New OkayArtist

The Abstract

Q-Tip

 Modern hip-hop and R&B music can both arguably be divided into pre- and post-A Tribe Called Quest, and the musical efforts of its lead MC and producer Kamaal Ibn John Fareed-better known to the world as Q-Tip. Consider the jazzy sampling, laid-back tempos and boho-chic vibe he introduced, then mull over the bohemian posturing and sounds of the neo-soul movement, plus any rap music that shies away from hardcore posturing. All roads lead back to ATCQ and the beats, rhymes and life of one man: Q-Tip. And now the time is ripe for The Renaissance, the Abstract MC's first solo album in nine years. Read more...

latest reviews.

Eric Benet

Love & Life
(Reprise : 2008)
89B+

Various Artists

Zang Tumb Tuum: The ZTT Box Set
(ZTT/Salvo : 2008)
89B+

Illa J

Yancey Boys
(Delicious Vinyl : 2008)
77C

The Flaming Lips

Christmas On Mars
(Warner Bros. : 2008)
75C

Restiform Bodies

TV Loves You Back
(Anticon : 2008)
73C

Various Artists

The Roots Of Hip Hop
(Harte Recordings : 2008)
84B

reviews.

latest.

 

People Under The Stairs
Fun DMC
(Gold Dust Media : 2008)
88B
Posted on 10/07/2008
Having just released a retrospective anthology via July’s The Om Years, it’s pleasantly surprising to see that People Under the Stairs wasted little time before putting out an album proper. A new label has done little to curb the conceptual trend of recent releases such as Stepfather and Thes One’s Lifestyle Marketing, but the theme of Fun DMC is based more in a vibe and a feeling than in...
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Hits: 1919
 
 

Heltah Skeltah
D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team)
(Duck Down : 2008)
77C
Posted on 10/07/2008
In the discussion of great Hip-Hop duos, Duck Down's Heltah Skeltah are often times overlooked, an odd occurrence seeing as how their crew, Boot Camp Clik, helped usher in the so-called East Coast Renaissance of the early '90s, not to mention their debut, Nocturnal, being highly regarded and containing one of the greatest posse cuts ever with "Lefleur Leflah Eshkoshka." Nevertheless, Sean Price has resurrected his "Ruck" alias and reunited...
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Hits: 1405
 
 

Jake One
White Van Music
(Rhymesayers : 2008)
75C
Posted on 10/07/2008
The balance between mainstream and underground Hip-Hop prevalent in the '80s to mid-'90s has all but lost its indelibility in the first decade of the new millennium. Mainstream attention has become celestial in nature and the underground scene is virtually subterranean. Seattle producer Jake One, who has straddled the proverbial fence between the known and unknown entities of the rap game for the majority of his career, makes a valiant...
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Hits: 1666
 
 

Pnuma Trio
Character
(1320 Records : 2008)
88B
Posted on 10/07/2008
I’d like to believe that electronic music is evolving. But usually, when I hear it, it either sounds like something I’ve heard a million times already, or it’s so bass heavy and droning, that after two minutes of “boom-boom-boom,” I’m annoyed to death. But the Pnuma Trio have definitely figured out a way to merge the booming bottom, with harmonic grooves, creating a seamless sound that even non-electronic heads...
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Hits: 919
 
 

Various Artists
Eccentric Soul: The Young Disciples
(The Numero Group : 2008)
87B
Posted on 10/07/2008
If you want to know the true power of soul, to discover how far the music traveled from the radio to the record player to the inner city and beyond, pick up Eccentric Soul: The Young Disciples The CD is a new installment in The Numero Group's series of compilations exploring the different soul and funk scenes of various American cities from the late 60's and...
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Hits: 629
 
 

The Real Live Show
Live At NuBlu
(NuBlu : 2008)
72C
Posted on 10/07/2008
Look, this mixtape is absolutely nonessential to your collection, but that’s okay, so keep reading. With only two studio tracks, this release is basically just a highlight reel of this nine man hip-hop band’s live performances at Nublu Thursday Nights (in Manhattan). Regardless of how dope some of these live cuts are, repeated listens are likely to be reserved for strict diehards. Repeated listens, however, may not be the intent;...
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Hits: 329
 
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