Gemcee
03-20-2008, 06:35 PM
So this was the part that I put together for the Yearbook...a long time ago. I'm gonna post it because I want to--enjoy.
So I have compiled a list of the top Underground Albums of 2007. It was tough to limit my selections because I thought it was a great year for albums and there were alot of suggestions. I recruited Amo the Ew and DannyRux to help me out with a few of them so that was nice.I also snuck in a Canadian cuz he's gonna take over the U.S like Pam Anderson...with less chest.
The Amazon links are cool cuz if you are cheap and don't own any of these albums and don't trust my judgement,you can scroll to the bottom and do the amazon song preview thing. Everybody wins. Enjoy the best of '07..I did. If you don't like my list..you can go suck a nut....and then you can add whoever you like in a post with your own album review.....cuz ya just gotta supprt UG!
Y Society’s “Travel At Your Own Pace”
imghttp://img299.imageshack.us/img299/2337/138972ao6.jpg
I copped this from a friend who insisted it was one of the best albums they had bought--period. Of course I was hesitant--I'd never heard of them, never seen a video--not one promonently displayed abum review--and then I listened to it. I love the old school feel mixed with some fantastic jazzy production and great lyrical thoughts. It is an incredible debut release from "The Best New Group Noone has Heard of." Damu the Fudgmunk and Insight both appreciate funk, jazz and good beats and samples--lyrics are intelligent and fresh. I can't help but be reminded of old Pete rock joints. Tighten up your backpack straps and go buy this album...because it's sick as a whole, not just because you heard it's good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT_rm6EbeIU&feature=related
http://www.mp3.com/albums/20147514/summary.html?tag=albums;img&om_act=convert&om_clk=artalb
Listen to--Setting the Example, This Advice, At your own pace
Sage Francis "Human the Death Dance"
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/3593/humanthedeathdanceartwocb3.jpg
To say this album is good enough to write a novel sized review would be an understatement. However, for the sake of the yearbook, I'll exercise restraint.
Sage does it again for the '07 year with yet another masterpiece. With well respected producers (Anticon, Re-Animater, and Buck 65 to name a few) that equip Sage with a perfect canvas to paint his lyrical scenery, this album is sure to stay in your CD player for a long time. Also, for the die hard Sage Francis fans he touches on some of his past, and how he came to be.
This album blends thoughful with movement, flow with energy, and delivery with syncapation. A perfect mesh of story telling and hardcore hip hop to allow a variety of hip hop fans to thuroughly enjoy.
Whether you have followed Sage since his original band A.O.I. (Art Official Intelligence) from back in the late '90's, or recently heard his name and want to check him out, this album is definetly the way to go.
To check out the headlining video for "Got Up This Morning" go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvMhk72B08o
Scribble Jam 2000 (Sage Francis's year):
*Not related to the album, just cool to see*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixz2AiTWoGU Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBNwkYpfx8o Part 2
Sages fanspace (Alot of good tracks):
http://www.myspace.com/sagefrancis
--Dannyruxspin
Panacea’s “The Scenic Route”
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/4710/thescenicroutenx7.jpg
You want some feel good lyricism? Reminiscent of the Pharcyde or Jurrasic 5? You hoppin on a bus for a ride to school or hittin up the car on a long road trip? You need to cop this album.Then you need to go and buy last years album --Ink is my Drink. Now you can just listen to Mc Raw Poetic as he spits some hot, fresh and thoughtful lyrics..complimented by clean crisp new beats laced with nice samples and sweet jazzy undertones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utmjd-NJ81k
Listen to-Epiphany ,Blue Ice, Pops Said
http://www.amazon.com/Scenic-Route-Panacea/dp/B000I5YVNE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1201493029&sr=1-1
Army of the Pharaohs – Ritual of Battle
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/769/51rjkwxoodlss500ub9.jpg
Following the successful 'Torture Papers' album previous year, the JMT frontman Vinnie Pazz, has decided to refresh the roster of the supergroup with new names. Doap Nixon and Demoz plus the most popular member Apathy was busy while recording, so he's not even on this album. The concept of this album as basicly the same as it's predecesor's. Pseudo-epic production and punchline lyrics as the title itself represents. Though this time, production is much more complete, much more interesting (including samples from video game Castlevania), though levels are way different from song to song; But still, album is missing such song as 'Battle Cry' from previous album, that lifts up the album's perfection. This time, no Battle Cry, but more minor potential hits with strong battle, pose cut and manifest of power in the underground, themes.
