Brother Ali – The Undisputed Truth

My review for the so far highly acclaimed, The Undisputed Truth, is up at Certified Hip Hop. CHH is leaving the blog format and becoming a real site very soon (next few days probably). Read The Review || Direct Link

Robert Glasper – In My Element

I usually write a more lengthy review, but I’m not going to lie – I’m not the biggest jazz consumer. My review wouldn’t be very insightful and/or fun to read. So I’m just going to highly recommend Robert Glasper’s new album, In My Element. I have only given focused and devoted listens to a few jazz albums in my lifetime, but from what I’ve heard In My Element is an unbelievably good album. Just like most jazz albums, it will be a great accommodation in your car stereo past 10:00 PM. Rain will add to the scene too. I give the album a 9/10. 

– Totally unrelated to the topic, but can you guys believe the reviews The Undisputed Truth is getting? Hip Hop DX gave it a 5/5 (they also gave Idlewild a 5). Prefix gave it a 9/10. My review will be posted very soon.

El-P – I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead

El-P // I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead // Definitive Jux // Release Date: March 20, 2007

To say El-P is different from the rest of the hip hop population is the same as saying Straight Outta Compton had some raw lyrics. The Def Jux label head has always stood out from the rest of the pack beginning with Company Flow’s Funcrusher Plus all the way to his debut solo album, Fantastic Damage. I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead is no different.

Devin The Dude – Waitin’ To Inhale

Devin The Dude // Waitin’ To Inhale // Rap-a-Lot // Release Date: March 20, 2007

The most important aspect of hip hop is keeping it real. Unfortunately, there are loads of MCs in the current hip hop population who stray from that idea to rack in the bucks. I call these people fluff. Fortunately, there are characters like Devin The Dude that revive our love for the genre. The Houston rapper is back in full form on Waitin’ To Inhale.

Quick Reviews: Ola Podrida, Secretary Bird

Ola Podrida // Ola Podrida // Plug Research // Release Date: April 24, 2007

Singer/songwriter David Wingo got his ticket to fame by composing the music behind all of David Gordon Green’s films. But Wingo left the New York City buzz, and returned back to his old stomping grounds of Austin, Texas. There he and some friends began recording under the name Ola Podrida.

Timbaland – Timbaland Presents: Shock Value

Timbaland // Timbaland Presents: Shock Value // Interscope Records // Release Date: April 3, 2007

After a near ten year hiatus from his solo career, Timbaland’s solo career is back in motion. Timbo owned the radio waves last year by producing almost the entirety of both Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake’s new records.

Young Buck – Buck The World

Young Buck // Buck The World // G-Unit Records // Release Date: March 27, 2007

The empire that was G-Unit, has lost it’s touch. After Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, and the Game all sold past or near the 1 million mark, and 50 selling around 10 million, G-Unit looked unstoppable. But oh how the tides have changed. Lloyd Banks bricked, new employee Mobb Deep flopped, the Game bailed, and Tony Yayo is in all sorts of trouble with the law, including a recent report saying he jumped a 14 year old kid, who was the son of one the heads of Czar Entertainment – a G-Unit rival.

Album Reviews: Gui Boratto and Pantha du Prince

Gui Boratto – Chromophobia (Kompakt)

By Ryan Lowe

For a lot of people, techno is a really really dirty word. It brings to mind a range of different things, everything from the stylings of a one C+C Music Factory in the early 90’s, to Madonna’s recent music. Regardless of public perception, it represents a shit ton of really interesting and artfully crafted music, great for home listening, or for dancing to in the club. It also represents a shit ton of terrible, campy, and mindless music, but every genre has its good and bad.

Arts the Beatdoctor – Transitions

Arts the Beatdoctor // Transitions // P-Vine Records // Release Date:  February 2, 2007 (Japan only)

It is neither hot or cold in Cincinnati right now. The stars are in full effect, with a slight breeze creeping inside my window. Nothing fits the scene more than Art the Beatdoctor’s debut album, Transitions.

Black Milk – Popular Demand

Black Milk // Popular Demand // Fat Beats // Release Date: March 13, 2007

Detroit took some blows last year, with the untimely deaths of J Dilla and Proof, and also Eminem officialy calling it quits. The news of all of the above shook up the hip hop scene of the Motor City. Dilla and Proof will be remembered forever, but Detroit is now looking for the future. The city has been searching for someone to put the D on their back. Black Milk may just be that guy.