Ckool JC album review
This cassette released by Jut Productions and U Be U from Saginaw, Michigan in 1993. Ckool JC is a rapper/MC from Saginaw. Another local rapper called Ckool C is all over this tape too. Producers are Ckool JC, Cassin Gate, and T-Fresh (Tony Smith).
The first track starts off with is Freestylin'. Freestylin' starts off with a whiny high pitched G-Funk synth on the high notes over a funky James Brown sample. Freestylin' is basically freestyle rap. Nothing more to it.
Get Off My Tip starts off with a New Jack Swing ballad over that hip hop sound. Ckool JC has similar distinct voice to the voice of Bobby Brown on this track right here. In fact, Ckool JC does sound very similar indeed to Bobby Brown while rapping. The New Jack Swing sound is very prevalent here as it was relevant for the time period this cassette was released in.
Poetry in Motion is rap at its finest! Just 2:45 minutes of pure unadulterated rap. Poetry in Motion samples Marvin Gaye - Make Me Wanna Holler.
While the beats and samples were typical for the golden era of Hip Hop and Rap, Ckool JC proves himself as a noteworthy rapper from Saginaw along with Ckool C. Ckool JC shines both as a lyricist and rapper. Most of the percussion and production was quite average. Ckool JC could have been a household name along with Ckool C if they had the right financial backing, promotion, and production team behind them at the time.
4/5****
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Lil Johnny - I Got You/Wheel Of Fortune single review
This single was released on Warner Brothers Records, Millennium Entertainment, and So So Def in 2001. Lil Johnny is from Flint, Michigan. There are 2 songs. These 2 songs are love songs for those don't remember!
I Got You is about Lil Johnny having a girlfriend but the only problem is he's only 15 and he doesn't have a car. Because Lil Johnny is 15 he is not legally able to drive a car on the road. His girlfriend tells Lil Johnny he doesn't have to go nowhere as long as he's with her. This is where he really shines.
I Got You features Jermaine Dupri as well. He raps the hooks with his signature single verses. I Got You is a love song basically.
The well known game show-inspired Wheel of Fortune was also on The Brothers soundtrack for those don't remember is also on this album. Wheel of Fortune is a great song to play during midnight to your lover after smooching whether it be dedicated for him or her. A great song for both lovers!
5/5*****!!
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Original B - World of Fools album review
World of Fools was released in 1996 on cassette only. All the inlay cover artwork was done by himself. Original B is a rapper from Cleveland, Ohio. Nothing much has been heard about him since 1996.
Hoochie Mama’s is dealing with the social problems and social concerns of women degrading themselves. All dem project hoes. These women that live in public housing projects such as HUD. Women who are on public assistance and welfare living in lower income areas. The ghetto of course.
XTC is about the dangers of the drug ecstasy. Ecstasy is a very dangerous drug that makes people very horny and perverted. Fools aren’t acting right when they’re on ecstasy.
The bass is real deep, dark, and brooding on the World of Fools track. Listen to the very beginning of the track. The mood is very brooding on the World of Fools track so you know shit’s about to get real deep! Really deep.
Original B tells his story. Original B grew up in church with a religious background like every black child. Then he started acting wild. He had girl after girl laying naked next to him. Now he hung with fools puffing on ecstasy. Now he is in the drug game. Currently he’s a rapper and storyteller. Hell is where Original B dwells. Original B is trying to find his place in this world of fools hence the title of the track.
This cassette was like no other album or EP that was coming straight out of the Ohio rap scene particularly the city of Cleveland. Brooding moods with deep dark heavy bass give out Esham’s acid rap vibe. Original B is a great storyteller in his own right and way. Too bad Original B never got his break.
5/5*****!
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Nicole Wray - Elektric Blue Album Sampler album review
The Elektric Blue Album Sampler by Nicole Wray was released in 2001 on CD by Elektra Records under Missy Elliott's Goldmind Inc. label and Warner Music Group too as well.
The songs are I'm Lookin', Wanna Cruise, Bangin' (Don't Lie) with Prodigy of Mobb Deep and Missy Elliott, Mama Used To Say (No Joke) with Redman and Missy Elliott, and Talk With Time. However some of the songs on the Elektric Blue album sampler are only 1 minute a piece as they are snippets except for Bangin’. The Elektric Blue Album Sampler comes with a total of 5 songs minus the intro along with the intermissions.
