Posted on 07/03/2008
Barely clocking in at twenty minutes, Jahi’s appropriately titled Less Is More EP is a concise showcase for a talented and passionate MC, as well as for the breadth of ground that hip-hop can cover in the hands of the a true artist.

Having rocked shows with an eclectic list of legends ranging from Public Enemy to Jay-Z to Chuck Brown, Jahi ‘s sound cannot be easily pigeonholed. “The Right Way,” with it’s use of multiple synthesizers and a slightly processed hook is equal parts 1985 and 2085 in its vibe, while “Every Word” somehow manages to make an over used Lenny Williams sample sound fresh, as Jahi spits uplifting rhymes in a deliberate, conversational flow over the soulful track. The spirit of ’88 is channeled over a driving, old school style track on “What Can We Do,” the rare call to arms cut that offers answers as opposed to simply listing problems. “We can take better care of our kids, that’s me included/Break the chain of slavery days that’s well rooted/We can buy a TV station, do more than BET/And stop being ignorant, learn our history.” Perhaps best of all, at least for the summer season, is the breezy and buoyant “Explore,” where Jahi and Gift of Gab trade inspiriting verses over hypnotic keys and percolating bass.

The tightrope an artist walks with a project this brief is that even slight missteps become magnified. A couple of the songs feel incomplete, ending with abrupt and awkward fades well before the three minute mark. It could be said that the album itself ends in a similar fashion, with the rather nondescript “This Side” strangely closing out a record with a number of memorable songs.

Still, Less Is More is an enjoyable listen that features quality MCing throughout, and stays true to the essence of hip-hop, while daring to embrace its sonic and conceptual diversity.

- Jeff Harvey