Search - Carlos Mena :: Hip-Hop Meditations

Hip-Hop Meditations
Carlos Mena
Hip-Hop Meditations
Genres: Dance & Electronic, New Age, Rap & Hip-Hop
 
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #1

ABOUT Hip-Hop Meditations Hip-Hop Meditations is a record that gives you an opportunity to reflect on spirit, and life while listening to hip-hop music. It is first and foremost a hip-hop record, but not in the contempor...  more »

     

CD Details

All Artists: Carlos Mena
Title: Hip-Hop Meditations
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: CASAMENA
Release Date: 5/18/2004
Genres: Dance & Electronic, New Age, Rap & Hip-Hop
Style: Experimental Rap
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 789077003328

Synopsis

Album Description
ABOUT Hip-Hop Meditations Hip-Hop Meditations is a record that gives you an opportunity to reflect on spirit, and life while listening to hip-hop music. It is first and foremost a hip-hop record, but not in the contemporary sense, it actually has something to say, and provides the listener with tools to look within and connect with the universe. It navigates through themes of love, spirit, and universal energy with organic sounds and driving beats. Beats that include traditional African bata drums used in Lucumi (Orisha worship) ceremonies. This record is truly a journey and the documentation of Carlos' own spiritual awakening as the project was recorded as more of a musical journal over the last 2 years. It includes the musical souls that have come into his life as collaborators and it reflects his idea of everything being interconnected with the gentle layering of sounds and inclusion of so many voices and spirits. The collaborations with Michael Spiro on Bata and Conga drums point to exciting musical possibilities where they may continue on this path of gentle, and respect filled rhythmic experimentation. The spoken word work on this record is quite different from other spoken word work in that the music and sounds have been applied with purpose to each line pulling the listener in. Carlos guides you on a real journey and leaves you at peace.
 

CD Reviews

Not your average hip hop
Sarita Kalu | 06/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a long time hip-hop fan, it's hard not to be judgemental about the cookie cutter music being forced upon us. But just when I decide to retreat to my pre-1992 cocoon, I come across a dope artist that reminds me of why I love hip hop. Hip Hop Meditations gets back to hip hop's roots of drawing upon its surroundings and standing up for something beyond mere loot, which gets reflected here. Beyond the boom bap, Carlos draws heavily upon Afro-Cuban traditions, which considering hip hop's roots in the Caribbean, should be done more often. Speech from Arrested Development is a guest here, and I was intrigued enough to look him up and get reintroduced to a guy I thought had essentially retired from the game. (My bad). Carlos has a couple of new releases coming up soon featuring Zion I and Tre Hardson, formerly of the Pharcyde. I can hardly wait..."
Fantastic
Sarita Kalu | St. Louis, Mo United States | 02/26/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I just got this cd not knowing what to expect. I am so pleased I followed my spirit and got it. The music is excellent. The lyrics are powerful and full of meaning. It is spoken word hip hop, jazz, orisha chants,and funky beats to bring it together. But more than that, it is Pure Spirit. Only one request for the next one. Can a sistah get some Shango energy up in there. Cabio sele' Sango.

Ashe"
All of the above and then some
Alphamale999 | Uptown, always funky fresh | 08/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having been a NYC hip hop fan for over 20 years, since the Funky Four plus One More, there is nothing more boring than the cash cow formula music on hip hop radio today. It's a scam for surburbia, they don't know any better, so they just keep throwing money at it. There is no message, no meaning and no real hard core beats. It has become a genre where you can maybe get 1 solid hard core CD a year (and we are going back many years now)at this point. Where are the old school, hard core beats, deep meaning to stimulate the music in the message??



Right here on this CD. One of the best of the year."