After a slow start, the summer finally kicked into high gear with the release of a plethora of hip-hop CDs. Helping themselves out the most is the entire Weathermen/Mhz crew, who are establishing themselves as the possible next generation Wu-Tang Clan. With debut solo albums released by battle rapper Copywrite (The Highly Exhaulted), possibly psychotic Cage (Movies For The Blind), eccentric Def Jux front man El-P (Fantastic Damage) and talented producer RJD2 (Dead Ringer), the Weathermen have their eyes set on a hip-hop monopoly.
A couple of overseas albums have also managed to create a buzz. The Live At Home EP release from U.K. producer Richy Pitch, featuring the likes of Asheru and J-Live, has kept the tradition of good U.K. production set by The Creators and The Nextmen Alive. The DK Phluids compilation introduced American fans to hip-hop acts from Denmark. Particularly impressive on that CD was Delireeus, a two-man group whose single \Right Where?"" has been getting spins all over the world.
This summer has also seen the return of the infamous DJ Jazzy Jeff, whose solo release The Magnificent is the latest of the Beat Generation series that already includes albums from the likes of Will.I.Am, Marley Marl, Jay Dee and Pete Rock. Here are a few of the other notable releases.
I.N.I
(Soul Brother)
This CD is a true gem in every sense of the word. What we have here is Pete Rock, his younger brother Grap Luva and Rob-O combining to create one of the most satisfying hip-hop albums of the last several years. What makes this album so excellent is that it is not actually a new album, but rather one that was created in '95-'96, when rap styles were still being created, not copied. After Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth broke up, Rock hooked up with his brother and Rob-O, formed I.N.I, signed on to Elektra Records and created this masterpiece. Unfortunately, Elektra never released it, choosing instead to jock more radio-friendly artists like Busta Rhymes. Needless to say, the album was permanently shelved, only to be released years later on Soul Brother Records.
Center of Attention is a 65-minute-long breath of fresh air, full of 16 Pete Rock-produced cuts crafted during the prime of his career. Really, not much more needs to be said to establish this album's credibility. From the jazzy piano sound of ""Grown Man Sport"" to the addictive drum loop heard on the title track, ""Center of Attention"" is an album that needs to be in any collection. With solid vocal performances from every member, plus cameos from Q-Tip and Large Professor to boot, it is well worth anyone's time and energy to try and find this work of art.
RJD2
(Def Jux)
Following the release of Table Scraps, the debut album from his crew MHz, and his underrated EP Your Face Or Your Kneecaps, RJD2 finally gets a true platform to show his skills with his first full length album, Dead Ringer. Though RJ had a growing fan base from his teaser instrumentals on Def Jux Presents 1 & 2, this release has officially taken the underground super-producer from unheralded to well-known and highly respected. Using the MPC2000 as his brush and easel, RJD2 has effectively taken sampling to new heights that even DJ Shadow couldn't fathom.
The album is primarily composed of instrumentals, which may turn some hip-hop heads off. Each beat on this album is creatively and sophistically layered, and is always changing. On songs like the uplifting ""Ghostwriter"" or the addicting ""2 More Dead,"" RJ effectively sets the tone of the song, builds up its momentum by adding and changing samples, then blows the track up into a climax of wild and vivid sound. But where most instrumentals get repetitive and boring, RJD2 always forces the listener to stay on their toes. Each beat on this album is creatively and sophistically layered, and is always changing.
On the tracks with vocals, the production steps to the background while RJ's Weathermen/MHz family are allowed to take the driver's seat. Blueprint (who with RJD2 make up the group Soul Position) rips a comparatively simpler but no less entertaining beat on ""Final Frontier"" while Jakki calls out all the fake emcees in the industry in a convincing and original manner on ""F.H.H"". On ""June,"" hardcore wordsmith Copywrite even trades in his vicious battle raps for two sentimental verses about his father that give the poignant beat he rides on a voice. The diverse emotions felt from each track on this album are so real that ""Dead Ringer"" could be a great soundtrack for life itself.
Slum Village
(Capitol)
The second official release from Detroit's Slum Village is worlds away from their 1999 debut, Fantastic Vol. 2. Original member and producer Jay Dee, once the heart and soul of the group, decided to back off this time and hand the direction over to remaining members T3 and Baatin. On this album, he only produces three songs and is more a guest than a core member. Replacing him is the very lyrical Elzhi, who coincidentally was first heard on Jay Dee's Beat Generation solo disc, ""Welcome 2 Detroit."" The tradeoff for the group is they lose one of the best producers in hip-hop, but gain an up and coming and verbally gifted emcee.
The rebuilt structure of the group brings about a brand new sound, but one that can easily be traced back to the original vibe of Slum. Baatin and T3, who were always standing in the long shadow of Jay Dee, now get the opportunity of full creative control. They decided to hand over the production duties to a host of lesser known beatmakers, including T3 himself. Although there were numerous producers who worked on the album, ""Trinity"" has surprisingly great continuity along with a minimalist vibe that is more of a mutated form of the ""Fantastic"" sound rather than something completely different.
On songs like ""Disco,"" ""Harmony"" and ""Get Live,"" all three emcees flawlessly ride upbeat, bumping production. Of course, with T3 and Baatin at the helm, smooth, laid back tracks like the Jay Dee produced ""Hoes,"" ""La La"" and their first single ""Tainted"" were a foregone conclusion. On the whole, with Jay Dee in the background, ""Trinity"" is a brand new direction for Slum Village. But whether the new direction is a step forward or a step backward depends on the individual listener.
