Category: On The Line

Review: Beryl Moreland & Darryl Kennedy – Last Call

Beryl Moreland & Darryl Kennedy – Last Call is a smooth subtle jazz hop album where the sounds of hip hop and jazz both each other in a blended nature. The sounds of jazz hop are always perfect for a lone cold night. Who knew that such a wonderful smooth jazz album would from Milwaukee, Wisconsin?

The upright bass on On The Edge gives the song an upbeat swing jazz vibe. Layered on top are multiple layers of instruments such as a saxophone ensemble, small bongo selection, a quadruple-layered horn selection, and some acoustics. An electric guitar is used in various places.

Black Ice driven by a heavy kick drum and relaxing melodic chimes over a G-Funk sound. Jazz and hip hop meet the sound of G-Funk on Black Ice. A powerful horn selection is used in the song.

Reggae meets the sounds of hip hop and jazz on the song Reggae Machine. The choice using an element of reggae was truly different and unique on a jazz hop album. It’s not too often you get to hear a reggae song on a jazz hop album. Reggae Machine uses a mean saxophone selection over melodic grooves. The melodic grooves are what stand out.

I rate this album 5/5*****!!

Review: The Green Eyes – Planet Of The Southeast

Planet Of The Southeast was released on New Style Records and Lite Album in 1992. Most hip hop heads, rap heads, and old heads from Southeast San Diego are very familiar with this Planet Of The Southeast album that came out on cassette. The sounds of SESD rap are funky and raw. Old school hip hop and old school rap meet funk music and dance. Also old school hip hop and old school rap meet gangsta rap of the 1990s era. Jazz meets Oldies and funk as well. The Green Eyes is a well reputed and respected OG from Southeast San Diego, California with the singles Savor The Flavor and Something To Bop To for this album.

Most of the tracks on Planet Of The Southeast are described and considered as dance music/rap tracks. They are what is considered and called neighborhood music in San Diego, California. Neighborhood music never gets old. It’s timeless. If you are a hip hop head, then you will enjoy this album. You see, The Green Eyes is an OG in the San Diego Rap scene along with DJ Candyman & Superslim, Big June, Black Mikey, Soulful Ernie, Cricet, DJ GIL, Bulldog, DJ Len C, LOD, and Silhouette. The Green Eyes has had a couple of cassettes out since the 80s and 90s.

Car Hoppers is dedicated to them Gs in their lowriders. Car Hoppers is another funky San Diego rap track filled with raw funk. The track Car Hoppers is an SESD rap classic known among old heads and OGs from the old school. Funk meets rap on Car Hoppers.

Planet Of The Southeast is laced with an Oldies Jazz sample coming with that San Diego funkiness. Take notice of the Oldies sample used on this track. That’s where San Diego’s funkiness comes from. The Green Eyes is known for his uncut authenticity and passion for rap. ”

The Green Eyes raps about the everyday life in Southeast San Diego on the track Planet Of The Southeast. He breaks it down for the Gs in the 1990s. The Green Eyes doesn’t play around with his raps. You get a slight introduction to the life he was living on Planet Of The Southeast. In 1991, The Green Eyes was escaping a federal indictment. In the early 90’s, San Diego’s gang culture was at an all time high.

Savor The Flavor is an upbeat funky rap track. The Green Eyes breaks downs and describes the rap music genre in his own words on Savor The Flavor. Rap is an art as The Green Eyes describes the rap music genre in his own words. Rap to him is considered art.

The Green Eyes breaks downs and describes his rapping techniques on Savor The Flavor. How many can really flow? The Green Eyes also raps about he does not receive any radioplay on the airwaves. This obviously upsets The Green Eyes. Rap is an art as The Green Eyes describes the rap music genre in his own words. Rap to him is considered art. The Green Eyes is known for his passion in rap. However The Green Eyes is not a battle rapper. You have to have lyrics as the trick of rap is located in the music.

In San Diego, California, US, The Green Eyes regarded as a poet. In San Diego, The Green Eyes status as a poet is regarded highly as a king. He was the ruler of the San Diego Hip Hop/Rap scene at one time from the 1980s to the 1990s. The Green Eyes has been challenged by many different poets to go line for line to see who’s lyrics are the coldest. But in every battle, you find that there’s a weakness. You need to have lyrics to get your points across. The Green Eyes is known for his uncut authenticity. Many artists want be like The Green Eyes so they copy off his style and bite his flow.

