BICASSO - THE MANY FACES OF
Intro
[1:29]1.8 Mb
Hit it and Quit it
[3:16]4.4 Mb
Whats Cool
[3:42]4.9 Mb
Royalty
[3:32]4.4 Mb
Fantasy
[3:35]4.7 Mb
Frieaks
[3:09]3.9 Mb
All of Me
[3:52]6 Mb
Damn (Do the Job)
[3:48]4.7 Mb
The Program
[3:08]3.5 Mb
Let's Begin
[4:07]5.8 Mb
Bicasso "The Many Faces of" Album Review
Tighter than a new pair of Adidas (4.5 Stars)
I got a few albums by Bicasso that were only released on tape back in the mid to late 90s. Back when the Living Legends were known for slangin' tapes, Bicasso had some of the dopest releases from the crew. He has always excelled with his innovative concepts and unique approach to making beats and writing lyrics. Sure, most of the tapes back then sounded just awful, since they were 4-track home recordings, but never lacked an ounce of soul or ambition.
Needless to say, Bicasso has come a long way in the past 10 years of making music, and "The Many Faces of..." is evidence of his most vast improvement to date. I always thought Bicasso had the best ear for beats in the LL Crew, and this is a fine example of how well Bicasso produces, engineers and structures his songs to perfection. The choruses and hooks are on point as usual, and his flow is getting better as the years drive on.
Although short (34 minutes), this limited edition spring 2005 EP will please all Bicasso & Living Legends fans. After the tail chasing intro, "Hit It & Quit It" drops in beautifully with some tight tone-crazed production. "What's Cool?" also remains a favorite with a very memorable chorus and hook. On "Royalty" Bicasso boasts a unique accent with his flow that sounds a bit British. It is apparent that his flow has improved over the course of the past few years. With a title like "The Many Faces of...", you should expect some different styles; and "Fantasy" adds more to the color of Bicasso's canvas of sound. "Dam* (Do the Job)" may be my favorite joint here, with some very unique beats and a nice personal set of lyrics.
Overall, if you are new to Bicasso, this actually serves as a fine intro to his work. Although I would recommend "Living Life Lookin' Out" as a first purchase, this album contains slightly tighter rapping, and perhaps a better engineering value than it's predecessors. It's nice to see Bicasso maturing so well with yet another quality release. LEGENDS BABY!
CROP CIRCLES 720 - ORGANIZED SUICIDE
Welcome intro
[2:38]2.6 Mb
Fatal Format
[3:48]3.8 Mb
Moodswings featuring Oddeo (of Sea Side Productions)
[4:50]4.8 Mb
Hourglass
[4:23]4.3 Mb
Somber Keys
[0:41]0.6 Mb
Architectural Spheres
[3:49]3.8 Mb
Frustration Follows Insight featuring Oddeo
[4:03]4.1 Mb
The Bozo Theory- Stars of the Dragon
[8:49]9.1 Mb
Channel Surfing featuring Oddeo
[4:26]4.3 Mb
Bird Shit featuring Tony Bird Partida
[3:44]3.9 Mb
Circular Indentations
[1:46]1.7 Mb
Bacteria Culture
[3:46]3.8 Mb
Smoke Signals
[3:26]3.5 Mb
Underneath the Given Tree
[3:46]3.9 Mb
Subtrack
[2:16]2.3 Mb
Muddy Dreams
[3:26]3.7 Mb
Fact Finding Missions
[3:56]4.1 Mb
Transition
[1:05]1 Mb
Reality with Cue Cards featuring Oddeo
[4:03]4 Mb
Human Error
[4:05]4.2 Mb
Crop Circles 720 "Organized Suicide" Album Review
Crop Circles 720 is hip-hop at its true form.
This CD was given to me by a friend who produces some of the beats for CC. He has been ranting on and on about how good they are so when I received it, I was pretty interested to hear how they sounded. I was quite amazed the first time I heard it. The lyrics are intellectual and meaningful, which REAL hip-hop is about. The beats are typical underground style, since the underground scene is mainly evolved around LYRICS not BEATS even though some of the beats on this album are something that you would enjoy flowing over. I would recommend this album to anyone who likes REAL Hip-Hop at it's true form, not that fake crap that they play on the radio.
