Best of Mixerr Album Reviews! Page 417

Kev Brown – I Do What I Do album review

Kev Brown – I Do What I Do is one of the best underground hip hop albums of 2005 filled with a nostalgic sense of boom bap and jazzy hip hop. All of the songs included on this album interpolate that smooth downtempo hip hop sound. These are notes from the intelligent side of hip-hop for you intellectuals out there.

Kev Brown is one of the dopest MCs in hip hop right now. He is also a dope producer. Sadly he is a slept on producer who does not get the credit or recognition he truly deserves. He is the beat surgeon of hip hop and is one of hip hop’s best kept secrets.


Kev Brown explores relationships, escapism, and heart break while reflecting on his own personal relationship issues on the song Albany. Kev Brown wonders why his relationship to his girl didn’t work out. He is just wondering about her but not crying over her. Albany uses a capo transposer over the acoustics.

They were close to starting something but life got in the way. There was some courtship going during the beginning of their relationship. They went on a couple of dates. However their lives took them both on different directions. This happens in our lifetime. He would loved to have gone further in their relationship but some things aren’t meant to be.

Kev thought about his ex today. It's been a long time since Kev seen her last. It's like time moves too fast to keep your grasp. At least sometimes it does. He was going to call her but she is busy. He keeps thinking about their first date. The whole vibe was chill. They both had a lot in common. Now they are worlds apart. He misses her goodnight kisses.

He laments about what led them break apart from their relationship in these lyrics. “I wonder what it was that made you fall back?/I wonder what it was, but I won't dwell on that/We never hung out that much, still/When we did hang out”

He doesn’t even know what to say. Kev went back to his hometown for a minute. However he ended up staying down here indefinitely. He has questions but no answers. Sadly he had to roll on a brand new friendship. It could have been a little romance too.


Allways is a song men can definitely relate to. Any of you single men can relate to this single. These are notes from the intelligent side of hip hop which should hit hard to home. So pay attention, take notes, and listen closely. Kev Brown explores relationships, escapism, and heart break while reflecting on his own personal relationship issues.

Kev Brown has never been in a serious relationship before. That is probably because he can relate to women. This of course makes things difficult for him to connect to women. Being lonely is a regular thing for him as he spends his days isolated. He stays busy in the studio recording, composing, and producing songs.

These lyrics hint his experience with heartbreak. “Seems like every girl I've chosen, heart's frozen/Or maybe I don't know how to pick, tho/Seems like every chick I know is out to get dough/And I ain't gotta lot of that, and I don't front about it/You think I'ma be hittin' you off without it?Crazy/Where they come off at?” He is tired of having bad experiences with women.

He tells women to leave him isolated if they have nothing offer in him in return for their reciprocated love. Read these lyrics below.

I'ma 'bout to start lettin' these broads know off the bat
If you ain't bringin' nothin' to the table, then leave
Give a dude room to breathe, and then maybe you can proceed
Somethin' real instead of the fake
Somethin' you feel and appreciate
Worth the wait
It's always got to be somethin'
It's like... what the heck is this?

These lyrics explain how difficult it is for Kev to understand women. He has experienced all types of temptations.

You know I'm really tryin' not to be a pessimist
But on the other hand
I cram to understand your plan
Feminine ways is like a maze with a Minotaur in the middle
Women be thinkin' we all dogs without the kennel
You don't even know what I've been through
Cuz y'all be comin' wit' all types of drama I don't wanna get into
All types of temptations,
With your small waist... and thick hips...


Struggla’s Theme explains how Kev stays original by sticking to his old school roots because he is passionate about his music as a producer that composes the dope musical notes that move folks. He talks about how he is going to gain and earn respect.

Kev Brown tries to remain classic and stay original by sticking to his old school roots because he is passionate about his music as a producer.  Old school measures are drastic. But he never had a problem gaining respect. However he has had problems gaining his checks from past work as a producer in the music business. Bills are piled up to his neck because of this. He’s about ready to slap the smirk off jerks for trying to get over on him. Kev is already close to the edge. He’d rather be somewhere getting toasted instead.