Something To Bop To is a funky rap melody track. The track itself is obviously a dance track. The track Something To Bop To is for those car hoppers in their low riders. Something To Bop To is a timeless well known Southeast San Diego rap classic in its own rightful way.

Mix funk, rap, hip hop, soul, R&B, dance, Blues, Jazz, and lounge music and have the result of the track Something To Bop To. Something To Bop To is a funky rap melody track. The track itself is obviously a dance track. The Green Eyes was inspired by the genres of hip hop/rap, R&B/soul, and dance when he composed this track. That’s clearly why dance and rap are the most prevalent genres on this particular track.

Something To Bop To was made to be a dance melody and a dance track as well. That’s why we hear the dance music genre on this particular track and that is why the dance music genre is the most prevalent here. The upbeat tempo, percussion, dance music, and funky sounds are what made Something To Bop To to be a dance track. Cleary The Green Eyes was inspired by the dance music genre when composing Something To Bop To.

The Green Eyes details how the struggle is on in Southeast San Diego. The Green Eyes details life about the struggle in rap. Samples used on the track The Struggle Is On by The Green Eyes are George Clinton – Atomic Dog and Zapp – More Bounce To The Ounce. A Jimi Hendrix sample is used laced on the hook.

Here we are on a Friday night with The Green Eyes. So now he swoops to his set to gain financial compensation (get some cash), talk shit, and kick some ass. His homeboy Burger suddenly pulls up in his great Cadillac. He had a fly ass bitch with him.

Cult following comes with the package. It come with the territory when you’re rich as The Green Eyes puts it. 30 seconds into the track and The Green Eyes describes his past criminal lifestyle. The ghetto is a trip on how things are changing especially when it comes to gangbanging. As fast as you come up is as fast you’re falling down. San Diego is a city where a street soldier must stay strong because where The Green Eyes is from, the struggle is on. (Southeast San Diego, California is what The Green Eyes describes as the Southeast Planet.)

On the hook, The Green Eyes gets into the concepts of his raps. The concepts of his raps are gangsta rap and old school rap. “If you’re going to be a soldier in these streets, stay down for yours. If not, then get out of the game.” These are The Green Eyes suggestions.

When crack began an epidemic drug problem that swept the nation of the United States, a lot of drug dealers came up. As fast as you come up is as fast you’re falling down. As fast as you rise up to powered influence in the drug ring, you fall down and face a decline in drug sales. Burglary and auto theft is common in the ghetto. The Green Eyes is so immaculate as he is from the old school.

I rate this album 5/5*****!!

Review: Caravan Palace – Panic

Caravan Palace – Panic is one of those chaotic upbeat electro swing albums which will definitely make you want to dance. You have contemporary electronic music backed with vintage sounding jazz. This is evident on songs such as Queens, Rock It For Me, Dramophone, and Glory of Nelly. The album has a futuristic theme which revolves around robots. This is evident in songs such as Panic.

This lady is on the beat as she is out and about in this borough of New York City. It’s a world where she has never been before. She is on the ramble for pleasure in search of “twins”. That is what the song Queens is about. The song is a tribute to the New York City borough called Queens. Queens is a mid tempo electro swing song with big band style production similar to 1940s jazz. Notice how the vocals are muffled due to how the treble has been reduced.

The rhyming scheme is appropriately fitting for on this song. Specifically these lyrics. “Notice how the ending words used the suffix “-amble”. “My body’s cold as I ramble/Ideas in shambles”

Queens is a place where nobody’s looking for trouble. This lady is on the beat as she is out and about in this borough of New York City. It’s a world where she has never been before. She is on the ramble for pleasure in search of “twins”. She is looking to have a threesome with twins possibly. Her body’s cold as she rambles. Those ideas of hers are in shambles. Facing walls that she never seen before. One thing this lady wonders is “Where are the dreamers gone?”.

Rock It For Me is a rambunctious electro swing song about the “bad boys” who want to fight in some brawl. However these “bad boys” aren’t as tough as they seem. They’re wimps.

All the “bad boys” want to fight in some brawl. And the girls enjoy watching the “bad boys” fight in the brawl. They feel so lucky to be able to watch the “bad boys” fight in the brawl. Yet someone is calling their mom when they lick the floor. These “bad boys” aren’t as tough as they seem. Basically they’re wimps. Look how those funky monkeys talk and walk in store. They’re lost, sad, and brawny like an apple core. Who can believe that there will be some gore? With those wimps like I said before.