THE PERCEPTIONISTS - BLACK DIALOGUE
Let's Move
[2:59]3.8 Mb
People 4 Prez
[2:20]2.9 Mb
Blo
[3:21]4.8 Mb
Memorial Day
[3:33]4.5 Mb
Love Letters
[4:11]5.2 Mb
Black Dialogue
[3:05]4.2 Mb
Frame Rupture
[3:21]3.9 Mb
What Have We Got to Lose
[2:46]3.7 Mb
Party Hard (featuring Guru and Camutao)
[3:50]4.6 Mb
Career Finders (featuring Humpty Hump and Shock G)
[3:45]5.1 Mb
5 o'clock (featuring Phonte of Little Brother)
[4:05]4.9 Mb
Breathe in the Sun
[3:58]5.6 Mb
The Perceptionists "Black Dialogue" Album Review
Their Perception is Our Reality
Let me be the first to admit I know next to nothing about hip-hop. That being said, I know gold when I hear it, and Boston-based hip-hop group The Perceptionists is it. Their 2005 disc, Black Dialogue, has all the makings of a star disc: the break beats, smooth rap, dope lyrics and righteous rhythms. The disc flows naturally from one track to the next, and even got my scrawny white butt grooving. In fact, the grooves are so good, my whole body started moving.
The Perceptionists is a trio made up of Mr. Lif, Akrobatik and DJ Fakts One. The trio have been working together as far back as 1997, with DJ Fakts One doing the cuts for Lif's single "Electro," and Lif lending vocals to Akrobatik's 1998 b-side "Fat S-t." In fact, the liner notes of Lif's 2000 song "Avenger" read: "Akrobatik and Mr. Lif combine to form The Perceptionists." But it took until 2005 to come up with their debut, Black Dialogue, released on New York label Definitive Jux.
Although all three rappers had solo careers, releasing albums with Definitive Jux and Coup D'Etat labels, they blend seamlessly into a tight group. Definitive Jux's Web site describes them as "three brothers from other mothers," hailing their close working relationship: "[The Perceptionists] have been to different continents together, blown up each other's cell phones to get to airports on time, shared bad fast food meals at truck stops. Truth be told: road warriors have bonds that are stronger than studio associates will ever know about."
The album is totally real, without an ounce of pretense. Two tracks that stand out are "Black Dialogue" and a righteous rant against our current president, George W. Bush, and the lack of weapons of mass destruction is Iraq, "Memorial Day."
The title track is a scorching diatribe against selling out, a shout-out to African-American cultural leaders of the past and present, and a hymn to the power of hip-hop culture: "Yo, Martin and Malcolm knew it / Black dialogue / Grandma Moses drew it / Black dialogue / Stevie Wonder seen it / Black dialogue / Many games to steam with / Black dialogue / Chuck D took a stand for / Black dialogue ... The whole world is after / Black dialogue." "Memorial Day" takes the position of supporting American troops, but cussing out leaders, mostly white ones, who sent them to die for a lie.
Rounding out the album, "Love Letters" and "Breathe In The Sun" are two soulful and plaintive love songs, told with a hip-hop sensibility. With this black dialogue, The Perceptionists have created a set of songs that leave listeners with something new to think about on every listen. Whether they're tackling institutional racism, sociopolitical issues, or just shooting it about love and life in some Jamaica Plain living room, each track is a massively mind-bending groove. Sometimes they're angry. Sometimes they're heartsick and soulful. Sometimes they're comedic. But each time they spit out the good stuff. The Perceptionists are an auditory wonder.
Video The Perceptionists- Black Dialogue (live)
Perceptionists live. Akrobatik and Mr. Lif burn on the mic while DJ fakts one rotates the steel wheels. Think you know black culture? think again
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