He will write how he feels regardless of anything else that happens. Apologizing for telling the truth is pure nonsense. He won't be diplomatic to critics. Cats saying he is soft with the beats. Kev Brown composes the dope musical notes that move folks. There’s dudes on his block grinding harder than Clipse is.

Honestly there should have been a version without Grap Luva because Kev Brown flourishes as a solo artists with his lyricism here. Kev Brown should have rearranged his verse by separating his original verse into 2 verses to be his own solo song. That way Struggla’s Theme could and would have been his own song.

Here is how his verse should have been split into 2 verses.

[Verse 1]
I try to remain classic
Old school measures are drastic, passionate, most are plastic
Collaborate with bills piled up to my neck
But never had a problem gaining respect
I've had problems gaining my checks from past work
I'm bout ready to slap the smirk off jerks
For tryna get over on Kev
I'm already close to the edge
I'd rather be somewhere getting toasted instead
Won't be diplomatic to critics I'm just
Too broke to bend any further forget it
I write how I feel regardless

[Verse 2]
Apologizing for telling the truth is pure nonsense
Cats saying I'm soft with the beats
Come around my way dog, see if you don't get stomped in the streets
(let em know Kev)
For gettin it twisted
It's dudes on my block grinding harder than Clipse is
And I'm one of em
But not with the dope you smoke
I compose the dope musical notes that move folks
Nah, not with the dope you smoke
I compose the dope musical notes that move folks


5/5*****!!

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The Dayton Family - Charges of Indictment album review

The Dayton Family - Charges of Indictment was one of the hardest Michigan rap albums from 2011. Prostitute Killer and Cocaine were the highlights from the album which were super dope and hype. This album is filled with banging new tracks! This 2011 album is a mixture of gangsta rap and horrorcore. Storytelling on this album is remarkable with songs such as Prostitute Killer. You can expect a lot of energy on this album with club anthems such as Cocaine and Pill Popp’n.

The amount of artists and groups are perfect. Not too many guest features which is a good thing. The featured groups are Top Authority from Flint and ICP. Philly Cocaine makes an appearance too. Mike E. Clark is the producer. The Dayton Family - Charges of Indictment was released on Psychopathic Records Sub-label Hatchet House in 2011.


The song Cocaine is an ode to cocaine. The Dayton Family raps about how they want to escape to a place where everybody does cocaine. The song was a genius cover of the Cheers Theme song. Mike E. Clark nailed it with the production due to the way he warped those synths, vocals, and guitar notes. Take notice of how a huge incorporation of rock is used in the chorus.

The way these lyrics from the Cheers Theme song were used in the song was genius and clever.

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got
Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot
Wouldn't you like to get away
Sometimes I wanna go where everybody sells cocaine, the bitches selling coke
And the bitches don't be dames, them bitches smoking dope
I wanna go where you can smoke for free (hey!), and niggas get drunk and insane
I wanna go where everybody sells cocaine
Everybody everybody selling coke boy
Everybody everybody selling coke boy

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes The Dayton Family wants go where everybody sells cocaine. And the bitches don't be dames. A place where the bitches are selling coke and smoking dope They want go where you can smoke for free. To a place where niggas get drunk and insane.

Bootleg discusses how The Dayton Family got into the drug business and how they were introduced to the drug called cocaine. The Dayton Family was broke along with everybody growing up in Flint, Michigan during that time. The Dayton Family was broke until they got introduced to a drug known as cocaine. They bought some jewelry and some Jordans. Murder on the mind 24/7.

The Dayton Family started off on the block selling rocks and dodging cops. Dayton Ave. was the spot. Bootleg was a young killer with the glock. The Dayton Family lived and died by the words that they spoke. So they knew not to speak if police caught The Dayton Family selling dope. Bootleg’s connect was plugged as he had assortments of drugs. He started Bootleg off with a ki. He flipped that brick back. They ran numbers out his club.