Perhaps the best track is 'Seven', where almost the whole team grabs their mics, spitting truly from their gutt. Vinnie Paz shines here again, hungrier than ever, with his typical filthy-underground-gangstarism-containing lyrics mixed with weird attacking humor.
'Don't Cry' ,one of shinning stars on album, is a deviation from battle rap song and mastered to perfection. Also songs like 'D & D' and 'Swords Drawn' are pure Wu-Tang style bangers, with great production (and 7L wasnt even on this album). Planetary, Celph Titled and mostly Esoteric, who throws some of his greatest lines written, are a great team for, not so much strong by production, but great in punchlines track 'Dump the Clip'.
The lead single of song is 'Blody Tears' for which a video can be seen here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xTg-rW3JFeY
The weakest point off album is the concept itself, battle raps without a real concept, but manifest of supremacy. Nevertheless, material delivered is very similar to the great Torture Papers and new members and team-ups refresh such songs, making this album one of the best rap albums of 2007 and topping the Hardocore rap scene
-Amo the Ew
Shad -The Old Prince
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/6482/29512ip9.jpg
Shad is one of my Canadian Up n' comers...he's been around for awhile but is breakin out. This has gotta be one of the strongest Canadian hip hop albums ever made. That's a big feat for someone who is virtually unknown.The album is dope. Alot of the YouTube clips are of him playing acoustic and doing spoken word which, I thought was kinda cheesy--but then realized that he totally grew on me. "The Old Prince Still Lives at Home" is a pretty funny track, Shad talks about being broke and when the beat drops out and he raps Acappella because he can't afford the full instrumental. A really light, yet solid album .
http://www.myspace.com/shad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEanBWXB8Lo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzQ1Lc9hfgE
Listen to: Get up, The old prince still lives at home, Compromise
http://sms.napster.com/duet/sampler/sampler.html?opcode=search&type=album&id=12634336&class=album&artist_id=12176467&album_id=12634336
Black Milk - Popular demand
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/192/51x1g2wbg8lss400dx7.jpg
The reason I copped this album on vinyl was for the instrumental track Dirty Horns which I remixed and it is just such a sick dirty beat that it makes me kind of horny...cough..get it, Dirty Horns. Is this thing On? He used to make beats for Slum Village. I don't normally mess with alotta JDilla/Slum Village type shit-- Its not fuckin rocket science, the concepts and themes are pretty basic..I'm just a sucker for nice instrumentals. On a whole, totally worthy of the title of one of the years best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU0FmHg5WCc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVk3T6gjW0c&feature=related
Listen to- Sound of the City, So Gone, Dirty Horns
http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Demand-Black-Milk/dp/B000MV8CZ2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1199116771&sr=1-1
Brother Ali-Undisputed truth
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/5223/truthcoverae5.jpg
What Brother Ali haven't I liked? Seriously,if there is one guy who is consistently on a UG heads' list, it's this guy. My love for him also stems from Ants production cuz I love those old school soul samples and catchy beats. The guy is deep, he's intelligent, hes conscious--he's got some serious hip hop soul. Being on Rhymesayers ensures that Dibbs or someone has made ya some nice beats and shit you've never heard before-This album delves into Ali's life..his wife, son, faith, insecurities--Its real..Letter form the Government is about the only track I skip over cuz I just find it kinda boring and tedious to listen to.....but that's just me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxUQ07NXB4c
Listen to -Here, The Puzzle, Ear to Ear
http://www.amazon.com/Undisputed-Truth-Brother-Ali/dp/B000NQR7QG
"I'll Sleep When Your Dead"-El Producto
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6126/elpsleepao1.jpg
“Drive”: “I’m not depressed. I’m just a fuckin’ New Yorker who knows that sittin’ in traffic with these bastards is torture.”
I love this guy--Every interview, he has a sense of humour-- intellectual, cryptic,eccentric, and agressive.. beats and production are fresh and new-- he is unlike anyone out there right now and I hated the album. The problem is..I put this cd on for many of my friends and they love it..I put it on for myself and I find myself getting annoyed at the sounds--I love the guys lyrics..I really hate the sound. Why? I don't fuckin know. Hey,El P's gotten doper and doper--I know its on many peoples lists of best Ug so--Ima put it down...but I don't have to like it.