“Bad boys” are not so picky. They ride away and feel so happy to fight for girls they do adore.
Snorting like boars rolling on the floor with their leather jackets and their rocky voice. They hit, fight, kick, wreak havoc, and rejoice. Nobody knows what they are looking for. A kind of battle axe or maybe more.

Dramophone is about a pair of sassy sisters wearing racy garments such as but silk underwear. They are silly swingers who are swing dancers.

Dramophone is a uptempo electro swing song with vintage swing style production similar to 1940s swing jazz. The song Dramophone is played in the key of F minor (Fm). However a majority of the chorus is sung in the D key. Parts of the song progress and digress with the notes, chords, and keys of course. Notice how the vocals are muffled due to how the treble has been reduced.

A pair of sassy sisters are dressed in nothing but silk underwear. This pair of sassy sisters are silly swingers who often swing dance. They get your feelings under a spell somehow. Come and taste as sweet as can be. Say man, what’s the matter? What’s he doing standing up there shaking like that? The boys are gonna tell you what to do. Listen to them.

Clash is about partying. People are downing in the middle of the parties again. Getting the cool with the happy. Everybody talking about the power of the gospel. Seems to feel that beat you can’t stop bouncing. In other words you can’t stop bouncing to that beat and to feel that beat. Why don’t we keep the rhythm just what it sounds? Now people wanna stop the frenzied happening. But I need you to stop the sound to get it right.

I rate this album 5/5*****!

Review: Dream Warriors – The Movie

Dream Warriors – The Movie is a unique Canadian rap and Canadian hip hop album with a boombastic jazz style that cannot be replicated by anyone. You can’t duplicate their greatness! The quartet from Toronto, Canada managed to break down all barriers and boundaries musically with this album by incorporating many styles of jazz such as acid jazz and post-bop. The album is sample crazy as all 90s rap and hip hop albums are.

“The Movie” album was issued as a cassette single album that was packaged as a full length album by Island Records in 1994 to be sent to radio stations in Canada, Europe, and the United States. “The Movie” was only issued on cassette and was also given free with a copy of Select magazine for a limited time. Now there are unreleased songs such as I Might Freestyle But My Style Ain’t For Free, The Elements Of Broken Communication, Visions Of The Dream, Handle The Dangle, and Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya. No, their album “The Movie” is not a collection of hit singles and songs from their 1990s albums as some would believe.

Now “The Movie” album was the precursor to the Subliminal Stimulation album. The original title of “Subliminal Stimulation” was called “The Movie”. However Dream Warriors decided to change of their album to “Subliminal Stimulation” to avoid any confusion(s) that may or would have occurred and to avoid disambiguation. The quartet decided to change the album title to be relevant and become more successful in the music industry as the “Subliminal Stimulation” which obviously worked because that album was a moderate success with some singles that hit the Billboard Charts.

Very Easy To Assemble was inspired by the saying “very easy to assemble but hard to take apart”. There many staccato notes used throughout the song over an upbeat tempo. Very Easy To Assemble can be found on the B-side of the single Ludi and “The Movie” album was issued as a cassette single album that was packaged as a full length album.

Very Easy To Assemble was a minor hit which featured jazz legend known the late Mr. Slim Gaillard scatting over the top. Slim Gaillard died the year after making this. This song was the last recording he made.

I’ve Lost My Ignorance is actually a remix version of I’ve Lost my Ignorance (and don’t know where to find it) that was culled from the album, The Rebirth Of Cool Volume 1, which was released in 1992. “Exclusive to this compilation this meeting of raps brave new souls was recorded in London, and later given this smooth-tough remix by Tim Bran. Guru and King Lou take the abstract track.”

These lyrics are quite advanced for a jazz rap song from 1992.

I venture through darkness with power eclipse
Soul for my guidance my conscience equipped
Opens my thought my neighborhood compels me
The contract swells the head
I feed on my own so here we go into a cool down
The fool found a sound but there’s not enough to go around
So we searchers and searchers we searches in ignorance
The outcome of distortion is the evidence
Pre-dominant pre-dominance is how I stand
Phenomenon one phenomenon two (come come)
I seek and I prosper my journey is endless
Keen is my eye sight analyze
Reality fantasy fantasize

I’ve lost my ignorance and don’t know where to find it
So I search (search) furiously
I’ve lost my ignorance and don’t know where to find it
Yet I search (search) furiously

The quartet from Toronto, Canada managed to break down all barriers and boundaries culturally, socially, and politically on Break The Stereo. Their goal and intention of the song is breakdown all stereotypes. They also manage to break all stereo barriers. In a land of stereo, there are many type of audio. Dream Warriors were pioneers in Canadian rap and Canadian hip hop with this song.