Bootleg was a millionaire in the making by the age of 21. He was about to buy his sister a salon and buy his mother a house. He was also about to buy his brothers new whips and move them both deep in the South. But the feds were at his door with charges of distribution of an illegal substance. And now you know why.

Bootleg discusses how The Dayton Family got into the drug business and how they were introduced to the drug called cocaine in his verse with these lyrics

[Bootleg]
Everybody everybody growing up we was broke until we got introduced to the coke bought some jewelery and some Jordans boy that was all she wrote
We started off on the block selling rocks dodging cops
A young killer with the clock and Dayton Ave. was the spot
And we lived and we died by the words that we spoke
So we knew not to speak if they caught us selling dope
My connect he was plugged had assortments of drugs
And the ..., they shot boy, they ran numbers out his club
He started me off with a key, bring me back to 18,300
And if you cook and it don't come back i give that shit to you free
I flip that brick money back I'm enjoying my run
A millionaire in the making by the age of 21
About to buy my sister a salon
Buy my mama a house, buy my brothers new whips and move them both deep in the south
But the feds were at my door with distribution of blow
And now you know why...

Shoestring wants to be and live life in the fast lane in this motherfucking dope game in the hood with no motherfucking coppers. Smoking that weed with his people.

Backstabber and Philly Cocaine dope were in the dope game. Ruby and Professor brought Backstabber and Philly Cocaine to talk the dope game. Sink clogged up niggas waiting on the drain. Kush got them paranoid. Shoveling 10 inches of snow on the sidewalk. The mafia is black and Big Meech is the president.


The track Psycho is an energetic horrorcore rap song. The Dayton Family killed the song with their interpretive lyrics. Notice how Verse 1 has good energy. Good to work out and exercise to. The track Psycho should have been a single as well.

Kill with Twiztid is an energetic horrorcore rap song. Twiztid killed the song with their interpretive lyrics. Notice how Verse 1 has good energy. Good to work out and exercise to. The chorus has catchy but repetitive lyrics which go “I will/Kill/I will/Kill/I will/Kill”. Kill was produced by Doniel Strong at Strong Productions.

Shoestring goes off as usual which he did on the song War Time. He always had those dark ass grimey lyrics. The whole song is dope. This goes to show us (and you) that not every rap song needs an insanely catchy hook to be a masterpiece. War Time is one of those examples.

4/5****!

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The Dayton Family - Psycho EP review

The Psycho EP by The Dayton Family EP was released on Psychopathic Records Sub-label Hatchet House in 2011. Think of Rock and Hip Hop/Rap when you listen to this EP. This album is filled with 5 new banging tracks! The EP featured groups are Top Authority from Flint and ICP. Philly Cocaine makes an appearance too. Mike E. Clark is the producer. The amount of artists and groups are perfect. Not too many guest features which is a good thing. Although this EP should have been much longer. Both Prostitute Killer and Cocaine are the cut tracks and are both the singles for this EP.


The song Cocaine is an ode to cocaine. The Dayton Family raps about how they want to escape to a place where everybody does cocaine. The song was a genius cover of the Cheers Theme song. Mike E. Clark nailed it with the production due to the way he warped those synths, vocals, and guitar notes. Take notice of how a huge incorporation of rock is used in the chorus.

The way these lyrics from the Cheers Theme song were used in the song was genius and clever.

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got
Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot
Wouldn't you like to get away
Sometimes I wanna go where everybody sells cocaine, the bitches selling coke
And the bitches don't be dames, them bitches smoking dope
I wanna go where you can smoke for free (hey!), and niggas get drunk and insane
I wanna go where everybody sells cocaine
Everybody everybody selling coke boy
Everybody everybody selling coke boy

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes The Dayton Family wants go where everybody sells cocaine. And the bitches don't be dames. A place where the bitches are selling coke and smoking dope They want go where you can smoke for free. To a place where niggas get drunk and insane.

