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Stereo: Evolution of Hiprocksoul
4th Avenue Jones
Stereo: Evolution of Hiprocksoul
Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Rock, Christian & Gospel
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

Ahmad Jones, leader of this South Central Los Angeles-based six piece with vaguely Christian origins, isn't lacking for talent. He sings, he produces, and he emcees, all with a bright shiny confidence that led Interscope t...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: 4th Avenue Jones
Title: Stereo: Evolution of Hiprocksoul
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Gotee Records
Release Date: 3/29/2005
Album Type: Enhanced
Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Rock, Christian & Gospel
Styles: Pop Rap, Rap & Hip-Hop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 669447295501

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Ahmad Jones, leader of this South Central Los Angeles-based six piece with vaguely Christian origins, isn't lacking for talent. He sings, he produces, and he emcees, all with a bright shiny confidence that led Interscope to come calling in 2002. If there is a danger zone for this act, though?as evidenced by the pretty good Stereo?it's Jones's fearlessness, which borders on recklessness. Taken aside by an old-school uncle in the business, Jones might get an earful about his compulsive genre-twisting: while it's cool, especially on tracks like "Why," in which he draws in each player gradually over a hip-hop 101 beat, it can't always be so indiscriminate. For example, Tena Jones' gorgeous, gospel-tinged vocal on "Who's Watching Me" would have stood stronger without being crashed by Timmy Shakes' Def Leppard-ish guitar, and the feel-good "Stereo" might have worked better as a straight-ahead rock number, no rap required. Sometimes, the brew bubbles just right: "Take Me Away," incorporating all the requisite HipRockSoul elements, does just that, and beautifully. --Tammy La Gorce

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CD Reviews

Hiprocksoul?
J.Did | Tampa, FL | 04/11/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ahmad has definitely changed since "Back In The Day" (see his 1994 debut Ahmad). On this album, he evolves a step further, taking his pioneering Hiprocksoul style to a new level. If you thought Mos Def's The New Danger went too far... you ain't heard nothing yet.



Being one of only two notable Hiphop bands (the other being The Roots), 4th Avenue Jones' kind of left the "Hiphop" behind and focused more on the "band" for this release. Now signed to dc Talk's Gotee Records, Ahmad decided to go a different route. The first thing I noticed other than the obvious sound difference when compared to their previous releases, is the absence of 4th Ave. rapper Senaj the Backwordz, or Jabu, as he was also known... no explanation was given... my guess is he may not have like the whole "rock" theme and opted out... who knows.



Anyway, if you are looking for a Hiphop album and Ahmad's lyrical and original rhyme style, you may want to skip this one. There is a definitive "rock" feel to it and Ahmad does more singing than rapping, especially on the first half of the album. This is very disappointing, considering he is one of the premiere lyricists from the Westcoast. When he does rap, you can hear his trademark, even through the hard guitar riffs that shroud almost every chorus.



What this album is missing in lyricism, it does make up for in originality and melody. Ahmad is an excellent songwriter and his band is great. Although I am not a big fan of screaming guitars, every track is original, musically interesting, and... well, catchy. The single "Stereo", although it is only just barely over 2 minutes long is the introduction of the new 4th Avenue Jones' and sets the pace for the rest of the album. Other highlights include "Overloaded", "I'm Sorry", and for those who would rather hear Ahmad's lyrical side, check out "Take Me Away", "Monumental Continental" featuring their new labelmates Grits, and the bonus track, probably the only record on the album that is not blatanty 'rock'-themed, "It's Over Now".



Hopefully, for the Jones' Hiphop fans, it's not 'over now'; I would love to hear some music more reminiscent to 1999's raw and original Hiphop release No Plan B. And, please bring back Jabu."
WOW
Rafe | Virginia Tech, VA - USA | 07/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, so I found these guys while looking for CDs on BMG. And I can tell you this, I've got their CD on order right now. How do I know they are so damn good? I've been listening to their website 24/7 for the past 3 days. This group is UNBELIEVABLE! Incredible lyrically and musically. If you don't have this CD you are really missing out. Just buy it! NOW!"
HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!!
Valerie A. Miller | Newark, DE | 11/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am always looking for new, experimental hip-hop and this is it. This is so entirely different than most of the stuff that you hear. The review above says that mixing the genres makes it weaker, not true. It only makes it that must better!! If you don't believe me, get on their website and listen."