Passports
March 25, 2009
The Spin: Javs – Passports
Released n/a
2009 n/a
[rate 4.5]
Javs is a little-known up-and-coming producer/rapper based out of Southern California and Australia. It’s like he can’t make up his mind about anything. But we thank him for that, as, for some reason or another, it all results in rather dope musical recordings. In a time that sees hip-hop transitioning seemingly toward more electro sounds and party lyrics, Javs provides well-arranged soul samples and lethal drum patterns as his backdrop for socially conscious content.
The album begins with an intro laced with sped-up vocal samples, a more prominent production style on the east coast, but effective here, nonetheless. His vocals chime in, as he tells us of the struggles it took to get him to where he’s at now.
Javs’ voice cuts through the track on “Storm Riders,” thanks to the caliber of delivery that one expects to find when listening to classic hip-hop artists. Routinely on this record, he manages to captivate so much more than the guest artists here. Risky as taking such a classic sample as “Riders on the Storm,” Javs manages more than just doing the sample justice.
“Break It Loose” ticks up the tempo and the energy. While it’s nothing like the hyphy music going on north of Javs’ territory, there’s certainly something here for everyone. Javs shows off some pan-Pacific swag, like, “Doubters just became believers/ Forgive me if these tracks cause fatal seizures/ I’m on the ball, yall watch from the bleachers.”
Javs brings out his inner Blueprint-Kanye for “The World,” while providing his own sensibility. While the beat will certainly leave other producers with 808′s and heartbreak, Kanye’s lyrics pale in comparison. Javs’ ability to change up his flow throughout every verse is impressive, and it’s exemplified here.
Overall, the album has its moments where the lack of professional mastering is noticeable, but the same is true of a great segment of the mixtapes put out by major artists, so considering that this album was done almost entirely by Javs, it’s extremely impressive. It hardly even seems necessary to point out that this album is quite a lot better than many a mixtape, some of which I’ve reviewed right here. 
I give the album four and a quarter stars out of five.
West Indian Future Sounds
March 18, 2009
The Spin: The West Indies – Scratch the Surface
Released February 29, 2009
2009 Western Independent
[rate 4]
My best guess is that this resembles the future of hip-hop. At least, this is what it’ll be like for those that are still interested in hearing hip-hop that adheres to some semblance of the formula requiring some “digging in the crates.” There’s a movement of sorts from the underground of hip-hop. Let’s correct that, I see hip-hop going in three directions right now. The hip-hop on the radio combines a lot of digital drums, mostly resembling 808′s, synths normally to this point associated with electronic instrumental music, and Southern rappers with a fairly simple delivery and mostly pretty simple lyrics. There’s the hipster movement, which seems to be generally combining electro sounds at a faster tempo than conventional hip-hop with party lyrics and throwback lyrics. Then, there’s this. Sa-Ra Creative Partners, J Dilla, Black Milk, Platinum Pied Pipers, and to some degree, The West Indies, among other others, seem to be etching out a formula of combining soulful sounds and mostly electronic synths, with more sophisticated lyricism to achieve this new sound. While the former two formulas appeal to a broader, perhaps less hip-hop savvy and less sophisticated audience, the latter appeals to the hip-hop head that does still enjoy his or her soulful cuts coupled with lyrics that are, on some level or another, more challenging, while keeping it interesting and fresh.
Image courtesy of www.accesshiphop.com
“Advice for Men” and “Advice for Women” are fun, interesting tracks that show off ADAMNT’s scratches, and the group’s sense of humor and interesting musical tastes. They almost seem a little reminiscent of something Prince Paul would get involved in. How’s that for a positive comparison? ;D
Five Albums That Changed My Life
March 4, 2009
A couple of my friends did this on Facebook, so I’m gonna put a twist and explain why they changed my life, and put them in chronologically, in terms of when they changed my life. Of course, I’m not claiming that these are my favorite albums, only that because of where I was in my life when I discovered (or re-discovered, in one case) them, they each had a profound effect on me.
1. Bad by Michael Jackson 1987 Michael Jackson was my first hero, and this was the first album that came out where I was old enough to be aware of its impact, and know all the lyrics (and dance moves).
2. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill 1998 This album was one of the earliest albums that I bought, mostly because I never had money before this time, and my parents wouldn’t let me get the music I wanted to get. This album was, and still is, in my opinion, genius. Lyrically and vocally, Lauryn Hill’s absence from anything more than intermittent recording still leaves a hole, such that at every rumor of her reemergence, I get excitedly hopeful.
3. Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder 1976 Stevie Wonder broke the ice for so much great R&B music in the 1970′s. So much of his work sounds as fresh today as it did back then, and he continues to be a great influence in music. When I was in college, after hearing some of my parents’ old Stevie Wonder tracks, I became interested in hearing more of his stuff. This was the first album of his that I bought, and the beginning of his classic period.
4. Black on Both Sides by Mos Def 1999 This album was the first album that made me interested in hip-hop lyrics. If you’ve not heard it, Mos’ blend of witty lyricism, confident but extremely humanistic delivery, and populist message over diverse musical textures is an instant classic.
5. Electric Circus by Common 2002 I bought this album as soon as it came out, off the strength of Like Water For Chocolate and the recommendation of a good friend. While I liked the album back then, I didn’t appreciate all the musical genius that the album is until several years later. The album is chock full of amazingly creative musical styling from all the various Soulquarians that made neo-soul so great in its short popularity. Where Black on Both Sides may be my favorite album, lyrically, this album inspires me, musically. Note: This is possibly Common’s least-popular album of all time, but I think it’s really, really, really musically genius.
Anyone else wanna play? What were the five albums that changed your life and why?