Bootleg discusses how The Dayton Family got into the drug business and how they were introduced to the drug called cocaine. The Dayton Family was broke along with everybody growing up in Flint, Michigan during that time. The Dayton Family was broke until they got introduced to a drug known as cocaine. They bought some jewelry and some Jordans. Murder on the mind 24/7.

The Dayton Family started off on the block selling rocks and dodging cops. Dayton Ave. was the spot. Bootleg was a young killer with the glock. The Dayton Family lived and died by the words that they spoke. So they knew not to speak if police caught The Dayton Family selling dope. Bootleg’s connect was plugged as he had assortments of drugs. He started Bootleg off with a ki. He flipped that brick back. They ran numbers out his club.

Bootleg was a millionaire in the making by the age of 21. He was about to buy his sister a salon and buy his mother a house. He was also about to buy his brothers new whips and move them both deep in the South. But the feds were at his door with charges of distribution of an illegal substance. And now you know why.

Bootleg discusses how The Dayton Family got into the drug business and how they were introduced to the drug called cocaine in his verse with these lyrics

[Bootleg]
Everybody everybody growing up we was broke until we got introduced to the coke bought some jewelery and some Jordans boy that was all she wrote
We started off on the block selling rocks dodging cops
A young killer with the clock and Dayton Ave. was the spot
And we lived and we died by the words that we spoke
So we knew not to speak if they caught us selling dope
My connect he was plugged had assortments of drugs
And the ..., they shot boy, they ran numbers out his club
He started me off with a key, bring me back to 18,300
And if you cook and it don't come back i give that shit to you free
I flip that brick money back I'm enjoying my run
A millionaire in the making by the age of 21
About to buy my sister a salon
Buy my mama a house, buy my brothers new whips and move them both deep in the south
But the feds were at my door with distribution of blow
And now you know why...

Shoestring wants to be and live life in the fast lane in this motherfucking dope game in the hood with no motherfucking coppers. Smoking that weed with his people.

Backstabber and Philly Cocaine dope were in the dope game. Ruby and Professor brought Backstabber and Philly Cocaine to talk the dope game. Sink clogged up niggas waiting on the drain. Kush got them paranoid. Shoveling 10 inches of snow on the sidewalk. The mafia is black and Big Meech is the president.


The title track Psycho is an energetic horrorcore rap song. The Dayton Family killed the song with their interpretive lyrics. Notice how Verse 1 has good energy. Good to work out and exercise to. The title track Psycho should have been a single as well.

5/5*****!

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Kalya Ramu - The Duo album review

The Duo album is a hot swing jazz album of all original material written, partially produced, and performed by Kalya Ramu. Kalya Ramu on vocals and Ewen Farncombe on piano. You can feel that vibe and sound of traditional swing jazz music from her vocals and the instrumentation on this album which is similar to that 1940s jazz. This album is truly an overshadowed classic.


Laugh It Off is about Kalya wondering about where her choices would take her and how she came to see that songs can joy last an eternity. So she’ll just laughs it off and carry on with what she loves. The song explored and explained the hardships of being a singer-songwriter. Laugh It Off was the swing jazz answer to Taylor Swift - Shake It Off.

When Kalya was young, the world was big. She let her choices take her where they would. And finally, she looked up and found that she was writing songs. People had warned her this life is hard. The life of being a singer-songwriter is hard. They said the chance Kalya would make it big and be successful was small. But she just laughs it off. Though they mean well.

If she had led a different kind of life, she knows my heart would want something more for not much can replace the rush of singing aloud and making a crowd believe in a moment. In her short life, Kalya has come to see that songs can make joy last eternally. So she’ll just laughs it off and carry on with what she loves.
    
    
That Swingin' Rhythm brought out that 1940s swing jazz sound and style with an upbeat swingin’ swing rhythm. Kalya explains how the groove of jazz that tickles her side lifts her up so high. She explains why she needs that swingin’ rhythm.

