Buttabean - Livin Large album review
Livin Large was an album Buttabean released on Wrecking The Mic Recordz based outta Waco, Texas in 2002. This album is of his is a living testimony about survival of the fittest. He explains his rise to power in the underground scene of Waco rap with songs such as My Testimony, Living Proof, and Survival of the Fittest. He even has something for the ladies or for a night of romance with songs such as OOOH Baby and Freak Wit Me. Livin Large is some heart pumpin’, fist pumpin’ music that is surely confrontational and gets real raw. The style of country rap on this record is unique and unheard of.
Living Proof is a song about how you can be a legend if you motivate yourself to become one. True legends are bought with money. He explains his rise to power in the underground scene of Waco rap on Living Proof. Buttabean is living proof of what Texas rap has been missing in.
Come With Me came from the underground sessions (studio sessions) of recording the Livin Large album. The song is a freestyle. The song Come With Me appeared on his other 2002 album Just Give Me One Shot. The song is ridden with a fat bass line and dark thick piano notes. The song is fuckin sick!
5/5*****!
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Eddie Matos - NY Tags EP / NY Trip EP EP review
NY Tags EP / NY Trip EP is another one of Eddie Matos’ deep house EPs that somehow got overlooked by house heads. The sounds of jazz fusion and deep house meet each other on this EP. Eddie Matos – NY Tags EP / NY Trip EP was released as a 12” inch vinyl single and digital download in 2002 on the San Diego based label Vista Recordings.
The sounds of jazz fusion and deep house meet each other on Keep On. Notice the tribal beats, house sounds, thick bass, guitars, and electric pianos. Some of the instrumentation is distorted due to the number of instruments used on the song. For example, the tribal beats and thick bass overlap a saxophone which is playing quietly in the background. Eddie Matos is known for using several instruments and multiple layers of instrumentation on his songs.
Free is a deep house song lacked with ultra-thick heavy bass and tribal beats. The song uses several vocals samples from many different songs. Deep house at its finest right here.
Jeff Craven served as executive producer on Toby's Groove while Eddie Matos arranged the instrumentation. Of course the song is going to be absolutely brilliant and wonderful if Eddie Matos produced it. Toby's Groove uses a George Benson-esque jazz sample. Toby's Groove is similar to Lil Louis - Do U Luv Me due to the up beat nature.
5/5*****!!
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Jhiame - From Memphis 2 Houston album review
Jhiame - From Memphis 2 Houston is regarded as a modern day Purple Rain. Even Jhiame himself regards From Memphis 2 Houston as a modern day Purple Rain. 20 tracks of history on modernized classical beats and heat. The album puts R&B back into hip hop with a soul touch and twist while combining the Memphis sound with that Houston sound. From Memphis 2 Houston features live musicians on many of the songs.
The album serves as the chronicles of Lil June Banks. This album took Jhiame 20 years to make. Jhiame considers this album his best work.
The album From Memphis 2 Houston was released as a digital download online in January 2020. You can find this album on all streaming outlets.
Dat Cumbak Stuff is a Prince and Morris Day duet tribute performed by Jhiame and a handful of live musicians. Jhiame claims the Minneapolis sound had a direct correlation to the Memphis sound. Prince Nelson is the reason Jhiame started recording.
The song is a straight up soul classic which is considered to be a throwback by many Jhiame fans. Which is exactly why you can hear that throwback sound as you listen to this song. The sounds of Prince and Morris Day are what’s missing in music today. The sound of Prince needs to be commemorated. The song is so 80s and 90s. That is the beauty in Dat Cumbak Stuff.
The beat on I’m Tha Rite 1 was produced by John Bido and samples Geto Boys - My Minds Playing Tricks On Me. I’m Tha Rite 1 is Jhiame’s cover of Geto Boys - My Minds Playing Tricks On Me. Jhiame stays on key and on note when he sings. The musical tone is set right.
Jhiame relates to Verse 2 the most because it actually happened to him with his first ex. Read the lyrics below to get a better understanding.
[Chorus]
Keep it real,
U can ride, u can live, u can die
Trick fuck wit me
Suicide
I’m Tha Rite 1
[Verse 2]
I made big money, I drove a lotta cars
Everybody know me! An H-Town star
It’s late at night but something ain’t right
Dis chic/bitch is getting texts by the same playa/nigga ain’t right
Is the hater/nigga that I ran down the block?
Or is it that fool that I almost shot?
Or is it that trick/bitch we beat for $5,000 dollars?
Thought he met a model but in fact he had a robber
Now she tryna do me!
Treat me like a sucker
Ain’t no use of me lying
I’m getting mad as a muthafucka
Caught her cheating at Popeyes, then pulled up quick
You better take this trick!
Take this lick
Get yo shit!
It’s over with!
