Underrated Producers

While some producers are known worldwide for changing the game (Dre, RZA, etc.) and others praised by hip hop heads for banging out classics (Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor etc.), there are a few great 90's producers who still get no love. These guys lack the track record of the guys I mentioned, but were still crazy behind the boards.

Jaz-O

Best known for putting Jay-Z on to the game, The Jaz was not only a rapper but a telented beat maker. While DJ Premier gets the credit (as he should) for what is regarded as one of the best produced albums of all time, Group Home's Living Proof, Jaz-O produced "4 Give My Sins" which stacks up fairly well against some of Premo's best work. Premier also had Big Jaz contribute to M.O.P.'s Firing Squad, where it is arguable that he even outshined Premier (not
my opinion) by making the album's most recognizable beat, "World Famous," which was later used for Scarface's hit "My Block." Among his other accomplishments (and basically rounding off his catalaugue) was his work with Jay-Z, including "Ain't No Nigga" and the classic "In My Lifetime (Big Jaz Mix)".

The Vinyl Reanimators

The Vinyl Reanimators are a beat making trio of DJ Shame (pictured), Joe Mansfield, and Rhythm Nigga Joe. While their production credits are limited to a handful of songs, the one's I've heard are all great. "Too Complex" (one of the best beats evar) and "It's Your Life" are two standouts from L Da Headtoucha's Destined For Greatness, and Ed O.G.'s Acting, which will be re-released this year, is a gem produced entirely by the Reanimators. That being said, what they do best is remix classics. Some that I've heard are Kool G. Rap's "Fast Life," De La Soul's "The Bizness," and two (1 & 2) great remixes of Rakim's "Guess Who's Back?"

Album Review: EMC- The Show

I made a post way back about EMC, a (sort of) new group with Masta Ace, Stricklin, Punchline, and Wordsworth. This album has been hyped up for a while now and it looks promising with 24 tracks, a good production lineup, and guest appearences from Sean Price and Little Brother. Plus, with Masta Ace running things this album should have a good idea or two. Does "The Show" deliver?


1. Who We Be


A very solid intro. All the rappers introduce themsleves which is convenient since I haven't really checked for any of these guys minus Ace before this album.


2. Airport (skit)


Like the past few Masta Ace album this is full of skits which follow a storyline, in this case, a show. In the first skit some Jewish show promoter keeps EMC waiting at the airport but he'll make it up to them.


3. Leak It Out


This beat is alright but would be better if this sample hadn't been used before (I couldn't tell you by who because I'm lazy but it's very familar). None of the rappers say anything especially interesting here.


4. The Check In (skit)


The Jew wasn't lying as he hooks them up with a hotel suite but then Masta Ace rolls off in his moms Denali.


5. Traffic (Feat. Little Brother)


A driving anthem or something (nothing new to Masta Ace) over the smoothest, and best, beat on the album so far. Phonte and Big Pooh contribute verses but Ace shines on this track.


6. Say Now


A bad take on one of those Just Blaze kind of beats where its just one note for like 8 beats. I'm not sure the purpose of this song but I'm starting to think that Ace should've just done another solo project instead.


7. Message (skit)


One of the guys not Masta Ace calls up his baby moms who doesn't pick up and he's had it up to here with that shit.


8. Don't Give Up On Us (Feat. ADI)


EMC pleads their girls not to leave them for cooler, more wealthy rappers. Naturally the most broing song yet.


9. Get Some (Feat. Sean Price)


Whoever made this beat should be slapped in the face. It starts off like a banger then the yelling and crashing sound effects just pile on until its just one great clusterfuck. What saves this song is Masta Ace's mention of beef and broccolis and Sean P's verse.


10. We Alright (Feat. Strickie Love)


The beat by Frequency (?) sounds alot like something Nicolay would do which would probably fit some Justus League rappers better but whatever. It's a nice and easy track which is conveniently placed after the chaos that was track 9.


11. Radio Station (skit)


EMC is asked by a radio host what EMC stands for, and something tells me that the next track has something to do with that.


12. EMC "What It Stand For"

This beat by the real Nicolay is just too repetitive and annoying for me to be able to enjoy this song very much. Ironically enough the group just says a bunch of three word phrases that could be abbreviates as EMC but I still have no clue as to what it actually stands for.

13. Angry Merch. Guy (skit)

Some guy selling merch(andise?) tells 'em why he madd.

14. Grudge

Ok this is pretty serious. The beat is a badass guitar riff and EMC raps about holding a grudge if you couldn't assume as much.

15. Make It Better

This is just not a good idea all around. The beat is fruity, the concept (making hip hop better) is weak, and the chorus sounds like something on Barney.

16. The Lobby (skit)

Masta Ace crashed the Jew's moms car and then (oh shit) Stricklin comes down rockin' the puma suit.

17. Winds Of Change

Things have changed since the members of EMC were kids, especially Masta Ace. This is kind of like that Cormega song "Back To The Future" except worse, but I'll take what I can get.

18. The Show (Feat. Ladybuy Mecca)

This plays out like a scene in a movie with Ace, Punch, Words, and Strick rapping about their preparation for the show. The uptempo beat matches the concept perfectly too. This would make a cool music video.

19. Back Stage (skit)

Some dude tries to get backstage to find his girlfriend Christy who I assume is getting railed by one of the guys.

20. Borrow U (Feat. Strickie Love)

The crew members want to chill with some honeys while they're in town. This sounds like a Little Brother song in one of their less creative moments.

21. Once More

I didn't pick up any specific topic on this but it is a good, normal track. The laid back piano beat is especially nice.

22. U Let Me Grow

As far as momma songs go this is pretty good.

23. Feel It (Feat. Money Ham)

EMC is gonna stay on the grind and all that shit. Kind of boring if anything.

24. Bonus

Bloopers from the skits over the "Winds Of Change" instrumental. Ace did the same thing on the last album.

Overall:

None of the post-2000 Masta Ace projects have had much energy or entertainment value because he isn't that kind of rapper, but Disposable Arts and A Long Hot Summer had creative genius to make up for it. This album unfortunately doesn't have that, so while the beats and rhymes themselves may be as good as those on A Long Hot Summer, the skits and storyline which helped make that a great album are watered down on this album. When compared more broadly to other underground rap albums though this is pretty good.

Best Songs:

"Who We Be", "Traffic", "Once More"

Preview AZ's Album

At XXL. The new album is titled Undeniable and is slated to drop in February on KOCH.

Classic Live Performances

This first one is by Philadelphia's new mayor Mike Nutter kickin' it old school with ?uestlove on the wheels of steel.




The second is rap legend Big Daddy Kane. Watch it all the way through for the climax.

New Shit

I usually don't post new albums of download because I'm an advocate for buying and supporting good music but it's not likely you'll be able to get these at Best Buy or anything. They're two mixtapes, the first is Joe Budden's Mood Muzik 3 which comes out in February. It's too bad his major album was so club influenced because he brings heat on this mixtpe series but will probably never get big time production again. On the other hand Bishop Lamont is on Aftermath and maybe if Dr. Dre decides to stop being a lazy douche someday they'll make a classic. For now, we'll settle for Pope Mobile, the entertaining mixtape which dropped on Christmas.

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Download

Another new banger for '08 is Freddie Foxxx's new track produced by Primo "My Thoughts." I've never been a huge fan but Bumpy ditches his usual adrenaline rush style to suit the mellow Premier beat. Hopefully that American Black Man album has more of this.

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