Nowhere is the divide between the mainstream and the underground greater than in hip-hop. While most hip-hop fans nod their heads to Puff Daddy and Master P., still others take solace in the idea that artists like those wh... more »o appear on Deeper Concentration exist to push the music further into the future. The artists featured on this compilation are the (presently) unknown saviors of the genre: turntablist warriors like the Beat Junkies, Mix Master Mike, and Rob Swift of the X-Ecutioners; the subversive art-hop of New York City's illbient DJ Spooky (here with Organized Konfusion); and the more straightforward hip-hop of Mass Influence. It's a shame that many mainstream fans don't know about the cut-up collages of beats and pieces found on Swift's "The Age of Television" or the understated, sublime rapping of Siah and Yeshua DapoED on the aptly titled "The Cure for Stagnation." And unlike in mainstream rap and hip-hop, here the chasm between electronic and hip-hop closes: jungle and dub inch their way next to slow breakbeats while weird, off-kilter rhythms supply a purely instrumental soundtrack and--surprise!--they don't feel a bit out of place next to the rapping and scratching. --Tricia Romano« less
Nowhere is the divide between the mainstream and the underground greater than in hip-hop. While most hip-hop fans nod their heads to Puff Daddy and Master P., still others take solace in the idea that artists like those who appear on Deeper Concentration exist to push the music further into the future. The artists featured on this compilation are the (presently) unknown saviors of the genre: turntablist warriors like the Beat Junkies, Mix Master Mike, and Rob Swift of the X-Ecutioners; the subversive art-hop of New York City's illbient DJ Spooky (here with Organized Konfusion); and the more straightforward hip-hop of Mass Influence. It's a shame that many mainstream fans don't know about the cut-up collages of beats and pieces found on Swift's "The Age of Television" or the understated, sublime rapping of Siah and Yeshua DapoED on the aptly titled "The Cure for Stagnation." And unlike in mainstream rap and hip-hop, here the chasm between electronic and hip-hop closes: jungle and dub inch their way next to slow breakbeats while weird, off-kilter rhythms supply a purely instrumental soundtrack and--surprise!--they don't feel a bit out of place next to the rapping and scratching. --Tricia Romano
Patrick G. Varine | Georgetown, Delaware | 10/25/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While it might not be quite as groundbreaking as it's predecessor, Deeper Concentration, Vol. 2 is just as innnovative as the first installment. This version places much more emphasis on rapping than the expanding instrumentals on the first volume. For the most part, the lyricists hold it down (the highlight being Siah and Yeshua DapoED's "The Cure for Stagnation"). A special treat comes in the form of "Liquidized Language," featuring a trio of British MCs who rip it just as hard as any Brooklyn head ever did. The instrumentals are also mind-blowing at times. J-Boogie's "Ritual of the Nile" is probably the best track on the whole disc, using an Indian melody and building it into a funky percussive jam. This CD has it's downfalls, though. While the idea behind Rob Swift's "The Age of Television" is great, the music backing the sample timeline is mediocre at best, as is the syncopated piano boredom of Mass Influence's contribution to the album. But for the most part, innovation + technique + Technics = Deeper Concentration, Vol. 2... pick it up."
A head-nodder with sonic complexity
L. Clotman | Philly, PA | 11/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the future of hip hop. Musical fusion, without pop simplicity. Here, you'll find some of the world's finest DJs and DJ crews mixing vocal and instrumental samples with some original beats to create the progressive hip hop sound you've been searching for. If you like the Invisibl crew, Beat Junkies, Z-trip, Shadow, DJ Craze, Primo, material from the Return of the DJ series Rob Swift and the rest of the X-ecutioners, you'll love this. If you've never heard of the aformentioned, then you're probably not ready for this album. I especially like the big band sound from track 4 (or is it 5?) combined with that big beat. Lovely. I promise you, this purchase will be money well-spent."
Proverbs for lacey racecar drivers backwards.
Michael De | St Andrews, Scotland | 08/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This mix makes no sense. How can someone put together a compilation with such mastery and sheer genius and not be awarded something far greater than a measly Nobel Prize? Each cut on this CD will have you pinching your nipples and running from the cops with a backpack full of spray cans. And if your parents catch you coming home late at night with a bag full of rattling cans, if they've heard this mix, they will understand. You will bond."
A True Cure For Stagnation
Luke_Freedman@hotmail.com | Cambridge enGLAND | 06/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is a true cure for stagnation in the world of flossy jiggy rap .In an age of hiphop where to be a star you have to make enemys drive a benz smoke blunts and drink champaigne i was beginning to worry about where hip hop in general was going .The beats are refreshing the rhymes are funky the instrumentals and samples are dope this album rules. The clear highlight was Siah annd yeshua dapoeds cure for stagnation . if you liked these check REFLECTION ETERNAL and DIAMOND. a brilliantly made album but WARNING . If you are a fan of BAD BoY , Death Row , Master P etc do not buy this as you would be wasting the valuable cash which could help buy that benz and eventualy lead you to rap superstardom. EENNGGLLAANNDD RREEPPRRAAZZEENNTT......"
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1