It’s A Project Thing uses a cool little touch of jazz. The song is a goodie and a hidden gem from the Golden Age of hip hop/rap. DJ Premier and DJ Luv (LA Luv) kill the song with their versatile drum production. You can’t go wrong with DJ Premier.

One More Cassette In The Jazz Room is a beautiful prestigious example of pristine jazz rap from the Golden Age of hip hop/rap. The production is clear as there is hardly any static or pops in the production. That piano is absolutely infectious and catchy. Now that sublime French horn ensemble makes the song even more beautiful. One More Cassette In The Jazz Room relies heavily on the interpolation of “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet.

I rate this album 5/5*****!

Review: Swingrowers – Outsidein

Swingrowers – Outsidein is an Italian electro swing album which is one of those lesser known electro swing albums. Who knew Italian electro swing could be so appealing?

Selfie Face is about couple wanting to converse with each other online night and day. The gentleman is hooked on internet beauties instead of paying attention to his lady. Selfie Face is a song relevant to todays’s audiences.

If they could just talk about each night and day online. He is gone as always. What should she do to connect with him? This lady wonders and contemplates on what she should do to get her gentleman’s attention towards her.

He disappears into wires.She wishes he could read between the lines because the more he posts for it, she thinks he’ll lose. Tweet it, like it, link it, and tag it. All sent. She tells him to take off his self face by saying, “Take your selfie face off. How dull is your party? That’s a wrap on me and you. Take your party face off. Why don’t you like me?”

The lady wonders why her gentleman doesn’t like her. He’s blue as always. What should she do to make love with him? They need a miracle tonight. He hooked on internet beauties. Lost in his typing. It’s time for her to unfollow him. Does he still like it?

Here to Stay explains how electro swing music is here to stay for eternity.

Hear that sound from the ground? It just makes you feel better. Who downtown is still around? You will find out tonight that your heartbeat is on repeat. It’s time to lose your mind.

Just listen to this music spell. Just get on shaking. Don’t be shy. You know you’re ready. Whatever you say. The music takes over your cells. Just keep on making. Don’t be shy. We’re here to stay. Here the sound is too loud. But we don’t let it matter.

Who is out in the crowd? Are you there to be found? Tap your feet to the beat. Every time it gets better.
To leave our seat is what we need. So come and feel the vibes. Just listen to this music spell. The music takes over your cells. All over your body.

Healing Dance is the rhythm of change. The song follows an uptempo electro swing tempo electro swing music is internationally known for.

We are sedated by leaders and guests of zotes. No more believers are barring on cats weaker. Can’t stop a river to make it swing to the sea. There are naked hatreds all over this land.

Take a close look to the picture. They keep stealing color from it so they can get richer. You can hear children voices whisper. Who’s really gonna listen? Why do we keep the distance? It’s touching and we’re really all from our look for instance. They going to keep us dumb. The change is gonna come. Don’t you miss it. Just be curious of the second opinion. Absorb but you can’t understand what you’re seeing. Respect the earth and do your best to keep it safe. Use your heart and brain.

This is the rhythm of the healing dance. Meaning, time, and space for this healing dance.

I rate this album 4/5****!!

Review: Swingrowers – Remote

Swingrowers – Remote is another overlooked electro swing album with a retro vibe and vintage jazz sounds. The Swingrowers came out with more suave songs in a classy jazzy manner. Songs such as Chiovi and Django pay tribute and homage to jazz from the 20th century.

Chiovi is about tears which hide true emotions from the heart. The lyrics to this electro swing song are performed in the Corsican language in C# Major key.

While it’s raining outside and hides the sun that one no wants to marry. I go in because I don’t want to get wet while it’s raining outside. They are tears of love which wash the heart. A fire in the chest does not want to stop. I want to laugh!

These lyrics serve as symbolism of hiding true emotions from the heart. “They are tears of love, they wash the heart”

Django is based on the Belgian-born Romani-French jazz guitarist and composer Django Rinehardt. The song is about how his lady ditched him. The song pays tribute and homage to 1930s swing which is where all the bass, horn, and guitars come from.

