Search - Trends of Culture :: Off & On

Mad Flavor Mad Style...

SmokaJ | TORONTO | 01/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Trends of Culture is one of those (MANY!) groups that popped up during the '93-95 explosion of Hip-Hop, dropped a phat debut album - then disappeared...never to be heard from again. The only time you hear of them nowadays is from serious Hip-Hop heads (like myself) who try to let people know that THERE IS STILL LOTS OF AMAZING HIP-HOP OUT THERE FOR YOU TO UNCOVER!!! You just have to find it. So that being said, everyone can turn off their radios and stop trying to digest the absolute (...) that horribly poses as Hip-Hop today. Okay, okay...I'm getting off topic.



Trends is a trio consisting of MC's Nastee, M.O.L. and Grapevine. Each brings a different style and flavor to the album, which helps to keep their tracks from going stale. Each can definetly handle his b.i on the mic, and although they're no supreme lyricists, their rhymes are perfectly suited to the beats - and I'm a sucker for MC's who have fun with Hip-Hop.



The album is self-produced and the result is ear-shattering. That's the best aspect of "Trendz," the hard '93 NY beats. As a (VERY) special bonus The Funkyman himself, Lord Finesse remixes tracks #6 "Off & On" and #11 "Valley of the Skinz (Bonus Mix)" with his trademark deep bass and dirty horns.



The overall result is a really, really good album that will stand the test of time. Y'know, part of me wishes that TOC put out another LP, but from experience I know that it wouldn't have been as good as this album (and in some instances, not even close). FAR TOO MANY artists and crews have an AMAZING debut, then it's all downhill from there...only a select few can pull off 2 albums worthy of being pressed. So the more knowledgeable part of me is happy with this one GREAT album.



Bottom Line: Not quite a masterpiece, but I really love this album, so my personal bias gives this an extra star. 5 stars, Peace."

Comin' wit charisma

? | United Kingdom! | 06/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ask most self-proclaimed hiphop fans if they've heard of Trends of culture, and you'll most likely find they haven't. Unfortunately, like most Mc's in the 90's, these guys pretty much disappeared after this debut dropped, never to be heard from again. 10 tracks & 1 skit (on which they briefly display their soulful side ) of straight early 90's jazzy boombap, that cannot be disputed is what you are getting here ; fans of that early - mid 90's sound will love this, it's just straight refreshing. The group is made up of MOL, Grapevine & Nastee, with the majority of the production being done by MOL (Tracks #6 & #11 Lord Finesse - DITC). Mad Mad flavor, jazzy / funky breaks & samples with that rugged boom bap vibe laced into one...aaah, just like it should be. Although, this is not the most orginial album ever, you can bet TOC come wit' that undescribable charisma and flava, that was so clearly fantastic about 90's hiphop.

This is an essential to those who love that good ol' ish, if you have no idea what I'm on about then move and go buy some nelly as this is not for you.



Lyrics - 9/10

Beats - 10/10

Originality - 7/10

Replay Value - 9/10



If you found this helpful, check my other reviews"