Wisemen Approaching
Wisemen Approaching
表演者: Wisemen
流派: 说唱
专辑类型: Explicit Lyrics
介质: CD
发行时间: 2007-02-27
唱片数: 1
出版者: Babygrande Records
条形码: 0823979030423
专辑简介
Wisemen: Wisemen Approaching
A novel product of Babygrande's ever increasing portfolio of sound, the Wisemen, a super-group founded by Bronze Nazareth of Wu-Tang fame and executively produced by Dreddy Kruger, have dropped one of the year's most gracing records. Wisemen Approaching doesn't linger with you. Few tracks will reappear rattling around in your skull during a work break and it's doubtful that many a song will receive considerable radio airplay abroad or become anthems for unseasoned teenagers. This album, unlike most contemporary releases in the genre, doesn't ebb and flow, or ascend a peak only to stumble into valley. It doesn't match a high point with one equally as low. Rather it presents itself as a flat plane; an empty canvass for your feet to walk by or your mind to wander to.
Summed up by one word, Wisemen Approaching is concrete. It can be summed up for the economically conscientious music connoisseur in eight words -- well worthy of being added to your stash. The first track opens like a plunge into a dreamy state of a listener who's dozed off on a rapid moving inner-city subway, as troubles depart their remains like mist rising. The surroundings become shadows and the inner-conscious is elevated. As stated on the opener, "Introducing (no matter how)," "Not only am I an artist, I'm a fan." This noticeably clarifies the album's ranging knowledge of hip-hop, the major players, the customs and techniques, and above all the standards. Salty piquant lyrics blend with an angelic choir in the background through much of this piece of work. And the dream begins as an appealingly peculiar but quaint one.
Wisemen Approaching, in part, pays homage to past greats in the business, and its style is reminiscent of smooth Nas, using words as weapons and beats as body armor. At times the beats can be repetitive, which is the sole setback. By "New Year Banga," though, the Wisemen have taken off the crowns, thrown off the gaudy robes and proceed to get down and dirty with lyrical declarations and observations. There are frequent references to history, religion, civil struggle and significant moments throughout existence. "Illness" changes pace and begins a method of storytelling about familiar occurrences coming up as man in a world far bigger than comprehension will allow. On "Associated" the Wisemen reach an unexpected destination on their limitless dream voyage. Through a dessert they find their savior -- a freshly birthed baby Jesus in the form of GZA.
GZA/Jesus springs jabs like a prize fighter back from retirement, backed by horns and soulful production. The album turns slightly towards a commentary on the stability of hip-hop, seen through the equitable eyes of alter-perception. By "Mixture of Muhammad" the listener is freefalling into a trance. Turntables and rolling drums deliver a mild-controlled chaos. Killah Priest and Vast Aire drop by in the middle of the record, ciphering gas out of gangsta rapper's Hummers, lighting a match and breathing out fire onto "Iconoclasts" with rugged appeal. Their differing tones blend well, as do their differing takes, and lyrics such as, "I am the chosen / I walked on water that water that wasn't frozen" grant unexpected notice. Wisemen Approaching toggles from an intro to Old Testament literature, to a basis for postmodern philosophy, and a street manual for making it day by day on the streets. "Blinded" is a taste of a hardcore fairytale of romance, and this record is unique as one that you can sleep, think, screw, and eat breakfast with your mother to.
More vague than direct, more reserved than divisive, Wisemen Approaching rises above gimmicks and focuses on the slickness. You will be hard pressed to dethrone this as one of 2007's best.
关键词：Wisemen Approaching