Django Rinehardt has been close to his lady for years. Whenever he would play she would open her ears. She sked him to teach her and he would slip her beers. They played music all night. How did they get to here?

He carried her bags, rags, and her riches. They had each other’s backs. Back then when they were big kids. But she just took it all for granted and ditched him. She switched when he asked her to include him in the picture. It ain’t all about her! He really likes all the things she does. But she needs to blow her own horn. But why does she treat Django like she does?

Listen now. They were dealt the same hand. She came running to Django too quick. wanting the funds for her band. He showed her the ropes. It’s up to her to make the most of it and be her own person. He knows she won’t go through that because she must be needing both hands. The way she has been blowing her own trumpet and jumping up to her own dance is so sad. But now she doesn’t even seem to notice Django.

Ah, so typical! So competitive! He’ll take up her offer and give her some of her own medicineHer heart’s darker than a pint of Guinness.

At the end of the song, Django Rinehardt goes toe-to-toe musically and physically with is brother D’anglo Rinehardt. But some Something happened that no one could have ever planned. Both brothers severed both their hands and now they unable to play music again.

Ladies and gentlemen. Django Rinehardt goes up against his little brother D’anglo Rinehardt in a sound clash to musical death! Lots of images folks! Get tickets now! D’anglo’s stolen his brother’s drummer! No love lost, it can go straight to stringing! Fist-to-fist! The loser can’t hide and the winner takes all the pride!

Reports coming from the grand bowl here! Where we saw Django Rinehardt and D’anglo Rinehardt come toe-to-toe musically and then physically blow-to-blow! After what was one of the great musical shows of our time with both brothers in their prime. Losing their cool and then losing their minds! Both pulled out quite the considerable sharp knife and in the aftermath what can only be described as a post-musical bloodbath. Something happened that no man could have ever planned. Both brothers severed both their hands!

The song Midnight explain how the wolf sings howls at midnight. He’s trying to call out her name but his love for his female lover and companion is still too far away. The song Midnight explained how love can be uncertain.

These lyrics explain how love can be uncertain. “The rich have money/The bees make honey/Love is never pure/Please, can you be mine one more time?”

The rich have money. The bees make honey. Love is uncertain. So is how the wolf sings howls at midnight. He’s trying to call out her name but his love for his female lover and companion is still too far away. The wolf is warmed by her light. They say love is never pure. Howling is how the wolf sings at the stroke of midnight. He will be waiting until doomsday but his love is still too far away.

I rate this album 4/5****!

Review: Young Bleed – On My Own

Young Bleed – On My Own is one of the best Baton Rouge rap albums of 2000 next to C-Loc – It’s A Gamble and Beelow – Ballaholic. On My Own was the follow-up album to My Balls and My Word which became a platinum success in the underground rap music scene in the South. On My Own is the platinum follow-up to My Balls and My Word. His lyrical content and delivery have direction over spacious rhymes. He showcased his lyrical and storytelling ability. His talent flourishes on every song as the production flourishes as well as always.

This album along with C-Loc – It’s A Gamble and Beelow – Ballaholic had a major roll in putting Baton Rouge, Louisiana on the map of hip hop/rap! That album also had a major role in putting Baton Rouge, Louisiana on the map. C-Loc Records had pool of talent in the 1990s and 2000s which included Young Bleed, Boo, Max Minelli, and C-Loc.

Young Bleed explained how his lifestyle is treacherous and dangerous on his drum heavy and drum driven song Trecherous. The song exemplifies the necessities of a true player as Young Bleed explains how it costs to be the boss. This is one of his more morbid haunting songs. The song displays vital signs of mental language. It’s goin’ down. Check it out, yo.

There ain’t nothin’ to it but to do it when shit gets treacherous. Young Bleed goes into his mode and gets sick with it like the exorcist. (No X-Raided reference.) Haters can’t get next to this to flex with this. He can promise you that. Don’t lose your life on purpose. He is haunting by night stalking your death. Ripping your click apart until there is no one left.

Now who’s the first to die? Here the killers cry young. Pacing back and fourth against the wall with their nuts? There is no reason to paint a perfect picture for the Pictionary. I hope you see what Young Bleed is seeing. You can either swim with the fishes or straight go nuts with the squirrels. Steady whisperin’ words through corridors from the 36 chambers of death. So all the savage niggas come with weaponry. They tellin’ these niggas to die young if you try ’em in every borough. And that’s not metaphorical. Young Bleed is a nigga that’s treacherous.

