LISTED REVIEWS
This CD-only release is a compilation with instrumentals that were already released, on albums or on 12"s, added with some exclusive beats ànd vocal versions. The tracks are smoothly mixed and therefore it seems like you're on one long joyride of mellowness, on a journey through sweet, soulful beats.
POSTED 06|19|2005
'Civil Service' is a fine album, a contribution to independent hip-hop, and fresh alternative to the non-creative, souless music that dominates the airwaves. As quoted from the promo facts sheet: 'We are fulfilling the broken promises of the Establishment. We are the the architects of our future', a promise that doesn’t seem too unrealistic.
POSTED 06|16|2005
On this effort right here, Cadence invited some of the finest underground MC's such as Esoteric, Yesh, Eddie Meeks, Mike Ladd and names from the past that must ring a bell with hip-hop addicts; former Hollywood Basic recording artists Zimbabwe Legit. The cherry on top of the cream-of-the-crop guest list is the feature of Mike G of Native Tongue's Jungle Brothers.
POSTED 06|02|2005
With his latest project, 2Mex aka Alexandro Ocano, brings together some of the Left Coast's finest producers such as DJ Khalil, Babu and Key Kool, beatsmith revelations Sa Ra Creative Partners and respected underground crafters such as Omid, Sach (LightHeaded) and Life Rexall (The Shapeshifters).
POSTED 05|30|2005
'When Push Comes To Shove' is an excellent album with a variety of incredible productions and top-notch rhymes. The LP starts in a dazzling tempo: first, there’s 'Can’t Hold on', a dedication to the salad days; 'I remember days of Kool Aid stains on the shirt' over a superb 80s disco-funk beat.
POSTED 05|30|2005
'Brain On Drugz' is a nice little album, dedicated to 'the substance that the law calls illegal'. It misses the quality of a Tuff City classic, but if they would have made a full length album it would've taken a place in hip-hop history! Must be treasured by weed smokers, Tuff City fans and hip-hop collectors.
POSTED 05|29|2005
Sublime is 'Leisure', with a guest spot by Grand Agent. This track was already released a few years ago as a 12' on Belgian label B9000. The beat is crafted by Norwegian producer The White Shadow and it's blazin: a mystic guitar loop and excellent samples scratched unto it.
POSTED 05|19|2005
An album with great vibes, the hip-hop beats are not the most original, but excellent to chill out with, relax, drink a cup of Bacardi Rhum and enjoy the early summer. 23-years of age and already doin this! For more of his influences check out the 'Outro'.
POSTED 05|15|2005
'Scars & Memories', also the title of his 2001-released underground classic 12”, is actually most of his supposed-to-release debut album of which many recordings got lost or stolen.
POSTED 05|11|2005
This album is a celebration of old school rap: for instance the magnificent ode 'Rappcats pt 3' and the multiple references such as 'we drink old gold like Mr X & Mr Z' show Madlib's love for the old days.
POSTED 05|05|2005from the vaults
