Search - Blue Scholars :: Blue Scholars

Who Are These Guys? (4.5 Stars)

Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 02/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is superior to just about anything I've heard this year (with One Be Lo's S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. LP being the lone exception). The production is different from anything you've ever heard, yet totally familiar. They're funky, smooth, and melodic.....Sabzi definitely laid some heat on this LP. I'm officially hooked on his sound after just one listen. As far as the rhymes, Geologic is just as tight on the rhymes as Sabzi is on the beats. He rhymes with a purpose.....a tatic that's slowly becoming exstinct in rap music. It's as perfect a blend of rhymes and beats as you're going to find.



As far as flaws, I've yet to find/hear any. The replay value is great here, the beats are on point, and the lyrics are tight, intelligent, and smooth. There are NO wack tracks here. Well, "The Ave" is skippable. It's not wack, but I tend to skip it because it's kind of boring. The same can be said for "Life & Debt".



It's crazy that I've never heard of these guys before. If the magazine I write for hadn't sent it to me for review, I'd probably still be unaware of who these two guys are. They may be all the way on the otherside of the country (Seattle, Wa), but they have a new fan/promotional tool right here in Washington, DC now.





Geologic and Sabzi have something going here. They have a connection as a producer and emcee team that you rarely hear in hip hop (like Guru & Primo, Kweli & Hi Tek, or Pete Rock & CL Smooth). I give this album two thumbs way, way, way up. I'd highly recommend buying this. If you come across this album in a store, snatch it up. Don't even think about it, just get it. I know I'll be bumping this for AT LEAST the next six months.



Standout Tracks: Blink (My Favorite), The Inkwell, Solstice: Intro, Freewheelin', Bruise Brothers, Evening Chai, selfPortrait, Burnt Offering, Sagaba, and Blue School

"

An enticing and rhythmatic sound unlike any other

B. Blum | Vernon Hills, IL | 03/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These two cats from Seattle, WA are becoming the best thing to come out of Seattle since Starbucks. While Sabzi lays the most unorthodox beats I've ever heard, his partener in crime, Geologic, is spitting a poetic mixture of social issues and satire that make the audience go 'OOOHH.' This album, along with The Long March and Common Market-by RA Scion, are a neccessity in any true hip-hop fans CD arsenal."

Near Perfect - rep'n the Northwest

J. Bishop | Boulder, CO USA | 03/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a Northwest native, pride may creep into this review, but this is legitimately one of the best albums from last year. The sad thing is, if my boy from Seatown hadn't brought this out to Colorado for me, i might have slept on it. Sabzi is unbelievable, and I've been listening to Common Market for a few. I think this project goes even further, with Geologic's flow feeling a little more distinctive. Pure, raw, concious, and butter smooth hip-hop, representing the Northwest with a sly wit that'll make anyone who's been there smile. Get this album! Check out Lifesavas for some Oregon flavor of the Quannum variety (new album in April), and support indie rap from YOUR hometown. It's great to see this creeping out of the B.B.P. shadow up there.



Responding to a previous reviewer, I dont see any credit to the Soul Position comparison. I like S.P. and much of both of their solo works, but it only takes one listen to RJ's stuff (esp. his new album, The Third Hand) to see that he is on a different frequency from, well... everybody else. Innovative for sure, and one of the best producers out there, but There is no comparison to Blue Scholars smooth, rolling beats, and true hip-hop perspective. I see nothing in Blueprint's unique, squaking, emotional, and broken flow to compare to Geologic's slippery cadence that seems too ooze smoooove like a blunted Gab.



HEADS, COP THIS!"