Time and Money is a snappy and catchy money getting anthem that similar to the snappy and catchy money getting anthem by Big Syke called Time Iz Money. This song has the same message. Time is money and money is time. You gotta yours and I gotta get mine. There’s more to this life than tryin’ to get high. There’s more to this life than tryin’ to get fly and by. Like you don’t know. That nigga Young Bleed and Too $hort done hopped on the grind.

You see, time is money and money is time. Young Bleed and Too $hort have to get money. He is from the sunshine state where the hate don’t wait. Young Bleed and Too $hort will win and get money. If the chips are overdue, Young Bleed himself doesn’t waste his time and money. Money and time are the two things Young Bleed doesn’t waste.

Short Dogg gettin’ at that ass. He stripped her butt naked. Then he tapped that ass for some money. He could tell the way she danced that she liked to fuck. Too $hort love the way the booty shakes. Punk bitches stare as they can’t compare to her. These fake hoes don’t know what real players do.

Look at the sunshine. It’s about that time a nigga like Young Bleed to get down for his. From the heavens to the clouds. From the sky to the earth, he is breaking dirt for whatever it’s worth. You gotta take it slow though. Which is what Young Bleed does. He stays hounded like a mad man. He stays hounded in the head like a mad man.

No more discussion. What’s the repercussion? When it really don’t matter, niggas get shattered dreams when they see the buckshots scatter. Save the chatter for the mama. You ain’t bout no drama. He can see it in you eyes. You’re just another number. Welcome to the world of the hustlers, players, and pimps where if it don’t make dollars, then it don’t make sense.

Give and Take explains how you win some and you lose some. That’s the way life goes sometimes. He makes it a point to understand this ain’t Wonderland.

There ain’t nothing sweet when milk money ain’t enough to feed the tummy. We are mummified in this land of milk and honey. Living in jeopardy knowing some will never become ghetto celebrities. Take it in stride. That’s how people ride through the streets where Young Bleed is from. Trying to get some. Hoping for the big one. Seven figures and then some. Make it and spend some. Hustling with the man steady taking your income. It’s either kill or be killed in law of the land. In this life we live, you gotta give and take. That’s how it operates. Don’t ask why. This is just fate.

You see, you win some, you lose some. And then you spend some on them when you choose them. You see, it’s a cold world and it’s a cold game. But if you learn the give and take, it ain’t no thang.

Young Bleed is running from one time (police) during the summer in the city where the girls look good but their attitudes shitty with a fifty sack of sticky bailing up G Street. He runs aimlessly through the corner projects holding his heat. He heard police took his partner out of the game last week. They come from the same streets. Now police are trying to blast him. More money more murder, He is cold-blooded and these hoes love it. But that’s the quickest downfall for a player like Young Bleed. It’s like time keep on slippin’ and niggas keep trippin’.

I rate this album 5/5*****!!

Review: Young Bleed – My Balls and My Word

Young Bleed – My Balls and My Word is one of the best Baton Rouge rap albums of 1998 and is easily a top 5 No Limit release that any No Limit fan should recognize. Especially you hardcore NL fans and stans. His lyrical content and delivery have direction over spacious rhymes. His talent flourishes on every song as the production flourishes as well. The production was unusual for a No Limit and Priority album. The album had sort of a West Coast G-Funk sound over East Coast beats. It’s uncommon to find an album this strong in this day and age. He gives you nothing but balls and his word.

Young Bleed had a major roll in putting Baton Rouge, Louisiana on the map of hip hop/rap! This was the album that had his iconic and best-selling song to date called How Ya Do That. How Ya Do That had a major role in putting Baton Rouge, Louisiana on the map. That hit helped make this album become a gold success that would later turn into a platinum success. C-Loc Records had pool of talent in the 1990s which included Young Bleed, Boo, Max Minelli, and C-Loc.

Young Bleed explains how it costs to be the boss on Pull It Off. He explains all the responsibilities and duties of being a boss. The song exemplifies the necessities of a true player. He speaks of the world in all its glory and ugliness. They say to play with a man’s money is to play with a man’s life. And to play with a man’s life means you’re playin’ with your life. That is the message of the song.

