Depart From Me... - Cage

Depart From Me... by Cage (2009)

the cover image gives you a really good idea of how depressing this album is. mostly not anything i'd care to listen to more than once.  As a general rule: I want no singing from my rappers. The production is really moody & synth-y with lots of bass.  I could maybe get behind an instrumentals release.

Least Favorite: "Kick Rocks" "Captain Bumout"

Favorite: "I Lost It In Havertown"

Born Like This - M.F. Doom

Born Like This - M.F. Doom (2009)

Favorite: "Yessir!" ft. Raekwon - then again, rhyming over ESG's "U.F.O." beat isn't really fair.  Everyone sounds good over it.
"Cellz" really finds Doom at his best with his signature clever wordplay and comic-book inspired beats.

The Music Scene - Blockhead

The Music Scene by Blockhead (2009)

Brand new album by Blockhead... went to see him and DJ Signify last night. They killed it! I was very excited to see them since it had been 2 years, since they toured with Aesop Rock.

Blockhead with Rob Sonic
outside of Studio A, Miami,FL
November, 2007

The album is solid, as I've come to expect from Blockhead. Never stagnant, lots of development and growth within each track, and of course, the great vocal samples.

Favorite: "Daily Routine" "Tricky Turtle" "Which One Of You Jerks Drank My Arnold Palmer"

the album's available exclusively online right now & will be available for physical purchase on January 12.

Mechanical Royalty - Babbletron

Mechanical Royalty by Babbletron (2003)

though these guys spend a lot of time being quiet and introspective on this album, my favorite songs are the more up tempo and braggadocios ones.

Favorite: "Birds" "Space Tech Banana Clip" (prod. by MF Doom) "Chop!!!"



"Chop!!!"

D.I.T.C.

D.I.T.C. - D.I.T.C. (2000)

This album takes me back to the first few years I spent in NYC. The whole vibe of it really reminds me of the late '90s East Coast.

R.I.P. Big L & Big Pun (I know he wasn't a member of D.I.T.C. but he's featured on "Drop It Heavy" along with KRS One)

Favorite: "Day One"



"Day One"

People's Instinctive Travels...

People's Instinctive Travels and The Paths of Rhythm - A Tribe Called Quest (1990)

Instantly takes me back to the 6th grade when "Bonita Applebum" was a radio single. A classic album, even if it is a bit uneven compared to their 2nd & 3rd releases.

Least Favorite: "Pubic Enemy" I never liked this song.
Favorites: "Can I Kick It?" "Luck of Lucien" (btw, snails are delicious)

"Luck Of Lucien"



"Can I Kick It?"

Real Talk - Fabolous

Real Talk by Fabolous (2004)


Least Favorite: "Tit 4 Tat" ft. Pharell - "tit-tat" female vocal sample running through entire song wears on the nerves. and the beat sounds like something Pharell had sitting in his studio and just decided to give Fab instead of throwing it out. definitely recognizable as a Neptunes beat featuring their signature keyboards (almost interchangable with "Nothin'" by N.O.R.E.) but not one of their best.
"Can You Hear Me?" opening bar tribute to 2pac notwithstanding, not a very inspired song. female vocals on the hook make it that much worse.
"Holla At Somebody Real" ft. Lil Mo He rhymes "sake" with "broccoli" and there are vocals by Lil Mo to the tune of "Sukiyaki", nuf said.

Favorite: "Gangsta" & "Breathe"
Fab's really at his best on his own, without guest artists to detract from his lyrics.