Matt Maddox
Asylum Artistry
Release Date: 10.08.2010
WOW! if I wasn’t infected before, I AM NOW!
This highly infectious album is well worth your cash. This is real Underground right here, who ever said Hip Hop was dead, YOUR JUST NOT LOOKING HARD ENOUGH!
It begins with the 'Intro', then to 'A New Hope' (Double meaning intended) and once the beat kicks in and Maddox starts his hypnotic flow you instantly feel the need to bump up the volume and nod your head till your neck snaps, only being a short track 'as if by purpose; it leaves you at the peak of an instant hit, sub consciously urging the next track to begin 'even faster' as though a three second gap is far too long a come down between highs.
The next few tracks definitely don’t disappoint, if Nohokai's beat for 'Rippin MC's' doesn’t leave you instantly re-absorbed then Ganjak's beat for 'Audiomega' will. Maddox's lyricism really begins to sink in by this point as he does what he does best, those rolling flows spliced with militant wordplay while accompanied by cuts that instantly trigger fond memories.
Then as if it couldn’t get any better we come to 'Building for the children' definitely one of my favourites on the album and one that I repeated many times over, Ganjak out does himself here production wise and both Maddox and Sabac Red (NonPhixion) drop some skilfully written knowledge 'from the youth, to the youth and for the youth'!
The beat brings your drug experience up a notch once again with 'Capital Kill' ft Just-1, Ganjak’s Guitar/violin sampled chaotically enthused production sets the scene for corruption delivered flawlessly followed by 'Bloody Tactix' ft Lord Lhus who I think needs no introduction.
From 'This is Destiny' to another of my favourites; 'You are the resistance' is three minutes of complete sickness, no hooks, no breaks just lyrics after lyrics hitting you like a barrage of punch's one after the other. Ganjak shows us just how effective a producer he is while Maddox drops truth after truth that the world at large could really do to hear while switching up his flows to a level rivalled by only a few in the game.
Although interludes are rarely highlighted in a review I felt I needed to do so in this one, the beat is sick and my only disappointment was that it wasn’t used as a full track on the album.
I wasn’t disappointed for long as I felt the blood rush when 'Solution 2 The Confusion Pt. 3' kicked in and I felt the need to rise up, rebel and build an entire army to fight against the oppression, the power of Maddox's and LA Dogs words seemed only too clear.
Sadat X again needs no introduction and kicks out a good verse that works well on Ganjak’s beat while contrasting nicely with Maddox's voice on 'Homage (Rights Of Passage)'.
Maddox goes on to express himself violently in 'There Will Be Blood' while the beat encapsulates his words in almost perfect HARMony; then preceded by 'Scars And Stripes' ft Canibus which I personally couldn’t wait to hear as I’ve not heard anything from Canibus for time and was curious as to how he would sound. Again i was not disappointed, Maddox is as sick as ever with his controversial metaphors that are always on point while Canibus came good with flows and lyrics to match.
Again Ganjak comes up trumps with the beat for 'Cannibal Mandible' followed by 'Rebel Resistance' expertly produced by Nohokai and ft Beast1333, another one of my favourites with phenomenal flows and skilful wordplay by both MCs.
The use of George Michael’s Careless Whispers in the track 'Invested' makes this one of the best tracks for me, not that I’m a fan of Georges but Ganjak has used it BEAUTIFULLY while Maddox really makes you feel his words and his unconditional love for the music and culture he embodies.
'The Fifth Element'! a fitting pre-finish (bar the 'Outro') to a sick album, Maddox floods your ears with imagery leaving you envisioning Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, Flesh, Blood, Bone and all the trimmings of a planetary long struggle.
From Guerrilla War Tactix to this! All in All 'Asylum Artistry' and Matt Maddox encompasses Hip Hop in its originality, with some sick collabs and talented production this album should NOT be slept on. If you really fancy your self to be a true head you will go out and buy this.
Mac Hakim
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RZA
The Tao of Wu
Release Date: 03.08.2010
The Tao of Wu- By RZA - Riverhead Books October 15th 2009
The Tao of Wu is the second literary offering from the Wu-tang Clan’s main producer Rza aka Robert Diggs, and in comparison to the Wu Manual this is a more auto-biographical standpoint focusing mainly on Diggs himself. Although, it does offer a lot of insight into the other clan members, and is filled with nuggets of information even the die hard follower might not be aware of.
Rza tells of how he and his cousins studied from an early age to gain the wisdom of Islam, putting them on a righteous path with the knowledge and motivation needed to succeed from a grass roots level. He tells of a five year plan that he developed walking the streets of New York, which he later proposed to the rest of the crew to take them to the heights they achieve today.
The Abbot gives insight into his own beliefs and spirituality, which in turn help to provide deeper insight into the often philosophically driven lyrics of the Wu. The rhymes are broken down and explained to show exactly were the ideas have come from. He talks about his work ethic in great detail and the different studio setups he has used over time and how these effected both the rappers and the records they released.
Rza’s Tao of Wu explains about the relationships (sometimes rocky) with other clan members, including some very heart wrenching tales about the late great O.D.B. Both the rise and fall of the Wu-tang Clan are explained in a very un-biased fashion not directing blame to any single individual but to differing work loads and commitments. The inspiration for the creation of Bobby Digital, is also told in very vivid and lucid style, giving you a real feel for what was going on within the Clan at the time and why Rza went digi.
The book is a great read for anyone, not just Wu heads, and touches on the many ideas that make up the Clan, Be it hip-hop, religion, spirituality, kung fu flicks, chess or street culture. The Tao of Wu is a deep look in the past 15 years of Hip-hop’s biggest and most successful group and there equally successful solo careers. For a more Clan orientated read check out “ The Wu manual” also available on Riverhead books,
Written by The Albino Moon Tanner
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Chief Wigz
Sunday Service
Release Date: 23.07.2010
A member of the Don’t talk to Strangers crew Chief Wigz one of leeds finest Mc’s latest offering the album also titled Chief Wigz is entirely produced by heavy West Yorkshire producer Brutal artistry who brings some tight production skills to the table, blending well with Wigz smooth vocals and on point flow which sort of reminds me of a Yorkshire 2pac (in a good way).
Chief Wigz lyricism complements the different styles and variations of the tracks he and Brutal artistry have brought together on this ear pleasing piece of Up north hip-hop. There’s some nice laid back tracks here to kick back n smoke one too (well i did) such as the single Sunday service which is also available on a limited orange 12” vinyl (which makes me think of opal fruits, tangy!!!) Black & Blue where he bounces well off fellow 9 lives member Proptic, the great track Leafs and the track that really stands out for me entitled Love it feat Bane of No Pretense I love it......
Brutal Artistry’s production is heavy throughout I would be happy listening to the instrumentals on this album alone. There’s a few collabs on this disk which are used to effect, to create a varied hip hop album from the beat box of Megamouth, to the vocal skills of Proptic, Bane, J simp le, Jack flash, Shamaine Pierre and Spida Lee. Chief Wigz has delivered a 17 track album of class Uk hip-hop with a nice orange tinge to it (the Cd itself) another big release from the West Yorkshire crew big up Chief Wigz and the Don’t talk to strangers posse.
The Nabster
Hiphop Villages angry Reviewer
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