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

It's not often you get a well-rounded artist who can deliver on differing styles of music with the same energy and quality as that which makes them most comfortable. J-Scriptz is one of those kinds of artists.

Artist: J-Scriptz
Mixtape: Afraid of the Dark
Release Year: 2012
 
OVERALL RATING:
 
It's not often you get a well-rounded artist who can deliver on differing styles of a genre with the same energy and quality as that which makes them most comfortable. J-Scriptz is one of those kinds of artists. His ability to utilize various styles and incorporate them into his project is probably one of his greatest strengths; but it can also be costly in reviews like these that pick apart every aspect of a project from lyrics to production to mix.
 
To start off, the mixtape had a good vibe to it. While, it would have been preferable to hear less features; there were a lot of tracks with serious potential on this project. His intro titled, "Angels in the City" presented a strong introduction with lyrics to match the hard hitting production. He made it very clear he can get deep on a track and utilize wordplay and voice projection to his benefit.
 
Tracks like "More Than Ever" showed a real life depiction of love and its joys versus its struggles. He shows his devoted side on this by saying, "It's unconditional, my love for you is overdose / your baby blues are the reason I lost my lonely hopes / you helped me build a lifeline / that perfect smile got me staring for a lifetime." The women will enjoy this track on the emotional value it presents.
 
Another repeat track, and probably the strongest track on the project was "Afraid of the Dark" (the title track of course). From the production to the lyrics this cut was a definite banger. Unfortunately, the mix could have used some work to bring out the snares and some other 1K-ish frequencies. A small amount of compression on the instrumental probably would have also helped.
 
This was the major complication of the review throughout the project. While the songs were well put together; production selections were strong; and lyrics were delivered with quality; the mix lacked throughout the project, and It left the listener wanting to FEEL MORE of the track and not just the lyrics. While the overall objective of artists like this are to make the music vocally dominant on the mix to give clarity; sometimes it's overdone and the overall track loses the support of strong instrumentation. It seemed to be the case on this project.
 
Nonetheless, tracks like "Afraid of the Dark" still boasted lyrics like, "Try to cope, steady looking for a better half, I'm satan's prodigy profiting from a deadly past / It's so inaccurate, swiftly thinking I captured it; murdering all these pacifists thinkin they know half of it."
 
The only other feedback that could probably contribute to a better project on the next one would be to enlist a few singers. "Father Forgive Me" definitely needed a singer for the hook and "No More" was generally good; but could have stood out more on the vocal hooks. It was too bland of a melody and slightly drowned into the background of the song.
 
Overall, this is a good project to download and listen to. There's a few repeat tracks that made our playlists; so support your indies and download this project today. IT'S FREE!!!
 
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Friday, October 7, 2011

Annex is one of those artists that seeps quality in every aspect of his mixtape. For the Hip Hop enthusiast, this mixtape will be a breath of fresh air and a definite "bar-raiser" for many.

Artist(s): Annex
Mixtape: The Lost Era (2011)

Overall Rating:
 
OK, so it's been a while since an artist has completely impressed me in both lyrics and delivery. Annex is one of those artists that seeps quality in every aspect of his mixtape. For the Hip Hop enthusiast, this mixtape will be a breath of fresh air and a definite "bar-raiser" for many.
 
Opening up with soulful melodies in production, and well-delivered wordplay, from start to finish, there's very little bad to say about this mixtape. "History Repeated" sets the stage for his real life outlook on music and artistry by painting the picture of women who are left alone to raise children. We've heard this content before, but Annex's pictures are delivered quite differently as he tells his listeners to, "… remember that knowledge has an infinite wealth and history has a way of repeating itself."
 
He continues hammering away with track after track of straight heat with songs like "Coffee House" that display his lyrical genius along with a slick swing on production; to "Scratch On Em" that brings his more candid thoughts on other artists as he tells his listeners that his, "… crosshairs are aimed at any rapper that I question..."
 
One track of notable mention is "Never Be Free" that touches on the various world dilemmas that we at times forget in our pursuits for fame and parties. It can almost be guaranteed that Conspiracy Theory students will LOVE this track without a doubt!
 
Now, EVERY album and mixtape is never 100% perfect, so there are a few key downsides to some tracks on this mixtape, but most of them have to do with mixes or simply his reaching a bit far to sound a little different. Tracks like "Apologies" were a bit overpowering on the high end frequencies, and "City Life" was a bit overpowering on the low end frequencies. The "Show You How To Rock" track was simply just not fitting any other feel on the mixtape, and probably should have been pushed outside of this mixtape.
 
Other than a few hooks that could have been done differently and a slight drop in delivery in "Celebrate the BS," there's not much else to criticize on this mixtape. This is a MUST HAVE for anyone who truly loves Hip Hop music. Annex is most definitely an emcee from a LOST ERA!
 
 
 
 
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