Looking dumb coming back like I figured
She found out he was a lame ass nigga
What she’s saying had my new lady gigglin'
This chic/bitch here bipolar
She ain’t gettin it
Don't wanna hear that noise
I thought you were a true 100%
Found out that you a fraud
While she watchin' I’m cocking and waiting on da drama
Summa Breeze features Paul Wall and has that classic Houston sound. If you come from Houston or making it out of Houston, you show the drop tops and slabs love. They are the ones play the underground music almost before everyone else. Summa Breeze pays respect to H-Town car culture.
Parts of Summa Breeze samples DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime. The part I am referring to in particular are the riffs and sines. The sines in particular are what sample DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime. The song is so 90s. That is the beauty in Summa Breeze. It’s gutta soul music.
I Got Shot is Jhiame’s tribute to Willie D - Clean Up Man and Marvin Gaye - Make Me Wanna Holler which features live musicians. That is why you the bongo samples from Marvin Gaye - Make Me Wanna Holler in the background as Jhiame sings. Hip hop meets R&B/soul on I Got Shot. The song follows a Marvin Gaye melody.
The sounds of Curtis Mayfield meets Twista and the Isley Brothers with Al Green on the song iRemember When. iRemember When was produced by Pimp C with all Memphis musicians. The song borrows a Jazzy Pha beat.
(Itgodine)4REAL is one funky track backed by a funky electric guitar. The song was produced by DJ Gold.
YA MOMMA SIDEPIECE is a song dedicated to the lovely side chicks out. You know the ones (women) who you keep by your side in private and in secret. Many Jhiame fans regard this song as a classic. The song was released as a single online in 2014.
The title track From Memphis 2 Houston combines the Memphis sound with that Houston sound hence the appropriate title. It’s gutta soul music.
Jhiame wrote the song MOE~Yo! (aSoufsidenNawfsideLuvstory) for the late great rapper Big Moe. The song serves as a tribute and a reminder of his legacy.
U MY FAVORITE BITCH! is a blues meets hip hop from tha gutta type of sound. Think Al Green meets Little Milton. The song samples an R. Kelly beat. U MY FAVORITE BITCH is referred to as a cafe single. Right here is some new blues. Blues with a new touch.
4/5****!
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Kool Daddy Fresh - Plottin album review
Kool Daddy Fresh - Plottin is a very overlooked album from Nashville rap which dropped in the 90s. Kool Daddy Fresh is on point with this album. Everything from sex rap to gangsta rap is what you can expect to hear on this album.
I wish I had a Key expresses Kool Daddy Fresh’s desires to live lavishly. Living on the wrong side of the law comes with the territory of living lavishly. He ain’t down with being broke. True words from an underrated rapper coming from the South. The only downsides of this song are his vocals being overlapped by the instrumentation and the low volume. I wish I had a Key samples Art of Noise - Moments in Love.
Fresh Jawbreaker is a jovial song about candy in a hip hop/rap fashion. Notice the ultra-thick heavy bass, sines, and SP1200 beats. The hip hop candy shop is where you will find Kool Daddy Fresh and Pistol. The hip hop candy is selling a special on jawbreakers. 10 jawbreakers for $1 dollar is the special. All shapes, sizes, and colors. Jawbreakers taste sweet when insert them into your mouth. The hip hop candy shop is posted up on the block.
Petty Hoes is a song aimed to them triflin’ ass hoes out there. The song is laced with a funky piano backing. What makes a nigga want to break up with a hoe? Many things.
5/5*****!
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The Blow Pop Crew – Drop The Bass / Rock It single review
The Blow Pop Crew – Drop The Bass / Rock It is one of the earliest singles to have dropped from the Nashville rap scene. The Blow Pop Crew was a hip hop act that was popular in Nashville and West Coast back in 1987. The Blow Pop Crew dominated Nashville in their time. While the name “The Blow Pop Crew” might sound corny and cookie cutter by today’s standards, the name was fresh back in the 80s. The single is laced with ultra-thick heavy bass, dope 808 beats,. Drop The Bass is a testament to this.
Drop The Bass was a smash hit in Nashville, Tennessee. Drop The Bass was their debut single which soon caught attention from the music industry. People from the South and West instantaneously fell in love with Drop The Bass.
Drop The Bass is a mid tempo paced song with dope 808 beats, ultra-thick heavy bass, and intense scratches by DJ Dew. Drop The Bass uses many idiosyncrasies such as DJ Dew's cut up and 808 enhanced approximation of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" which was used on "Drop The Bass”. This was the song which people had burned up their amplifiers to while cruising.
Rock It is a cool laid back mid tempo rap song ridden with intense scratches by DJ Dew. The 808 beats are super fresh and cool.
4/5****.
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Eddie Matos – Moving Forward EP EP review
Eddie Matos – Moving Forward EP is more dance oriented than house despite the EP being labeled as electronic or house. That is because of the upbeat tempo, tribal beats, and electro synths which are used throughout the EP. This EP uses a more Afrocentric based sound than all of other singles and EPs. Of course there is some serious tech house hidden here.
