CD Review: Souls of Mischief – Montezuma’s Revenge
November 27th, 2009 Filed under: Reviews - Music by admin
CD Review – Souls of Mischief
Montezuma’s Revenge
Hiero Imperium Records
What happens if you lock up four of California’s dopest MC’s with one of the East Coast’s maddest beat scientists in a house in Oakland with no TV or phone for two months? Apparently a thick slab of heavily spiced, perfectly prepared Hip Hop balancing the best elements of classic Hieroglyphics lyricism from Opio, Tajai, A-Plus and Phesto over the ever innovative and bumping beats of the one and only Prince Paul, with help from Hiero vet Domino. The appropriately titled “Montezuma’s Revenge” lands like an unexpected mudslide of illness and leaves the listener breathless and green in the face.
With a definite emphasis on group compositions highlighting the diverse skills of the MC’s, Prince Paul’s methodological approach has yielded a consistently satisfying product aimed at a maturing audience of connoisseur Hip Hop heads. Tracks like “Postal” and “Tour Stories” contrast the glamourous life with the realities of relationships and human unpredictability. “Poets” brings to the fore the deadly accuracy of this often underrated group of swordsmen over Paul’s jazzy loops, until “Morgan Freeman” advises Tajai to “drop that Old School shit!!!”. “Fourmation” accepts the challenge, and the Voltron unit does just that, dropping Old School bombs over classic Boom Bap. “Lickity Split” delves deeper into female troubles, a theme Prince Paul seems often drawn to, and the four flex flows colder than brass balls.
While consistently bumping, “Montezuma’s Revenge” rocks a laid-back confidence beyond swagger, and exhibits the talents of five serious veterans, melded together into a mind-altering musical experience perfect for a solo blazing session when you’re feeling world weary and embittered by tepid rappers, yet red-eyed and vexed enough to want some bite. Chuck D. said he looked forward to the return of the Hip Hop group, and here we have it, with the standards and stakes as high as ever.
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