Listen to--No Kings, EMG
http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Sleep-When-Youre-Dead/dp/B000MM0KXS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1201492000&sr=1-1
So I have compiled a list of the top Underground Albums of 2007. It was tough to limit my selections because I thought it was a great year for albums and there were alot of suggestions. I recruited Amo the Ew and DannyRux to help me out with a few of them so that was nice.I also snuck in a Canadian cuz he's gonna take over the U.S like Pam Anderson...with less chest.
The Amazon links are cool cuz if you are cheap and don't own any of these albums and don't trust my judgement,you can scroll to the bottom and do the amazon song preview thing. Everybody wins. Enjoy the best of '07..I did. If you don't like my list..you can go suck a nut....and then you can add whoever you like in a post with your own album review.....cuz ya just gotta supprt UG!
Y Society’s “Travel At Your Own Pace”
imghttp://img299.imageshack.us/img299/2337/138972ao6.jpg
I copped this from a friend who insisted it was one of the best albums they had bought--period. Of course I was hesitant--I'd never heard of them, never seen a video--not one promonently displayed abum review--and then I listened to it. I love the old school feel mixed with some fantastic jazzy production and great lyrical thoughts. It is an incredible debut release from "The Best New Group Noone has Heard of." Damu the Fudgmunk and Insight both appreciate funk, jazz and good beats and samples--lyrics are intelligent and fresh. I can't help but be reminded of old Pete rock joints. Tighten up your backpack straps and go buy this album...because it's sick as a whole, not just because you heard it's good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT_rm6EbeIU&feature=related
http://www.mp3.com/albums/20147514/summary.html?tag=albums;img&om_act=convert&om_clk=artalb
Listen to--Setting the Example, This Advice, At your own pace
Sage Francis "Human the Death Dance"
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/3593/humanthedeathdanceartwocb3.jpg
To say this album is good enough to write a novel sized review would be an understatement. However, for the sake of the yearbook, I'll exercise restraint.
Sage does it again for the '07 year with yet another masterpiece. With well respected producers (Anticon, Re-Animater, and Buck 65 to name a few) that equip Sage with a perfect canvas to paint his lyrical scenery, this album is sure to stay in your CD player for a long time. Also, for the die hard Sage Francis fans he touches on some of his past, and how he came to be.
This album blends thoughful with movement, flow with energy, and delivery with syncapation. A perfect mesh of story telling and hardcore hip hop to allow a variety of hip hop fans to thuroughly enjoy.
Whether you have followed Sage since his original band A.O.I. (Art Official Intelligence) from back in the late '90's, or recently heard his name and want to check him out, this album is definetly the way to go.
To check out the headlining video for "Got Up This Morning" go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvMhk72B08o
Scribble Jam 2000 (Sage Francis's year):
*Not related to the album, just cool to see*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixz2AiTWoGU Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBNwkYpfx8o Part 2
Sages fanspace (Alot of good tracks):
http://www.myspace.com/sagefrancis
--Dannyruxspin
Panacea’s “The Scenic Route”
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/4710/thescenicroutenx7.jpg
You want some feel good lyricism? Reminiscent of the Pharcyde or Jurrasic 5? You hoppin on a bus for a ride to school or hittin up the car on a long road trip? You need to cop this album.Then you need to go and buy last years album --Ink is my Drink. Now you can just listen to Mc Raw Poetic as he spits some hot, fresh and thoughtful lyrics..complimented by clean crisp new beats laced with nice samples and sweet jazzy undertones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utmjd-NJ81k
Listen to-Epiphany ,Blue Ice, Pops Said
http://www.amazon.com/Scenic-Route-Panacea/dp/B000I5YVNE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1201493029&sr=1-1
Army of the Pharaohs – Ritual of Battle
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/769/51rjkwxoodlss500ub9.jpg
Following the successful 'Torture Papers' album previous year, the JMT frontman Vinnie Pazz, has decided to refresh the roster of the supergroup with new names. Doap Nixon and Demoz plus the most popular member Apathy was busy while recording, so he's not even on this album. The concept of this album as basicly the same as it's predecesor's. Pseudo-epic production and punchline lyrics as the title itself represents. Though this time, production is much more complete, much more interesting (including samples from video game Castlevania), though levels are way different from song to song; But still, album is missing such song as 'Battle Cry' from previous album, that lifts up the album's perfection. This time, no Battle Cry, but more minor potential hits with strong battle, pose cut and manifest of power in the underground, themes.
