Audible Treats Music Reviews by Icering

 

Ise Lyfe - Prince Cometh

The album is pretty cool and well done.  The production is solid and I can listen to the lyrics with ease.  Ise Lyfe made this an easy and smooth review for me.  My only gripe is that there are too many tracks on the album.  Ise has 21 tracks with 7 or 8 tracks serving as "filler."  In my opinion, too many filler tracks dramatically decreases an album's replay value.   All-in-all I give this album a "thumbs up."

8/10

Tag:  Here is another artist to add to the  black youth rescue market.   Working a few brain cells that would normally never get used in the mainstream market or commercial appeal.

 

J DaVey - The Beauty In Distortion/ The Land of The Lost EP

I have no idea what market this music is after, the music itself is very strange and confusing, I had a hard time grasping the purpose of a lot of these songs.  I would say the group needs a bit more polishing at least for my tastes.

The mixing on the album wasn't the greatest either.  At times the vocals were hard to understand because she gets drowned out by the beat.  The EP's are too random and don't have much structure.  I don't remember any words on the album nor do I remember any of the production.

The instrumental tracks can make good background music for transitions scenes.  This is a mix of different styles but nothing specific.  If you're very curious and open minded, this CD is worth a serious listen.  This is a very eclectic CD.

?/10

Tag:  "This is more of a "See for yourself'" kinda of albums, my review won't help.

 

K'naan - The Dusty Foot Philosopher

K'naan, an award-winning singer and musician, was born in Somalia, a country that has not had a functioning government since 1991. K'naan's family moved to Harlem after catching the last domestic flight out of Somalia and eventually settled in Ontario, Canada. Using his ability to blend Western and African influences, K'naan's music is a fusion of world music and hip-hop that borrows from the protest songs of Bob Marley, the hip-hop lyricism of Mos Def, and the storytelling traditions of Somalia. Despite the violence K'naan has experienced, his lyrics address the possibilities for positive change and peace. His album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher Deluxe Edition, will be released for the first time in the U.S. by the Bay Area-based record label, Interdependent Media on June 24, 2008.

Review by Icering

This album was interesting.  K'naan's vocal style is distinguishable and his words flow very well.  I felt on a few occasions that the high pitch vocal changes were annoying.

I wish some of the production was better as some of the beats didn't do all the songs justice in my opinion.  The beats weren't in design, they just didn't stand out.  I think there are too many tracks on the CD, after the 16th song I had to check see what was left since the music was so passive and of the same style.

Pros:  

- Dynamic vocals that almost force you to pay attention.
- Relatively meaningful lyrics
- Good stories.

Cons:  
- Some of K'naan's vocal pitch changes get annoying
- especially in the higher pitches
- Lack of memorable production

Swing:

If you're a hip-hop head and want to add a few new interesting spices to your collection, this could do it.

Streams:

"If Rap Gets Jealous"

http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-If_Rap_Gets_Jealous.mp3

http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-If_Rap_Gets_Jealous.asx 

"Strugglin'"

http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-Strugglin.mp3

http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-Strugglin.asx 

"Soobax"

http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-Soobax.mp3

http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan/Knaan-Soobax.asx 

Photo Montage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rkdoZLtTso 

Bio, pictures, and streams available here:
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Knaan

K'naan MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/knaanmusic

K'naan official site:
http://www.thedustyfoot.com/ 

Label site:
http://www.imculture.com/
 

Prior to signing with Interdependent Media, Shaya spent nearly ten years hitting the pavement in his native Bay Area slanging handmade CD's and mix tapes at shows and on street corners. Shaya's lyricism, determination, and charismatic personality caught the attention of many industry leaders but personal obstacles often prevented him from taking his craft to the next level. Interdependent Media is proud to finally release the fulfillment of the potential industry leaders had always seen in Shaya with Fallen Awake. Devoid of the clichés and excess that have come to characterize mainstream hip-hop, Shaya succeeds in crafting no-frills, honest, and intelligent hip-hop music. Fallen Awake will be released on 7/29.

Review by Icering

Shaya - Fallen Awake

The highlight of this album is its production.  Shaya's dynamics and vocal rhythms are good.  He uses his voice as a percussion instrument to add to the good production.  The depth of the lyrics didn't impress me.  I thought the word content was very shallow.  This is nothing I haven't heard before, so technically I could be listening to anybody.  I wouldn't be able to tell it was Shaya rapping if heard this song somewhere else.  I don't remember too much of the word content because it there was nothing that stood out.  So for me it became an instrumental album since his vocal delivery is done well.

Pros:

- Great production
- Good vocal delivery


Cons:

- Lyrics are "industry standard," they don't stand out.


Swing:

- The production and vocal delivery are enough to pick this one up, its enough to make you move your head.