I'm Lookin' is a late night love song. You might have remember seeing the music video for this song on Midnight Love on BET back in 2001. I'm Lookin' is one of those late night cruise songs. DJ Eddie F produced I’m Lookin’.
Nicole Wray is looking for someone to love and hold on to. She’s looking for you. She’s looking for someone she can trust. But she has not someone for herself truly for her. Nicole wants to be like everyone else who’s dating. Well, Nicole wonders if she’ll ever be complete.
Wanna Cruise is one of those late night cruise songs. A song that you can cruise to when you're in your car cruising down the highway late at night. Late at night would be the best! Timbaland and Harold Lilly both had produced this long extensive masterpiece of a song while Nicole Wray composed its entirety. DJ Eddie F produced I’m Lookin’ and Wanna Cruise. Wanna Cruise is one of those sultry ballads along with I’m I’m Lookin’.
Mama Used To Say (No Joke) samples Mama Used To Say by 80's British electronic musician Junior. In fact, Mama Used To Say (No Joke) pays homage and is a tribute to Junior - Mama Used To Say. The song Mama Used To Say (No Joke) has a Rock feel to it. Rockwilder produced this song. This song also features Redman and Missy Elliott. It's one of those old school feel skating rink type of songs as Missy Elliott explained herself on the Elektric Blue album sampler. Mama Used To Say (No Joke) is for all those independent working people out there along with the working class people out there. Stop begging for money from your friends.
The moral to this song is to get a job occupation and get an income. Living life being ‘flat broke’ as in ‘broke as a joke’ is no fun. Stop begging for money from your friends. Stop thinking that life’s a joke. Get up off your ass and do something with yourself because you’ve got to live your life. Don’t live life for no one else. Haters gonna hate.
Bangin' features Prodigy of Mobb Deep and Missy Elliott. Bangin' is an upbeat fast paced song about a man sleeping with another woman and about what Nicole will do to her main man after the love. Bangin’ has Timbaland’s signature production on it with his usual double drums over fast paced beats. The horn synths in the background were Timbaland and Missy Elliott.
Talk With Time is a sweet, subtle song great for storybook telling time. It's about her and her boyfriend not getting to see each other because there is not enough time every day out the week for them to socialize and be together. The clock is ticking in the background. Harold Lily is on this song right after the first minute passes saying, “I won’t let you down. I love you baby!” Harold Lily produced Talk With Time and Wanna Cruise.
Out of all the album samplers to come out from Warner Music Group, the Elektric Blue Album Sampler is the most exclusive extensive album sampler to have come out from Warner Music Group next to the Lil Johnny - I Got You Album Sampler. Missy Elliott, Nicole Wray, and the producers put forth great effort for this album.
5/5*****!!
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TC - Exposed album review
For those who don't know, TC is from Sacramento, California. TC is Therman Conner. TC does the Indie music and R&B/Soul genres. The hit single is Hot Girl and the club single is Til the Sun Comes Up. The album was released on Soul 2 Real Entertainment. There are 13 tracks.
On the front cover, TC has that Jodeci look with the patent black leather jacket and the golden chain around the neck. He has that early-to-mid-90s look despite the 2000's sound.
The keyboarding skills on My Way are good. Big City Benjamin's seems like a Puff Daddy track. Party In The Back is a party club track obviously.You hardly ever get to hear those on R&B songs. You can definitely hear the early 2000's sound. Physical is a fast paced song. Sparkle should have been a single.
5/5*****!!
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Slaughterhouse Cartel - Gun Clappin' EP review
Looking for something hardcore metal to thrash out to and bang your head against? Well the Gun Clappin' EP by Slaughterhouse Cartel is the right EP for all you metal heads out there! Think hardcore thrash-metal mixed and blended in with thrashcore music similar to Cock Ball Torture, West Kraven, and Anal Cunt.
Gun Clappin' is the gun totting head, bangin' theme song off this righteous EP! It will make you metal heads scream and bang your heads against the thrashcore music! Gun Clappin' is the blood and guts theme to the dark sick twisted EP by Slaughterhouse Cartel. Think of the blood and guts on the wall as you enter a slaughterhouse on an extremely dark night. All the blood meat from pigs, cows, and cats.
