@TravMoody
With the recent outburst of popular geek culture influenced hip-hop (Catch the Throne mixtapes, Marshall vs. Capcom), it only made sense for the Monsignor to tackle Rick Rubin‘s latest endeavor: Star Wars Headspace. It’s the closest thing we’ll ever get to an original intergalactic John Williams soundtrack — only in the form of electronic ambience.
What separates Headspace from those previous music-meets-nerd-culture mash-ups is the surprising originality of it all. Where the recently released Eminem x Street Fighter (no recognizable soundbites incorporated, such as “Hadouken”) and Game of Thrones influenced mixtapes failed (mainstream hip-hop acts that stray far too away from the TV series’ vibe) — the Def Jam co-founder and legendary music producer delivers an EDM mixtape with all original backdrops and plentiful movie samples. Here, Rubin uses Star Wars more as a mere inspiration for the music than cheap gimmick, with just enough recognizable sounds (Vader’s breathing in GTA‘s “Help Me!”) and classic film quotes (Obi-Wan on Attlas‘ “Sunset Over Manaan”) to keep the more casual music fan interested.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Headspace, however, comes from tracks that wouldn’t sound too out of place in the respective artists’ discography. Progressive house duo Galantis‘ “Scruffy-Looking Nerfherder” uses Chewie’s famous growl to affect without making it too obvious; while Shlohmo‘s “”Druid Caravan of Smoke” and Flying Lotus‘ “R2 Where R U?” incorporate the type of robotic beeps, chirps and whistle effects these experimental producers use in their sound anyway. Keeping with the times, Rubin enlists one of EDM’s biggest acts in Kaskade to open things up with “C-3P0’s Plight”, and blows out moms’ basement sound systems with the trap-bounce of Troyboi (“Force”) and Baauer (“Cantina Boys”).
As much of a fan I am of both Star Wars and EDM (hell, I went to both Star Wars Celebration and EDC last year), I never thought I’d admit an album combining the two elements would work. Better, Headspace opened up my mind to more artists I’d previously never heard (Claude VonStroke‘s “R2 Knows” recalls Deadmau5’s glory days, with direct lyrics about Han Solo shooting first; and Star Tripper‘s “Breakbot” sounds like a mix of the Williams’ classic SW theme and glorious 80s movie cheese). If you’re a fan of any form of electronic music and Star Wars, then — hey! — this might just be the geek mash-up you’re looking for. 3.5/5 Droid Bibles.
@silencedthewise
Man, I love when I say “Damn, this is bleeping dope as bleep!” Something I found myself saying many times during my listen/review time with Brick City-native Beneficence‘s latest LP, Basement Chemistry. To put it bluntly, this is an album that fans of “true” and “pure” hip-hop (i.e. late 90s/early 2000s) need to listen to. Trust me, that statement is a rarity these days.
After dropping a pair of albums (that I need to dig for) in Sidewalk Science (2011) and Concrete Soul (2012), the underground Jersey vet and Ill Adrenaline Records cofounder has returned with an album stacked with lyrics and beats reminiscent of hip-hop’s Golden Era. One of the most active and well-respected independent artists in the game, Beneficence has worked with the “who’s who” of NYC hip-hop (Poor Righteous Teachers’ Wise Intelligent, Pete Rock, Organized Konfusion, Lord Tariq, etc.) — a reason why so many true legends of the game stepped up to drop bars on this album (Chubb Rock, Inspectah Deck, Masta Ace, MC Eiht, El Da Sensei, A.G., and Dres). But where this NJ native really shines is when he holds the mic on his own, with lyrics laid out like a strategically-placed plan.
The opening “EZ As 1-2” should be enough to get any non-believer into his shit immediately, while the Confidence-produced “Wranglers and Asics” is a bang-in-your-whip gem that will 100% stand the test of time. The exotic drums and chiming backdrop of “Maui Vacation” and triumphant percussion of “Ghetto Music Rap (We Doin’ It)” gave me a lil’ bit of that long lost Eric B & Rakim/Premo/Artifacts (to which Bene is an affiliate) feel this game has sorely been missing.
And those are just the tracks without the features. While it’s still way too early to talk “Album of the Year”, there’s no doubt we’ll still be talking about the “Digital Warfare” and “Smooth Hardcore” of this joint next Christmas. Hell, with contributions from supreme beatmakers Da Beatminerz, DJ Spinna, and L’Orange, Basement Chemistry is one of the best Boom Bap throwback albums in the last 5-years. Buy it. 4.5/5 Bibles.