If it’s a cost to be a boss, Young Bleed will be hustlin’ high without a doubt. But it gets wicked for real. Money makes the caper. But money also makes them player hate. So watch your back. There is a cost that comes with being a boss. That is why Young Bleed is in the same clothes he wore yesterday trying to take the stress away. Watching through the strife. Struggle and fight are the plight to excel. In a country (well county) full of junkies and river queens. He is a baller that is trying to protect his paper from them haters.

Young Bleed explains how he came out harder and better than last time on Better Than Last Time. The song helps showcase his lyrical delivery along with label mates Max Minelli and C-Loc. You gotta go get yours and make your shit better than the last time. So if you got something on your mind, then make it better than the last time. That is the message of the song.

Max Minelli killed that shit! Max Minelli shined heavy on this song. He killed the song with this cold line and delivery of his which went, “So cold and grab the mic and turn that bitch into an icicle”. He does not get the credit he deserves and never got his just due which is truly criminal.

Young Bleed has been hustlin’ all his motherfucking life. Niggas are trippin’ and player hating. When he wanted to have it, he knew where to look. He did not bitch and complain.

All Young Bleed wants for Christmas is 12 gold teeth, afresh candy blue Jeep, and a four-four heat. He is pot-headed on some cold streaks. The world makes him feel it’s the thing for him. Fuck being something else. Because Young Bleed can hustle and struggle by himself. And bein’ mad at the world ain’t the thang to be. People pass by saying that they wish him well. But in reality he knows these hoes wish him hell. In reality he will hold up. That is the reality.

So what’s the way for a young black nigga today? Rob folks and sell dope. That’s what I figured you’d say. You gotta make money. And if they act funny then take money. So if you got something on your mind, then make it better than the last time.

Man, why y’all wanna take the world from a nigga who ain’t got shit yet? They tell Max Minelli player haters wish him the worst. But he has that fire that will get you roasted. Get your game on the level of mind and we could grind. Because when the world is on fire, all the weed gonna blow. He rolls with a clique full of straight savage ass pistol shooters and he is ready to wrap his paws around the wheels of a Land Cruiser. Lo and behold, you see him slang dope for the cause. The shit C-Loc Records designed blows your mind was made better than the last time.

Confedi is about how everyone in life wants money and strives for something better. We’re all geeking for the loot. Everybody is fiending for fetti. That’s how it is. His delivery and flow are on point.

Young Bleed gave audiences an offer they couldn’t refuse with the lyrical delivery over spacious rhymes on the song “An Offer U Can’t Refuse”. He will give you a proposition that you can’t refuse with his lyrics. He is in it to win. And he will never lose. Nothing but balls and his word.

I rate this album 5/5*****!!

Review: Alexandra Stan – Saxobeats

Alexandra Stan – Saxobeats is one of the lesser known electro swing albums from 2011 that is dance and pop oriented tracks. However this electro swing album is more pop oriented than it is jazz influenced. If you were looking for an album that should relied on jazz and electronic production for musical backing, then this is not the album for you. However the production is quite amazing since a majority of her album is filled with modern electronic production. But there’s hardly any jazz at all. Just electronic and pop.

Ironically the song Mr. Saxobeat is not heavily backed by a saxophone ensemble but is backed by posh modern electronic production and uptempo rhythms. However the song follows the uptempo upbeat rhythm electro swing has. A faint saxophone riff drives the track. The saxophone riff which drives the track can be hardly heard.

Alexandra sings about a man named Mr. Saxobeat whom she is attracted to and sings about the the way he makes her move on her song Mr. Saxobeat.

Mr. Saxobeat makes her dance and makes her move like a freak. He brings her up and down. Mr. Saxobeat is the one Alexandra needs. He is the one she wants to be with. He plays it sweet due to the sweetness in his style.

Bitter Sweet is a bittersweet love song that is filled with love and denial. In this song, Alexandra explains how her man is making her sick with a bittersweet love even though she can feel his genuine love. The song uses generic 2010s style electronic production with a poppish sound.

Alexandra can feel her man’s genuine love. But her man is making her sick with a bittersweet love. As for Alexandra, she is like a bittersweet pie filled with love and denial. When he is not around, everything goes down. Everything goes wrong with her. Yet Alexandra thinks she is better off without him. Her man is like a bittersweet pie. But he is with cream and the cherry top lie.

I rate this album 3/5***.

