Just awesome
Track 5 | 06/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not really a fan of Wutang or any hip hop, and that doesn't matter at all to enjoy this album. I've been listening to it all week, and I still can't get enough. It's funky and jazzy. If you enjoy good music, you should get this."
This is Not a Gimmick
TC in DC | Washington DC | 10/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If your first thought when hearing of this is that this is something along the lines of Dynamite Hack, (see Take a Bite Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute to Rap), forget that these are "covers" of the beats from a seminal rap album--this work stands on its own as an excellent down-tempo bit of acid jazz and chill. It's atmospheric, relaxed, and organic, and yet never schmaltzy; always delivering a groove that's sophisticated. It has a fantastic retro feel to it, but one that comes across as fully genuine. There is no forced-sounding attempt to be "nerdy old skool," even with the Kingston-like horns punching it up between the scratchy guitars and plinking acoustic piano. It seems clear that no one involved in the making of this felt they had anything to prove to anyone--it's confident, without being arrogant. They sound happy to be playing whether anyone gets what they're saying or not.
It works very well as a soundtrack to anything you want to add a level of urbanity to--cruising is a good activity, for example--but it's involved enough to also command your full attention. I'm very energized and excited by this album, and very few albums do that for me consistently or for more than the first few listens. Several months on of hearing this effort and I feel very confident that I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who wants some sophisticated chillout added to the mix of their life's soundtrack."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1