Not only does Kalya stay strictly true and original to the jazz roots, Kalya paid homage to the subgenres of jazz such as big band and gypsy jazz in these lyrics. “That big band sound turns me around/The gypsy style brings me a smile/Oh how that swing taught me to sing/And it makes my life worthwhile/How that music gets me high”

Well it must be a groove that tickles her side and lifts her up so high. It must be that good ol’ jumpin’ ride. She needs that swingin’ rhythm. That sound is grand if you understand. Kalya would not just stand by. You couldn’t keep her off her feet when she hears that swingin’ rhythm.

When the blues get too strong and the days get so long. Kalya needs that music nice and loud. And keep that rhythm swingin’ proud. It lifts her spirits and fills the room. She is feeling so alive.

That big band sound turns her around. The gypsy style brings her a smile. That swing taught her to sing. Those subgenres of jazz make her life worthwhile. How that music gets her high and brings tears to her eyes. Her hips are swayin’ side to side. Her lungs holler high-dee-high. It brings the people out tonight. She needs that swingin’ rhythm.
    

Kalya sings about how she is truly in love on the song appropriately titled In Love.
    
Kalya is truly in love. Before she didn’t really understand the meaning of love. This feeling isn’t clear until a man draws her near. She couldn’t help but think that she is in love. The feeling of holding his hand has got her feeling grand.

These simple words can’t emanate the warmth she has within. Why should she complicate the situation? Throw in all the adjectives she knows? She’d rather use the short and sweet to tell her man three words he’ll understand. A sentence strictly made to show affection that is grand. You shouldn’t hesitate unless it’s your first date.
    
    
The Things I Do is a song which discussed the things Kalya wants her man to do such as pick up his socks and line up their shoes.

Kalya wants her man to pick up his socks, fold all his laundry up, and line up their shoes. Kalya likes to do the things she does. The things Kalya does she does for him through thick and thin. She feeds him frozen cherries without the pits. Gives him all her kisses until she is blue in the lips.

Kalya brightens up when he calls her name. Her cheeks turn pink on cue. It helps that he’s a dreamy guy too. He gets Kalya ice cold water in a glass for two. He never misses a show of her. He is always so true to Kalya. So she can love him like she do because she knows he loves her too. He is kind and understanding. He wouldn’t deceive. He’s a perfect gentleman that you wouldn’t believe exists.


Comfort explained the difficulty Kalya had getting out of bed due to the comfort of her pillow.

Kalya can’t get out of bed because this pillow has got her head unwilling to set her free. As long as this pillow is soft, she will lay in comfort. So warm and cozy is she. This high thread count bedding is simply divine. This duvet insists that she stays. Kalya is hazy and lazy in comfort. The day turns to evening and she is still in bed. Perhaps she will stay here until she is dead. A life for her in comfort.

5/5*****!

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Kalya Ramu - Living in a Dream album review

Living in a Dream is a hot swing jazz album of all original material written, partially produced, and performed by Toronto based jazz vocalist Kalya Ramu over a warm grand piano. You can feel that vibe and sound of traditional swing jazz music from her vocals and the instrumentation on this album which is similar to that 1940s jazz. This album is truly an overshadowed classic.


Find in Me explained how Kalya will not love again due to beliefs from her own reform because she needed time alone. All because couldn’t find charms in any other arms.

Kalya will not love again based on her own volition due to beliefs from her own reform because she needed time alone. She found the one place to be is right where she is at which is at home.

She said she needed time alone. So Kalya took her time to be alone. All because couldn’t find these charms in any other arms. She knew she needed time alone based on her own reform. At a place called home. Inside she proudly finds a way to plainly see what she could find in herself. The autumn love that’s clinged to her will never bite the boot. Although the sky turned cold and breezes followed suit.


She Drinks Alone was a smooth slow tempo jazz song accompanied by a piano that follows her soothing subtle vocals. This song is about a lady sits and drinks alone without a care in the world. She drinks alone. She does not want to be bothered. This song is for the ladies who want to be alone when they are drinking wine. Ladies, who needs a loving man when you’re your biggest fan?
    
