Search - Sweatshop Union :: Natural Progression

Sweatshop Always pleases

Gordo | New Jersey United States | 10/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had to buy this cd as soon as it came out because their last cd was one of the best cd's i've ever heard. Most people have never heard of sweatshop union, and that is a terrible thing. They are the type of group where you put the cd in, and listen to it the whole way though, you dont need the skip button, because every song is just that good. This cd is a very worthy sequel to their first release. If you like sweatshop union you need to buy this cd, those who arent familar should check out their first release. I cant write down any of my favorites because it would almost be every one. If you like hip hop, underground, or whatever, or you jsut want something new, you shold definatly check these guys out, you wont be sorry."

They Seem To Be Doing This Naturally

Cuzz | Where Real Music Lives | 03/30/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Isn't it refreshing to hear a hip hop group that has something to say but isn't afraid to have fun? Sure it is, luckily we have Sweatshop Union to cover that department. The Union is rather a collective ala Hieroglyphics or Native Tongues rather than a group. In the late 90's it formed out of several B.C. rap outfits: Dirty Circus, Innocent Bystanders, Creative Minds and solo emcee Kyprios. Signed to Canadian hip hop indie label Battle Axe Records, they released their sophomore album "Natural Progression". Although they have rappers, producers, and a DJ they still have Moka Only on guest vocals, some dude name Tawgs helping with production & S & M's Rob The Viking & Bookworm from The Oddities as well (Dj Sets lends guest cuts on one track too). Whether in-house or guest produced the beats on this disc are for the most part a kool listen on their own having a rather throwback feel at certain times, funky-fresh at others, using a wide range of instrumentation. When dealing with the vocal side of the album it is a pleasure to listen to also. All the MC's have great flow and witty lyrics but to me they lack in delivery. Although there is a certain sense of anonymity, one rapper, Kyprios does stand out to me with his throaty delivery and laid back approach. They all rap from a working class point of view and although they are aggravated with the worlds current state they hold a positive message that is not lost in over aggressive ranting. I'll speak on the highlights now...I Got News ~ The song that really cracks the album open. It's a solo cut by Kyprios. He raps about the frustration of working hard at a job and not getting anywhere, women that don't understand the starving artist type he is and he pokes fun at the industry kats that are like G Unit and even the "nerd rappers" ala Aesop Rock, while expressing his views on the fakeness of the game. The production by Rob The Viking, Tawgs & Kyprios himself is a laidback adventure using jazzy piano loops, complimentary bass, steady percussion & changed up organ on the hook. The hook. The hook is made up of a vocal sample saying "I've got news" and Kyp echoing it. You get a great view of his personality on the song just check this:"/the industry talks behind my back/
/and the backpacker rappers think I'm wack/
/I can't find a DJ to spin my wax/
/I speak like this ("white" voice) but I rap black/Better Days ft/ Moka Only ~ Kool/trippy track. The raps all great and consistent talking about how we are all placed under fear and false lies in order to direct our attention to other things so we don't see the problems directly around us. I do like the many Sweatshop rappers but I can't distinguish them enough so Moka's input is welcomed to make this stand out (wish he had dropped a verse). His smooth vocals on the chorus remind me of something Jay Kay of Jamiroqui might sing, looking toward a brighter future. The beat by Bookworm is a trippy affair, using a brassy key board loop as the basis.US ~ A highly political song. Sweatshop can create a great political anthem if anything. On this one they are telling everyone to stand up against the terrorism that is the government of a certain country to the south of them. They explain how the innocent loss of lives and the conquests of the president featured on track cannot be fuelled if the people refuse to help it along and they rally the individual to take accountability. The production is diverse once again. It uses guitar and violin loops for a touch of darkness and chimey sounds interjected to give the music a life of it's own, it's done by Mr. Marmalade. Check this line for the intelligence they hold in the hook here:"/(Us!) We're the ones that paid for the bombs/
/(Us!) we built the planes that they're on/
/(Us!)It's Insane all the ways that they've con'd/
/(Us!)into killing millions of innocent people but it's all on (Us!)/On The Sly ~ Sweatshop's version of the party posse cut. You can tell all the emcees are having a great time on this one. All of them bring clever, battle rhymes that have them in flex mode. This reminds me of a Jurassic 5 joint a lot. Rob The Viking makes a very complex instrumental with southern fried guitar licks, energetic organs, pounding drums and funky horns (ahhh how I love horns), and koldass cuts. Combined with an infectious chant-like hook to make my favourite spot on the disc, which will have good summertime play for it's self alone.Garbage Love Songs & Cheesy Jingles ~ The industry shakedown. This is a hilarious joint right here. With all the MC's degrading whack pop rappers, fake "gangstas" and the like. They let everyone know they pronounce their "ings and ers" (had me rolling). Throw in a very catchy hook with out pop sensibility, this is sure to be a stand out for many. The beat by Metty The Dert Merchant is a winner, with a great horn loop.If you want to feel any sense that what you were listening to is enriching your mind this is a good release to get. My advice to the guys is vary the hooks slightly, add more scratches and put who goes when on each track, til people get more familiar with the artists. Also one disappointment is that Kyprios is only featured on three tracks on the album, just like the new Hiero joint only have Del on small parts, when you have a weapon use it! There are plenty of very strong songs on this record, they just need more real bangers like "On The Sly" and ones as smart as "Us" to make a classic record. Until that happens I wish them the best of luck, I have to check out their first release, this album gets three (really 3.5) stars. Peace, love & soul..."

True to their word

Spit with Purpose | Barrie, Ontario, Canada | 12/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sweatshop Union is truly inspirational. They rap about topics that matter to them and they make you step back and take a look at things from a different perspective. 7 guys come together to form the Sweatshop Union and each one of them is intelligent and raps with a style that is most interesting. The production is killer and the quality is consistent.
These cats are definitely one of the highlights of the Swollen Members' BattleAxe label. They are true to their music. If you like intelligent hiphop then this is a selection for you. If you like hiphop that gets your head movin' then this is also a selection for you. This CD has quality written all over it."