Got To Be uses a range of Afrocentric percussion from bongos to congas to timbales. The song also uses electronic synths which are fairly low quality. The song also uses a mean saxophone in a jazzy style.
One Serious Groove is a song which will surely hype up the dance floor. One Serious Groove uses a range of Afrocentric percussion from bongos to congas to timbales also. An element of blues is added to the groove with a harmonica. The song is seriously sexy.
3/5***
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Xplicit - Xplicit single review
Xplicit - Xplicit is one of the most underrated R&B/soul records to ever have come outta H-Town! Not too many people know about this record. The EP is filled with sultry love ballads and mean hooks. Most of the songs on the EP are fairly mid tempo. Xplicit is one of the many R&B acts produced for on his Jhiame Productions label back in the 90s. Xplicit is one of the most underrated and overlooked R&B to ever have come outta H-Town.
Henndonesia uses a touch of old school soul, pop flair, and R&B. So grab the weed and some Hennessy as things get sweet and sexy with Xplicit as they sing this love ballad. The song is perfect to jam out to and vibe. It will have your head nodding all night. Surprising for a song titled “Henndonesia”, the song is not too explicit.
Henndonesia samples The Isley Brothers - Make Me Say It Again Girl. The same sample used on Al-D - Long Live 83rd. This sample is not heard often outside of R&B/soul.
Hit That Thang is about bedroom sex. Xplicit gets more sexually explicit on this song.
Hit That Thang was produced by Jhiame back when he was OG Jhiam Dog. Jhiame and Xplicit take you from the streets to the sheets. Jhiame himself takes you from the streets to the sheets with his spectacular production skills and old school R&B/soul style throughout the entirety of this song. He hits the bass lines and beats with an attitude. Also Jhiame does vocals throughout different parts of the song.
Jhiame is the one doing the vocals on the intro. Jhiame made a catchy sentence during the intro that will stick inside your head. “From the streets to the sheets.” Now that’s catchy right there.
This woman got her man late for work again. He just can’t seem to fight the temptation of staying home instead. The more he tries to conceal his love, she simply divides him. What she did to his poor long body last night cannot be explained. That would be too sexually xplicit to explain.
A lot of things are planned for tonight. A few drinks with some endo (weed). And of course sexual intercourse.
Geekin’ was a song for all those freaks out there.
5/5*****!!
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Eddie Matos – Funkee Riddims EP EP review
Eddie Matos – Funkee Riddims EP was released as a digital download in WAV format on the Canadian label 83 West Records and Siesta Music in 2004. This EP is not only filled with Afrocentric percussion and looped vocal samples. There are elements of techno, reggae, and funk too. None of which can get too repetitive. It’s basically the beautiful sounds of house music.
The song House Music is a representation of what house music is. It’s basically the beautiful sounds of house music all in one song. Afrocentric percussion, thick heavy bass, obnoxious synths, and techno. House music. Feel it. This is what we call Easy Listening Underground House Music. The song has a funky rhythm.
Subliminal techno music is what you can expect to hear on In My Mind. Breathtaking is one word to describe the song. Multiple layers of instrumentation are used on this song. You can hear a vocal sample from St. Germain - What’s New used in the song. Here is the vocal sample which was used in the song.: This is what we call Easy Listening Underground House Music
Funkee Riddim is a techno song which has a funky rhythm.
5/5*****!!
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The Amalgamation Of Soundz - The Amalgamation Of Soundz EP EP review
The Amalgamation Of Soundz - The Amalgamation Of Soundz EP is combination of future jazz and electronic music all in one recording. The Amalgamation of Soundz follow their jazzy influences with this release. They never fail to disappoint us with their unique sound. This EP was released on vinyl in 2001 and is one of their harder to find releases.
Alone is a breathtakingly dark future jazz composition back an ensemble of acoustic guitars, obligatory heavy bass, and electronically processed techno beats. Alone is more electronic oriented than jazz oriented. Despite that, The Amalgamation of Soundz follow their jazzy influences on Alone. The break for the bassline to drop is infectious.
Imagine an old noir film, a ragtime jazz band playing at a super fast speed, an electronic soundscape, and a drum session all playing at one. That is what Guilty As Charged sounds like. The song sounds like 7 records all playing at once similar to the Zoogz Rift - Sons of Puke album. The song certainly has a unique style. Guilty As Charged is notable for its intense drumming, muffled old noir film sample, and multiple layers of instruments. The tempo is 150 BPM. Future jazz meets electronic on Guilty As Charged.
Ten Scroats To A Pound stands out to the eye and hear thank to the title. Not only does this song have an orchestral piano soundscape, there is a presence of ambient sound over a drum kit. The ambience is really nice with the lush piano soundscape.
5/5*****!!
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