5/5*****!
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Useless ID - Redemption album review
Pink Stars, Magazines, and Deny It were two of the best punk songs to ever be released in 2005 along Suffer in the Fame. It's Alright is a cool song! Redemption builds up well to a pop-punk chorus. This album is a crossover genre of Pop/Rock, better yet Pop/Punk.
What happened with Useless ID between the release of Bad Story Happy Ending and this album here called Redemption is unknown. Older Useless ID fans say was it wasn't good as the last album. Useless ID seems to have adopted a new "Gothic dark sound" that many of these bands have been adopting lately. Which sounds not too mature fortunately especially for those who are fans.
Any rock fan or metal thrashcore banger can get this album. Buy it!
4 1|2/5****(
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ZOX - The Rest EP review
Now The Rest album was an album of outtakes, demos, and rare songs form various ZOX studio sessions from over the years that ZOX was a rock band from the late 90s to the early 2010s. Some of the songs and compositions came from their tenure at SideOne Dummy Records. This ZOX album somehow wasn’t that stellar as some of the songs ended far too suddenly while others lingered out too long as.
This ZOX album somehow wasn’t that stellar as many ZOX fans thought it would be due to the lack of attention from music critics such as All Music, Skateboard Magazine, Punkzine, and Punk Magazine. The Rest EP came from ZOX in 2015 .
4/5****!!
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HERZOG - BOYS album review
HERZOG is a 4-piece band of four men of which HERZOG is a rock band. What HERZOG is trying to do is bring back that Seattle grunge sound that was popular in the 90s in its own way while rising to mainstream success on the Top BillBoard Charts. HERZOG is similar to Weezer, Nirvana, Ash, and Blues Travelers.
This album was released in 2014 on Exit Stencil Recordings. A label that is currently unknown. BOYS was released on CD. This album seems to have a hangover on pop. Meaning that there is heavy pop elements that is prevalent on this album. Taking a listen to this album is similar to a drug LSD experience. Take a puff of that smoke while listening to this album with your friends. It's an experience, metaphorically speaking, that you will not regret. This is also some music to cruise to. Taking it back into the 90s grunge sound is what HERZOG trying to do on this album.
Saint Scrapyard is a track that Nirvana would do. It's quite similar to Nirvana. Full Stick is one motorcycle ridin' musical track to ride to. It is one hell of a track! Satan is Real is a very wicked track.
Taking it back into the 90s grunge sound is what HERZOG trying to do on this album. That's why the grunge sound is so prevalent on this album. In fact, there are heavy amounts of pop elements in the rock ballads (songs).
5/5*****!
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Jello Biafra - The Big KABOOM album review
The Big Kaboom was recorded live in Madison, Wisconsin, back in November 2001. At the University of Wisconsin to be exact. This album was also rereleased in 2012.
Particularly, The Big Kaboom starts off with Jello Biafra discussing his views on the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, his views on the ugly aftermath since then, and the perpetual “War on Terror”.Jello Biafra also discusses historical events that may have contributed to the tragedy along with the repercussions.
Jello Biafra is still hungry for progressive socio-politico ideas due to his Green Party ideology. The Big KABOOM is relevant today. Please be sure to remember to get out there and vote! Before it's too late.
This album was basically an EP or a single since it only had one track.
It has some anti-Bush sentiment, anti-terrorism, and pro Green Party sentiments along with the pro Libertarian Party sentiments. This spoken word album was too predictable because 75% of the material on here would later be included on Machine Gun In The Clown's Hand. This is his worst spoken word album as his subject matter is too predictable.
1/5*
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Nac - Ready, Set, Swag album review
Ready, Set, Swag is an album filled with the new school sound blended into southern rap. Many sub-genres of Hip Hop and Rap are introduced such as Chopped & Screwed, country rap, bounce music, crunk, club hop, and snap. Each track has its own unique musical sound. Local artists such as Paul Wall, Latasha Lee, Basswood Lane, Chingo Bling, Swift of Carnival Beats, Salih Williams, Fif Wheel, Nawfstar, A3, Ice-B, and more.