Review: Jill Scott – Golden Memories

Golden Moments is a compilation album Hidden Beach Recordings compiled to capitalize on the success of songstress Jill Scott. The album featured some of her hits such as Gettin In The Way, He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat), Cross My Mind, and The Way. You will love how direct she is with her lyrical honesty as she puts her soul into each song of hers. The way she soul talks and sings soulfully is incredible like no other. This whole compilation album is basically a fusion of Soul-Jazz. Jill Scott is very underrated.

Only Jill can make a song about beating some sister’s ass sound so soulful, classy, classic, and beautiful. That is what she did on her hit song Gettin In The Way. The way Jill soul talks and sings soulfully is incredible like no other. Jill manages to make her vocals sound both jazzy and soulful at the same time. This song is neo-soul at its best. There’s nothing like that 2000s neo-soul.

An ex-lover who once was dating Jill’s man is apparently lying on Jill. But he’s seeing right through the lies as does Jill. This sister is getting the way of what Jill is feelin’.

Jill knows she doesn’t understand. But she is gonna have to understand he’s Jill’s man now.What she had is gone. Their thing is stronger than any lie she can tell on Jill. Jill can see her intentions. She can’t handle the truth. He let her go a long time ago. Jill tells her man’s ex-lover that it’s now time to turn him loose. She is getting the way of what Jill is feelin’.

Jill has been a lady up to now and is clearly losing her patience dealing with this sister. Jill doesn’t know how much more she can take dealing with her. Queens shouldn’t swing if you know what I mean.

Jill about to take her earrings off, get herself some Vaseline, and get very confrontational. Jill tells her to back down by telling her, “I’m ’bout to go off in your face, girl. You better chill. I mean it. You better back down before you get smacked down. You better relax yourself. He’s my man and nobody else’s.” In other words, if this sister doesn’t chill, Jill will beat her ass. He’s her man and nobody else’s.

Everything is beautiful between Jill and him. Here comes his ex-lover and her big mouth talking about Jill telling him that she has seen Jill up 24th Street with them other cats in. But she knows that’s a lie. Yet she continuously keeps on giving Jill’s man false information. Jill tells her that she is going to take her out in the middle of the street and whoop her ass. That is how Jill lets her know that she herself isn’t playing.

Crown Royal is a futuristic sounding 2000s soul-pop song about how Jill’s man treats her like a queen and having sex. The way a sister should be treated. Now there is not the usual Soul-Jazz fusion in this as is the case with her other songs. Crown Royal uses a more soul-pop based sound.

His hands on her hips pull her right back to him. Jill catch that thrust and give it right back to him. She can reciprocate the same movement. He is in so deep. They are both making love on the floor. Jill is squirting mad oil on. Down on the floor until her speaker starts to boil. He is like Crown Royal on ice.

Jill sings about how the person she was loving isn’t right for her and about how she was thinking about how they weren’t right for each other, even though they had incredible sex. That is the synopsis of Cross My Mind. The piano gives that song a jazzy edge while her singing gives the song a soulful sound.

Jill was thinking about the person that was once her lover. Wondering if he wears the same cologne that smelled good on him. She had the next boyfriend of hers try the same kind. But it stunk on him though. The cologne is for her new man. You know what they say, everything ain’t for everybody. But she tried it anyway. He sure did smell good. She was just thinking about him. He was just running cross her mind.

At the end of the song, Jill comes to terms and realizes they weren’t right for each other. Which is what the lyrics “But the reality honestly/You were never good for me and I was never good for you” mean.

The Way picked up where Gettin In The Way left off in a way. That is no exaggeration or double entendre. Jill wants to spend time with her man. But her girl friends are not letting Jill spend time with her man. That includes his ex-lover as described in her hit song Gettin In The Way. Jill is going to spend time with her man irregardless of what her girl friends want.

Jill woke up this morning with a smile on her face. She jumped out of bed, took a shower, got dressed, and cleaned up her place. Then she made herself some breakfast which consisted toast, two scrambled eggs, and grits. Then she heads off to work beaming all the way down 3rd Street.

The time is now 4:30 and Jill can’t wait to get home. Jill’s girl friends want Jill to spend time with them. That includes his ex-lover as described in her hit song Gettin In The Way. However Jill politely tells them to shove off as she has other plans because tonight her man’s coming through. So Jill tells her girl friends, “We gonna have to connect some other time.” Her girl friends understand and finally back off.

I rate this album 5/5*****!!