 

Little Vic:

The first thing I noticed about this album as I run through it is the lyrical delivery.  Little Vic’s passion and emotion are very clear and shine on these tracks.  It’s very clear he is into what he is doing as the disc has a lot of energy.  The overall production was well done.  This CD compliments Vic’s style.  A lot of rap albums have a gap between the beat and the lyrics, however, in this case there rapper and the beat fit as one sound. 

The whole album is a very solid overall.  Outside of a few songs, Little Vic stood out as himself and not your cliché “wanna be rapper.”  I can recognize him on his songs which is a good thing. The entire album screams New York.  It has such a NY feel to it that I think Little Vic intentionally made it be as NY sounding as possible.  But it’s all good.
 
Pros: passionate rap flow and delivery, solid production, relatively smooth flowing album
 
Cons:  If I could tell Little Vic anything, it would be to stay clear of those pitch vocal style beats.  Fortunately there are only two on the album.  I was very tempted to skip through section because of their overuse.
 
Swing vote: Extra points are given because he is identifiable, which I find very rare.
 
Score: 9/10

 

Black Milk:

My first impression of this disc was “another rap album." Not too much stood out for me lyrically or production wise.  The production lacked individuality.  Nothing really stood out.  The album was not bad, but it wasn’t a stand out.  It is in line with the industry standard.  If there was any uniqueness the disc reminded me of “Detroit Hip-Hop.” 

Pros:  Good album to introduce people to the style.

Cons: It sounds like the other 100,000 people doing the same thing.
 
Swing vote:  If I wanted to make a Midwest track and didn't know how I would probably make sure it had the basic characteristics of this album to measure it.

Score: 7/10

 

Falling Off The Real:  Volume II

Truth & Soul presents the second volume of their singles collection entitled Falling Off The Real.  This album features a good collections laid back tunes, that are very easy on the ears regardless of your music preferences.  My favorite track is Bronx River Parkway.  The CD is constant with its feel and styling so overall you get a good album from beginning to end.  On a scale of 10, with 10 being the best, here's how I rate the disc.

Production: 9 - cool vibes all the way though.

Lyrics and Vocals: N/A - not enough

Vibes: 9 - nice laid back grooves

Replay Value: 8 - good for background sounds

My picks: All of the Bronx River Parkway tracks.

BMIA.COM Exclusive Interview with Akrobatik

BMIA: How long have you been in the music business, and how did you get started?

Akrobatik: 10 years. Started in 1998, I dropped my first single on Bost Detonate. Rapping since 3^rd grade, doing talent shows as a teen coming up. Did clubs in Boston and did a lot of studio time. Coming up on open mics, doing stuff for Rawkus Records 2000.

BMIA: The name Akrobatik is unique, how did you get that name?

Akrobatik: I started out with a group called Inferno MC’s we did well for notoriety. We were just teens smoking weed, it was dope! The name stands out (i.e. Redman, DMX etc.) For 14 years I have been stuck with it.

BMIA: With the release of Absolute Value, what’s the difference between this work and your previous stuff?

Akrobatik: With this record I was more focused on beats, on a mission providing at the time to that bow bow on a track, and a gang of substance when I write.

BMIA: How did you link up with some of the artists on this project?

Akrobatik: When I first came out in 1995, we recorded demos at the same studio. Went up and met some of the other artists that were there and we clicked. We thought they were crazy talented.

BMIA: You always seem to have a new sound, do you go into the studio with the intension of coming out with a new style or does it just happen?

Akrobatik: Play my role, Akro is about never sounding the same. Never picturing the same. “Remind my soul” it’s good, but everyone has a different song.

BMIA: How do you define success? What is the one thing that you need to be a successful Artist in today’s music business?

Akrobatik: Being able to make your own rules in life. If you are in a position where you’re doing your own thing because you’re wanting to do them and not doing things because you don’t want to do them, then you are successful. I can turn down offers if it’s not a good offer. I don’t have to take it because it’s not a good offer.

BMIA: Who are some of your musical and personal influences?

Akrobatik: KRS-One, Chuck D, Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Slick Rick. When it was like 25 artists at a time, things you can enjoy mood music and prince. Big Daddy Kane, Rakim. Personal influence was moms, my boys, my crew a whole bunch of go getters.

BMIA: What do you want people to get or learn as a result of listening to your music?

Akrobatik: I just want people to know I’m an artist that they can count on to make quality music. Anything beyond that is extra; I am one man one guy.

BMIA: A while back I was watching VH-1’s behind the music featuring New Edition. The show pointed out that after their first major tour, the group received a check for $1.87. How can artists protect themselves from being ripped off?

Akrobatik: That was a really different era. For me there’s independent artist, I don’t know about major label record deals. Because I’ve never had one to try to commandeer, actually you know what I can’t say that if I go back far enough I can think of some times where I got jerked money wise. I did learn a lesson through that I think you have to be your own man. No matter how old you are and you’re working as an independent artist, you have to know that business part of it, you have to what you’re supposed to have coming to you.