DJ Grip & Nac start off the album with an introduction to boot. Both DJ Grip & Nac introduce who they are and when the album is about to begin. Step right up. Come one! Come all! Carnival Beats Entertainment starts off the album greatly!
Respect is all about respect henceforth the title. Nac demands respect from both his listeners and his audience. Nac wants respect as a rapper who’s coming from the underground scene who is not very well known at this point. First you get the power, then you get the respect similar to Scarface. Along with that said, you get money as well. The rapper Nawfstar demands the same respect as Nac does.
Basswood Lane along with Nac and Swift have clicked up together to create and formulate a tight ass ATX rap combination on the track Clicked Up. Rappers mentioned represent Austin, Texas to the fullest extent. Nac and Swift are no strangers to the Hip Hop and Rap genre as they are both producers for Carnival Beats Entertainment and Dollaz-N-Since. Basswood Lane is no stranger to Rap music either as they are heavyweights in the Austin Rap scene since the middle of the 2000s.
Drank is an ode to the synthetic drug beverage drink called “drank”. Drank is all about that purple drank. A beverage popularized in Texas culture and the Southern United States. Drank is one of those things that comes from underground culture and counter culture.
In Da Game is about how long Nac has been in the rap game for. Nac has been in the rap game for a minute now despite not being that well known in the underground scene. Nac is no stranger to the Hip Hop and Rap game as he is a producer for Carnival Beats Entertainment and Dollaz-N-Since in Austin, Texas.
Ladies in The Club is an ode to single ladies living the single life. Ladies in The Club is also an ode to single ladies in the club looking for a partner to dance with.
Nah, Swift, Fifwheel, and Latasha Lee aren’t playing any games on No Mo Games when it comes to lyricism in their raps. Each artist hits it off with their own verse.
4/5****!
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Madd Creole - Underground Legend album review
Legendary Austin music producer Madd Creole is back in the music business as well as the Austin music scene after taking some time out due to health related issues. Madd Creole was diagnosed with PTSD in 2010 attributed from his experiences in the military. As a result he was forced to retire from the music business and is currently guest speaking on music panels as well as helping other Veterans to receive the assistance that they need. After giving public speeches as a public speaker for Veteran’s Administration, Madd Creole comes back for 2016 with the compilation Underground Legend. Underground Legend is a compilation of tracks Madd Creole produced or composed from 1996 all the way to 2016.
Songstress/Austin rapper Staci Russell discusses how bad and how hood she is on I’m Bad I’m Hood. Staci Russell does not get the credit she deserves. Clock N Fingaz is the new single of the Underground Legend compilation featuring Paul Wall, Dougie D, Big Chop, and Big Swole. Clock N Fingaz is a hot new song! You won’t regret listening to it. Let The Top Down is about cars. Let The Top Down is a Big Chop track. Off the top! No question asked. Big Chop goes
Down Low and Big Chop take you on a ride in their backseat with the track Passenger Seat. So take a tour with them on their lyrical journey and just listen. Both Down Low and Big Chop go lyrical with their realist rhymin’. Big Chop stands out the most.
Ain’t shit changed on Ain’t Shit Changed. Southside still holding grain as Big Moe, ESG, and Lil Breazy put it. ESG comes off real with his realist rhymin’ on Ain’t Shit Changed. Big Moe does his soulful singing and chorus lines on the hooks as he usually did. Big Moe speaks upon how to hold grain and game while ESG speaks upon how to hold game.
Ain’t Shit Changed is mostly about how shit hasn’t changed in the South. Everything’s still the same. ESG and Big Moe are a great combination.
Whoever told you G-Funk and Gangsta Rap was dead, they're wrong! It just moved to the South. Listen to You Know How We Do It featuring Big Pokey from Wreckshop Records outta Houston, Texas! This is like a From Austin to Houston collaboration. It has that old 90s G-Funk sound. The Ice Cube sample is super dope! G-Funk and Ice Cube are a great combination.
Only Way 2 Shine was an underground hit for the group. This song is on this debut album, Only Way 2 Shine. This version of the song features Lil Keke. The other version on Stay Real features Lil Keke and Lil Flip. The Only Way 2 Shine track is from the debut Sam Huston Boys album of 2000.
5/5*****!
