B.O.B Kojak - Block Monsta

by Halo

(Rating *****)

Just another day in the Wrecshop chillin; listening to the Block Monsta LP by Pamona's own Bob Kojak.  I have to give it up to the Cali playa, this is definitely that LP you bump through the blocks...in a 76 Sedan Deville with a joint in the ashtray or somethin'.  With tracks like "All I know" and "Fiends not Fans", it looks like he's coming with that fire for the people.  Though a few tracks could've been mixed better; overall, I like the energy of this LP; from the heavy guitars to the witty samples. 

Statik Selektah -  Stick to the script

by Geoff Carlvin 

(Rating *****) 

Yeah I know I been kind of quiet as of late but you don't want to hear my excuses you want the album review and here it goes.  I meant to have this article completed almost a month ago but these things take time and mostly I've been lazy but this is a dope album and Statik Selektah does his best DJ Premier impression on the album.

This album has a little something for everybody by featuring a wide assortment of guests from Termanology (Boston's best kept secret) to Peedi Crakk and Freeway. Overall this album is a pretty solid selection, however there are a few missteps here and there. Consequences contribution to the album is pretty forgettable as well as the M.O.P. and Jadakiss track for the city, not because of their lyrical content (Jada and M.O.P). rarely dissapoint me but that beat on the track is annoying as hell to me.

There are a few gems on this album that deserve a repeat listen. Overall this album made me happy as a hip hop fan, although it isn't as consistent as his debut "Spell My Name Right" it is still a banger and worth coppin in this shitty economy.

Stand out Tracks:
* So Good (Live from the Bar) - Naeledge, Reks, and C.L. Smooth
*Cali Nights- Mistah F.A.B., Glasses Malone, Novel
* Talkin Bout You Ladies- Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, Talib Kweli

Forgettable tracks
*For the City- M.O.P. and Jadakiss
*Mr. Popularity- Consequence

by Damien Watts

Exile - Radio

by Aaron Nino

(Rating *****)

As I walked up and down the isles of  Zia records I was overwhelmed with over commercialized watered down hip hop. Up the isle, down the isle, up the isle, down the isle, the repetition turned into boredom and I began gearing up for an empty handed trip out the store, when I suddenly came across an eerily intriguing album cover of stereo speakers forming a makeshift cross. Little did I know, the album I had just picked up and hurriedly slammed into my car cd player was the most innovative and inspiring collection of music I had purchased by a beatsmith since Dilla's Dounuts.

The album I picked up was called Radio, properly titled by the way because from the cover down to the very last song on the track, this old school southern California producer/ occasional rapper maintained "that" very theme throughout. Right from the first track "Frequency Modulation" Exiles track gives you the feeling as if your turning on your car stereo and stumble across an eclectic station filled with frequency sounds that intertwine with the beat. Then he brings you into his world and its as if your radio  takes control of the station. He combines old school 90's samples, with a variety of hidden rhythms, such as the theme from the nutcracker  in "Population Control."

The beauty of this album lies within Exiles ability to mix modern sounds and beats with groundbreaking and experimental samples like he did on "The sound is God" combining trumpets, chants, harps, and clips of old radio personalities and broadcasters to once again give you the feel as if your taking a journey into radio land.

Toward the end of the album Exile slows the record down a bit with tracks like "Love Line," and "Stay Tuned Here," however the soft sultry sounds in my opinion round out this album very well, showing a more complex side of the producer. All in all this albums a great find for a fan of true hip hop music, and it truly showcases the talent of an old school artist who continuly finds new ways to reinvent himself and his music.

Eminem - Relapse

by Aaron Nino

(Rating *****)

P.O.S - Never Better

by Damien Watts

(Rating *****) 

In a time where we see a plethora of rap/rock collaborations and even more groups adopting this new trend, you can hear the watering down of Rick Rubin’s brainchild….until now. P.O.S doesn’t try to use rock/punk riffs and pass them off as his interpretation of Hip Hop but instead he allows those sounds to stand true to their genre and allows his words to show his Hip Hop influence. On the new album “Never Better”, P.O.S shows you why he has never been better. 

The first single off of the album is “Drumroll”. I have to admit this is my favorite song off of the album (so far) because it displays why P.O.S is so different from other rap/rock acts. The drums on the track are crazy. It’s like Outkast’s B.O.B drums but on methamphetamines. The guitar riffs are grimey, unapologetic and stand out like a sore thumb. P.O.S. keeps up with an intense rapid-fire flow and precise delivery that many couldn’t pull off. 

Savion Glover is another track on the album which sounds more like traditional Hip Hop. Although it is not very long in length, the flow is nice and the scratching and the beat reminds you of an early 90’s track (which I love). I would almost say it’s a party cut but P.O.S does keep it political and comments on how the government gets away with everything. 

Overall, “Never Better” is an album that you the average Hip Hop head will have to open to accept. It isn’t your tradition Hip Hop album or your traditional rap/rock collaboration. It’s innovative and probably will have to grow on you. After listening to this album several times I find myself liking different songs every time depending on my mood. That to me is the mark of a good album. Don’t sleep on P.O.S.