The pearls that shine are so divine as they glimmer there around the neck of some beautiful dame. Her eyes so kind. She’s debonair with pearls that shine and sparkling wine. Her lips are perched on a glass of wine. She sits and drinks alone without a care. And then a stranger passing by says, “Good morning.” She sure won’t remember him again.

There be no need to share a plate of fries since she drinks cocktails alone. She lets the trio play their tune while she’s celebrating June. No need to stare in someone’s eyes since she drinks alone. There is no need for sweaty diner booths. No time for titillating truths. Who needs a loving man when you’re your biggest fan?

Keep out of her way. She’s not up for a chatty day. She’d like a quiet evening for herself. Don’t try a pick up line. She doesn’t want a valentine. But you might find her drink on your bill when she’s done. Who said a woman isn’t proud she drinks alone? She really doesn’t like a crowd. And every night till three o’clock (3 AM),  this lady stumbles home around the block. You know the woman drinks alone. She sits alone and keeps to herself.


Tea for Two is about Kalya wanting to have tea for two with her man that is her lover.

Kalya discontented with homes that are rented. So she has invented her own place that is a lover’s oasisWhere life’s weary chase is unknown. Far from the cry of the city. Where flowers pretty caress the streams. Cozy to hide in. To live side by side in. She pictures herself having tea for two with her man that is her lover. No friends or relations on weekend vacations

5/5*****!

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Mateo & Matos - Selective Styles Sampler single review

Mateo & Matos - Selective Styles Sampler is one of the more disco oriented releases from Mateo & Matos yet they still incorporated the sounds of house music on this single. All of these songs are upbeat house songs perfect for the dance floor or lounge. This is yet another overshadowed single to have been released from the genre of electronic music.

The Voyage is the opener for Selective Styles and uses beats filled such intensity. The bongos are added into those intense beats you hear on this song. The set Mateo & Matos uses is hot and intense. Now that vocal sample give The Voyage a disco flavor.

So Let It "Shine On" uses a small handful of samples, chords, and disco synths. Disco meets house on this song hence the fast uptempo beats and intensity. So Let It "Shine On" uses the same structure as these songs.: Brass Construction - Happy People, Cheek ‎– Venus (Sunshine People), and DJ Space And Moore - Soultrap People. That is no coincidence as So Let It "Shine On" samples Brass Construction - Happy People.

4/5****

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Anthony Sutton - Heaven's Town album review

Heaven's Town by Anthony Sutton is an Americana style mixture of folk jazz, ragtime, Piedmont blues, and country blues. For example, song such as Alabama Bound and Dina are a reflection of Piedmont blues with fingerpicking good guitar chord styles. Those chord structures and melodic passages are remarkable. You can tell there is chord progression used in the chord structures.


Waiting For A Train is an Americana Piedmont blues based song with a country twist. Blues meets country on this song. The song was about how no one wanted to lend Anthony a helping hand when he was down on his luck.

Anthony is all around this water tank waiting for a train. He is one thousand miles away from sleeping out in the rain. He walked up to a brakeman and gave give him a line of talk. He said, “If you got money, son, I'll see that you don't walk.” However Anthony did not have any money. The brakeman said, “Get off, you old railroad bum.
And he slammed the boxcar door.

He dropped Anthony off in Texas. A state he dearly loves with the wide open spaces all around him. Nobody seems to want Anthony or to lend him a helping hand. His pocket book is empty. His heart is full of pain. One thousand miles away from home waiting for a train.


Cottoncandy Girl explained how Anthony had a sweet tooth for cotton candy.
    
You've heard about the Candyman. He'll stick a stick of candy in your hand. But Anthony don't want no peppermint swirls. He’s gonna see the Cottoncandy Girl.

She's down in the shooting gallery shooting down the tin cans. And if you get all five, she'll give you the cotton candy prize. Blue and pink in a good size round. The sweetest thing in this town. Light and free with an easy sway. Anthony has got a sweet tooth for that cotton candy.

5/5*****!