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ITZGARZA - @ITZGARZA album review
The @ITZGARZA was released by Big Records Group and BDM in 2011 on CD. @ITZGARZA is a rapper from Austin, Texas/Houston, Texas.
You can tell the artwork and graphic design is very detailed. The logo on the front cover which occupies 1/6th of the entire front cover is totally pimped out! Notice the surrounding concert speakers in the back. ITZGARZA the rapper, himself, in centered in the middle. The graphic design company did a superb excellent job on the “@ITZGARZA” logo. The “@ITZGARZA” logo stands out very well and is noticeable from 10 feet away. There are many discrepancies between the text and artwork.
@ITZGARZA is an unearthed “diamond in the row” album that came from the Austin Hip Hop/Rap scene that is truly unlike no other album that came out in 2011.
5/5*****!
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Starclub - Hard To Get EP EP review
The front cover of the cassette single has a 3 leaf clover symbol in shape of a cloud form. The back cover is in black and white. It reminds me of U2. Starclub reminds me of U2 and Fleetwood Mac mixed together with Misfits. I really like that. Although this EP seems more 1980s than 1990s.
Hard to Get is a catchy upbeat song with a bounce theme to it added with some classic hard rock. The drums are very good. Let Your Hair Down is about having fun in the summer. Call My Name is a smooth calm song. It's about letting the pain go away. Love changes. Songs Hard To Get, Let Your Hair Down, The Question, and Call My Name are off the self-titled album. I think this EP is pretty good.
5/5*****!
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Lil Black - Disrespectful album review
Lil Black starts of the introduction with a Southern rap freestyle similar to how most Texas rappers do their own freestyles. This freestyle rap that is similar to Lil Flip when you listen to the introduction. Lil Black goes hard on his freestyles.
Fo My Niggaz On The Corner is very similar to the track Lyqour On The Curb that Lil Black, Mr. Dizz, Smackola, and MC Fatal did for the 1999/2001 Baby Luke - Ballers Don’t Complain compilation that was a regional success in the Southern United States at that time period. Fo My Niggaz On The Corner has that sad darkened mood as Lyqour On The Curb did. Fo My Niggaz On The Corner is somewhat death themed.
Lil Black kicks off another freestyle again. Very similar to a Southern rap freestyle similar to how most Texas rappers do their own freestyles of course. Lil Black goes hard on his freestyles.
Here I Come marks the return of Lil Black as Victor Newman for the new decade. All haters be aware because Lil Black is resurfacing onto the music scene as Victor Newman. Lil Black had been working on 3 or 4 new albums in the studio at the time of this album. Here I Come is a great comeback track for Lil Black to resurface onto as. All sucker MC’s and player haters be ware!
Nigga Want To Kill Me is somewhat death themed of course. It has that Scarface feel to it. One of the rap tracks from the neo-gangsta rap era.
4/5****
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Zeerok - Kompoztor album review
The album Zeerok - Kompoztor was released on CD in 2006 on Minnow Records.
Zeekrok (Zhenya Rock) is a guitarist originally from Vologda, Russia whom now resides in Hutto, Texas which is 30 miles northeast of Austin, Texas. Zeerok compares himself to the likes of Elvis Presley. Kompoztor is a selection of songs over 80 minutes from over years with Siberian surf-rockers The Red Elvises. Listening to Kompoztor is an unworldy experience. The album Kompoztor is on a whole different level!
Sunshine is a wholehearted tribute to Bluegrass and Rockabilly. Sunshine is not about getting drunk after drinking 12 packs of beer or one-night stands. Sunshine is a song everybody can relate to. The acoustics are well emphasized on Sunshine. Zeekrok’s guitar playing skills really shine and stand out here on the album.
El Nino is an example of how Russian dance music meets surf rock melodies not to mention Russian Folk music. El Nino is weird yet funky to such eclectic music such as this. El Nino is an example of a funky acoustic guitar ballad that follows the melody.
Cold Heat comes with a Gypsy-flavored chorus on a funky acoustic guitar ballad. The beat follows the Russian melody. Cold Heat is similar to Russian dance music. The phase of the beat catches into the song.
To The Top is something similar to soulful Ray Charles. The chorus is well emphasized. No To The Top is not about takin’ it to the top.
Cry Me A River is house meets surf not to mention Russian dance music.
5/5*****!
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