@TwinAdder
Collab albums are the norm in today’s hip-hop especially with the third Slaughterhouse emcee attempting to throw his hat into the fray. KXNG Crooked, the Long Beach wordsmith formerly known as Crooked I, hooks up with Boston boom-bapper Statik Selektah. As rivetting as the contrasting styles preent, there’s sadly not anything that sets this apart from the rest of the supergroups that are already out there. But–this is in no way a bad album; on the contrary, it’s likely one of the best projects to come this first 2016 quarter.
Here’s the deal: Statik, known chiefly for his smooth production, doesn’t exactly mesh well with Crooked’s aggressive performance. The chemistry feels forced. I’m not claiming that Statik KXNG is oil and water, but the album may prove an acquired taste to anyone who isn’t already a fan of either artist. But once the album (that clocks in at a brisk 34-minutes) does grow on you — beginning with “I Hear Voices,” which sets the tone quote profoundly — you have to spread praise that comes through with age…
Crooked’s smart, versatile verses are there, and Statik’s production feels very full — with LA-influenced instrumentals that stray away from his usual sound, such as the where-is-Snoop-D-O-Double-G led “Everybody Know”. “Magic & Bird” is a genius song title for those keeping score, a head knocker with a very glossy, sax-driven sound. The gloves come off on “Lost A Fan”, as the KXNG pushes ignorance to the side with thought-provoking lyrics. Other chill stand-outs include “Dead Or In Jail” and “Bitch Got Me Fucked Up”, further proving that Statik KXNG will go down as one of 2016’s most enjoyable distractions. 3.5/5 KXNG James Bibles.
@ShawnPuffy
Being new to the Trip-Hop genre, I’ve never heard of Massive Attack. That said, Ritual Spirit was my first experience on a tantric ride through curiousity and`– what I’m assuming — is just a small sample of the vast range of styles that new fans can look forward to on their follow-up EP and full-length album, both due out later in 2016.
The EP leads in with” Dead Editors”, a trance-like track with a neo-soul feel. It can be best described as the perfect example of how what seems to be, organized chaos, can create something incredible that puts you in another world. I can’t help but find myself moving to the beat. The second, and title track, “Ritual Spirit” was easily my favorite track. Azekel adds smooth vocals that deliver a soft comfort to an intense tribal beat; it takes on a consciousness of being on a journey with your spirit guide to who knows where.
Moreover, “Voodoo In My Blood” features a magical jungle ambience, but adds an uptempo horror that takes you on a darker ride. The high energy keeps you almost entranced in the hypnotic flow created by the dynamic sounds. The final track brings on Tricky, marking the first time the Trip-hop legend has joined Massive Attack since 1994. “Take It There” will give you the sensation of a psychadelic trip that takes you to the edge of sanity. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Ritual Spirit, an EP that both new and old fans of Massive Attack and the genre will find a short, but energized tantric tunnel of soul. 3.5/5 Bibles.
@thepattawontron
Hurry and take the popcorn out of the microwave before it burns. I hate burnt popcorn! Go ahead get your vice ready. Don’t tell me what it is; that is your business. I’m putting in this movie. What type of movie? Action! Of course! The Carrollton Heist, starring Curren$y and The Alchemist, has got that feel like a blend of an old Prohibition-era Gangster movie mixed with 70s Blaxploitation, channel surfing through 80s primetime. Al’ truly starts his “spells” with the intro named “Theif”, which sends off the chills of a theme to an old cop show as the movie sample he blends in reveals the plan and stipulations of the heist. The next track “Black Rally Stripes” makes way for Curren$y’s alter-ego Spitta Andretti into the plot, with a laid back flow that nonchalantly gels with the uber-chill soundscapes. “Vibrations” is also one of my favorite tracks on this project, as Curren$y spits a homage to Juvenile’s “U Understand” to lay down law to people on his property.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQF2iHimOPc
The Carrollton Heist also features a few dope cameos that totally fit the vibe and story concept. “Dissappearing Ink” has a eerie-but-chill vibe, like your scoping out your target with nightvision goggles–certainly serious enough for Styles P of the LOX. Action Bronson, who always fits Al’s production like a glove, laces “Inspiration” with precise storytelling. Even Lil’ Weezy’s animated cadence blesses “Fat Albert” with lines like “pussies get the dildo / I get the deal done.” All and all, Curren$y’s chill flows push the story along with a voice that matches The Alchemist’s gritty settings, as if you were playing poker with mob bosses on a foggy — ever-so-smokey — night. 4.25/5 Blunted Bibles.