Perhaps the best track is 'Seven', where almost the whole team grabs their mics, spitting truly from their gutt. Vinnie Paz shines here again, hungrier than ever, with his typical filthy-underground-gangstarism-containing lyrics mixed with weird attacking humor.
'Don't Cry' ,one of shinning stars on album, is a deviation from battle rap song and mastered to perfection. Also songs like 'D & D' and 'Swords Drawn' are pure Wu-Tang style bangers, with great production (and 7L wasnt even on this album). Planetary, Celph Titled and mostly Esoteric, who throws some of his greatest lines written, are a great team for, not so much strong by production, but great in punchlines track 'Dump the Clip'.
The lead single of song is 'Blody Tears' for which a video can be seen here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xTg-rW3JFeY
The weakest point off album is the concept itself, battle raps without a real concept, but manifest of supremacy. Nevertheless, material delivered is very similar to the great Torture Papers and new members and team-ups refresh such songs, making this album one of the best rap albums of 2007 and topping the Hardocore rap scene
-Amo the Ew
Shad -The Old Prince
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/6482/29512ip9.jpg
Shad is one of my Canadian Up n' comers...he's been around for awhile but is breakin out. This has gotta be one of the strongest Canadian hip hop albums ever made. That's a big feat for someone who is virtually unknown.The album is dope. Alot of the YouTube clips are of him playing acoustic and doing spoken word which, I thought was kinda cheesy--but then realized that he totally grew on me. "The Old Prince Still Lives at Home" is a pretty funny track, Shad talks about being broke and when the beat drops out and he raps Acappella because he can't afford the full instrumental. A really light, yet solid album .
http://www.myspace.com/shad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEanBWXB8Lo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzQ1Lc9hfgE
Listen to: Get up, The old prince still lives at home, Compromise
http://sms.napster.com/duet/sampler/sampler.html?opcode=search&type=album&id=12634336&class=album&artist_id=12176467&album_id=12634336
Black Milk - Popular demand
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/192/51x1g2wbg8lss400dx7.jpg
The reason I copped this album on vinyl was for the instrumental track Dirty Horns which I remixed and it is just such a sick dirty beat that it makes me kind of horny...cough..get it, Dirty Horns. Is this thing On? He used to make beats for Slum Village. I don't normally mess with alotta JDilla/Slum Village type shit-- Its not fuckin rocket science, the concepts and themes are pretty basic..I'm just a sucker for nice instrumentals. On a whole, totally worthy of the title of one of the years best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU0FmHg5WCc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVk3T6gjW0c&feature=related
Listen to- Sound of the City, So Gone, Dirty Horns
http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Demand-Black-Milk/dp/B000MV8CZ2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1199116771&sr=1-1
Brother Ali-Undisputed truth
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/5223/truthcoverae5.jpg
What Brother Ali haven't I liked? Seriously,if there is one guy who is consistently on a UG heads' list, it's this guy. My love for him also stems from Ants production cuz I love those old school soul samples and catchy beats. The guy is deep, he's intelligent, hes conscious--he's got some serious hip hop soul. Being on Rhymesayers ensures that Dibbs or someone has made ya some nice beats and shit you've never heard before-This album delves into Ali's life..his wife, son, faith, insecurities--Its real..Letter form the Government is about the only track I skip over cuz I just find it kinda boring and tedious to listen to.....but that's just me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxUQ07NXB4c
Listen to -Here, The Puzzle, Ear to Ear
http://www.amazon.com/Undisputed-Truth-Brother-Ali/dp/B000NQR7QG
"I'll Sleep When Your Dead"-El Producto
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6126/elpsleepao1.jpg
“Drive”: “I’m not depressed. I’m just a fuckin’ New Yorker who knows that sittin’ in traffic with these bastards is torture.”
I love this guy--Every interview, he has a sense of humour-- intellectual, cryptic,eccentric, and agressive.. beats and production are fresh and new-- he is unlike anyone out there right now and I hated the album. The problem is..I put this cd on for many of my friends and they love it..I put it on for myself and I find myself getting annoyed at the sounds--I love the guys lyrics..I really hate the sound. Why? I don't fuckin know. Hey,El P's gotten doper and doper--I know its on many peoples lists of best Ug so--Ima put it down...but I don't have to like it.
Listen to--No Kings, EMG
http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Sleep-When-Youre-Dead/dp/B000MM0KXS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1201492000&sr=1-1