Dj Rhythm. May 16, 2002

This week I am eager, because i am reviewing albums not just any albums but, Underground mostly that have incredible potential, and that's understating the greatness of the artist,  along with the composition of each album...So let me put it down. Brooknam!! the first stop (a little bias) Stay Enterprises releases a compilation album, full of talented artists no question.. (or I would not review it) the stand out songs, "World Trade Center Memorial", "Rattle The Battle", "I Apologize", and what should be a video single, "Better Ways"...originality and creativity gets a three of five scratches. For more information  just remember to tell them that Rhythm shout them out.   My Q-York Entertainment people, KL, Knowa Lazarus, readies, his album "The Opening Statement" while last touches are being added, the advance CD, boasts four strong tracks, "All In The Mind", "Translations (rm)", "Shadiness" and my personal rewinder, "F--k Them". I can possibly see a video in play for "Translations" intricate lyrics, as he assist you to learn his Asian heritage (dare I say love song). Keeping in mind that no drastic last minute changes will give Knowa a full three scratches for originality and consistency, If you need to hear him yourself, checkout www.knowalazarus.com .  Motown Records, sees Journalist debut release "Scribes Of Life" album, as a Good album it is not well balanced, with participation or call and response songs. The upside if you are down for street appealing rap, "Self Explanatory", "Extended Family feat. M.O.P.", "Throwing It All Away", "getting The Game Confused", "When It Comes To This Sh-t", "The Way It Used To Be feat. Floetry" are enough to keep any music buyer satisfy, see Journalist on his site, www.journalistmusic.com .

   Crazy Noise Production made a mix-tape album unlike any other. (That is a compliment from one Dj to another) I have to give due props to the array of talent found on his recording. Dj Butter, this one from Oak Park, MI originally put out this album last year without much coverage.  So here is what I liked about this album, a lot of his own production, smooth transitions from song to song, standout rappers, from Eminem, D-12, KonArtis, Funkaroma and especially form the only female MC on the project Miz Korona...too many song s to even start naming them just go to www.crazynoise.com and peep what they have.   Strange Brew, (yes, that's the group name) hails from Milwaukee, bringing us a taste of their own hip-hop. Down side!! Strange Brew are not as cohesive a mic duo, so do not look for easy transitions between them. Nevertheless they were intelligent enough to incorporate some note worthy appearances, J.U.I.C.E. , Strict & Wordsworth, some of their own people, One Man-Army, O-Type Star and Nova Cain. The two man show compiled an eleven song album titled "The First Round". Not only did the artist do a good job, they presented edgy music styles, but incorporated some nostalgic production feel. Some like "Introduction", "Take Heed", "We Love This", and "Back To Hip-Hop" is enough to give this project a full three scratches...see more on them if you visit, www.wmse.org

Now for some album that are searching for distribution/ record deals, (again without quest!! worth the review) Off the Truck Productions and Brooklyn Funk productions combined to deliver BK-Hi, (yes!!! you see my bias ways)  the album "Life, Decisions, Choices". which is tight both in style and music for labels looking to expand and interested in giving this project a go, hit Ysae ( E-say) via office, 718-636-4038 or email Brooklynfunk@yahoo.com .  Bomb and Hype residing  out of Atlanta, bangs out a 14 track burner of their own production. The music is very versatile and a well balanced creation, club hits, radio playable, and street credible songs, songs!! The album titled simply 117 gets a high rating of 3 3/4 scratches, Sony/Loud, Universal need to jump on this band wagon, hit them on the ear-set 912-681-2742, via email, one17@frontiernet.net Now we go all the way to Alaska to check out Artic Flow Records as they debuts AKREAM, more retro style production, but well balance topics, radio ready material and street savy tracks such as, "Take it Back", "Way Too Cold" (also the album title), and "Breathe On You" ...Everything was done by their in house crew, this rating may seem low but it picks up a 2 3/4 scratches...I can be wrong, you tell me www.arcticflowrecords.com can assist in giving you a sneak peek.