BMIA: How would you describe your contribution to music?

Akrobatik: Just getting started, I have a lot of work to do. So far so good. I have a full start. I am at a point where I am comfortable with whom I am as a person and as an artist, and I know what I have to do to sustain my career, now is the time for me to start putting out more stuff.

OK, Akro, this is the part of the interview where we strap you in the Black Men In America.com Hot Seat. This is our version of “call and response” where we say something and you call out the first thing that comes to mind. Are you ready? Great!

BMIA: Revolution

Akro: Unity

BMIA: Black Peoples Struggle

Akro: Tiresome

BMIA: Tupac

Akro: Loose Cannon

BMIA: Huey Newton

Akro: Bad Ass

BMIA: Favorite Female Artist

Akro: Jill Scott

BMIA: Favorite Male Artist

Akro: Prince

BMIA: Spare time

Akro: Lay out on the beach

BMIA: Favorite Song of all time

Akro: “Adore” by Prince

BMIA: Most common mistake people make when starting out in the music business

Akro: Not being themselves. 

BMIA: You are officially out of the Black Men In America.com Hot Seat.

BMIA: What are the biggest challenges facing black men in America?

Akrobatik: Overcoming the Willie Lynch Syndrome. Getting over the notion that we are supposed to hate each other, we’re brothers and if every black man saw another black man as a brother and another black woman as a sister, I think we would go so far because all the conflict we have over nothing is just ridiculous and avoidable nuisance.

BMIA: How can people reading this article support you?

Akrobatik: Go to the record store and buy a physical copy, pay for it, so I can continue my message. Remember that a sale is a vote if you enjoy the music pay for it.

BMIA: Any final Words?

Akrobatik: The album’s out. Got all types of goods and I am a black independent artist with something to say and worth listening to. 

BMIA: There you go straight from Akro, the man himself! Check him out and his guest and features as well. 

Click here to visit Akrobatik's MySpace page.

This interview was conducted by “Team Tykim” featuring Tykim Jones for Black Men In America.com.  Thanks to Michelle McDevitt from Audible Treats.com for arranging this interview.

   

Akrobatik - Absolute Value

Akrobatik is a Boston hip-hop mainstay.  This disc is a follow-up to his 2003 CD "Balance."  The lyrics on this new release have a strong presence that compels you to want to listen to to him which is rare in the current rap scene.  The production on the album is very solid and matches Akrobatik's style well.

This album is a great way to "detox" people from the mainstream music that comes on TV and the radio.  This disc is versatile in the sense that it appeals to people who like to rap, produce or listen.  The album is also a good example of how the real and true hip-hop genre sounds.  If I was going to write and compose a hip-hop song I would use the same formula used on this album.  This is a solid release.

Lyrics and Vocals: 9 - strong lyrics and good presence to keep me interested.

Production: 8 - Customized for the artist.  He isn't just rapping over some beats.

Overall vibe: 8

Replay value: 7 - Not enough changes to go though the album many times, specific tracks...yes....whole album on a full run....maybe.

My Favorite Picks: Kindred, Absolute Value, Beast Mode.

One Be Lo:  The R.E.B.I.R.T.H

This is another solid album with a good balance of lyrics and production.  The only thing for me is that it sounds somewhat cliché.  The production is good, the lyrics are good and the delivery is smooth.  So overall, everything is solid nothing sounds bad at all, but at the same time nothing stands out either.  This is a very safe album.

Lyrics and Vocals : 7 - The lyrics have meaning.

Production: 7 - Solid production with common beat styles that are easy tune out.  They aren't bad but they aren't interesting either.

Overall: 7

Replay value: 5 - short shelf life on this one in my opinion.

My Favorite Picks: Gray, Rebirth

 

Bisc1: When Electric Night Falls

All the songs on this disc have a deep and slow feel.  The production is really good, but the flow doesn't change in dynamics nor does he seem too be able to keep up with the beats and maximize their potential.  He raps in such a linear fashion that he doesn't make an rhythms with his vocal flow.

Lyrics and Vocals:  6.5 - The lyrics here have meaning and tell a story, but the delivery is too weak to get the message across.  There's also a weak chorus which makes the flow a bit lacking in my opinion.  

Bisc1 doesn't seem to be able to keep up with his beats in a lot of songs, it seems he is rapping behind a lot of the faster tracks (fast = mid tempo for this album); and this causes a drag effect and a sense of friction in some of the songs.  His rapping is too laid back on some tracks but to fair to Bisc 1. the beats aren't calling for that in some cases.

Production: 8 - The beats are pretty good, and interesting, lots of good production.

Vibes: 6

Replay Replay: 5

My Favorite Picks: Turbulence, Pandemonium