As some of you know, I like to review projects in a track by track fashion. This review won't be on one of my projects, for once. I know, I know. But you won't be disappointed. New Grapetree Records in combination with Javo Records and soSouth Distribution have released a new original project by the legendary emcee from the original Grapetree Records legacy library, lil' Raskull entitled "Don Robey Album". Sometimes called "RAS", he is also the owner of New Grapetree Records, so it's only fitting that he is first out the gates with his own release.
I will be going through the album, track by track, with my opinion on each one. Purely subjective, so regardless of my input, I would encourage you to stream it for yourself and formulate your own opinions, as always.
Track 1 - Profound
First thing I notice is the feel of this song. It feels like a flashback to the NWA era, when they were on top. The lyrics are more of a story vibe. I like the down pitching in the vocal mix too! I like how the flow is abstract. This is a great introductory track for this album. The flow is aggressive and that isn't that common anymore. I dig the vocal snip at the end. I wonder who it is though.
Track 2 - Declaration
I dig the live audience feel on this one. I always listen to the beats first, and this snare hits real nice. History already been made! I dig how Ras comes in at an unconventional point in the beat. The mix is real nice on this one. Upon my first listen to the entire project, I noticed that the mix was greatly consistent. Doin' a hundred on the highway, maybe cause it's Friday! The filter on the vocal mix is nice at the end.
Track 3 - Gangsta Gospel - featuring Chille Baby
I really dig the down pitch for the vocal line in the chorus. Not many people can do that right, Ras did. The snare work on this beat is nice as is the bass drops. The bending boom sound is great! I can imagine this one going over really well in a live situation. I'm really digging Ras' flow on this project so far. I like that it's not conventional rhythms. Chille Baby comes off as well. Good to hear him gettin' it in. Life or Death, man, you gotta choose! I wonder what a music video would look like for this one.
Track 4 - The Book of Cush
The record static in the beginning went away! Nooooo!!! I dig the drums he used on this one. This is the most like a breakbeat on the album so far. The string plucks and the singing sample really make this beat come together. Verse two is my favorite so far. I suppose I've got a preference to the story-telling part of these verses. In God We Trust, But We Learn To Busssss...
Track 5 - By His Blood
This one I recognize from playing on New Grapetree Radio! This one has always had a great feel to it. That scream in the beginning of the first verse has always been a good move in my opinion. "Gave me music instead of Tonka trucks" - my favorite line. This one is a good one to front to.
Track 6 - More of You - featuring Elizabeth Mhlanga
This one has a special place in my heart. It's the first time I heard Ras' heart for worship come out in his verses. "son of Jessie, some say he was common man, God said he was king though", that whole part is just amazing! This song gives me shivers. Elizabeth comes off perfectly over this instrumental. The progression of this song is amazing! The synths that come in as the chorus comes in are phenomenal!
I can't get enough of this song! Definitely a repeater!
Track 7 - Answer - featuring Ali Cross
This was a single released before the entire dropped. You can get the single version on www.soundrebellion.net if you're interested. Ali Cross is an artist from Zimbabwe who is on New Grapetree Records. This one has a more international feel to the instrumental that I really dig. I can hear this one on the radio. It has a definite danceable characteristic to it! Reminiscent a bit of Liberian Girl by Michael Jackson.
Track 8 - Run Up On Em
This one is a show song for sure! It's catchy and has a lot of space for the vocal delivery to shine. I can also hear this one on mainstream radio. Doo Doo Doo!!! The mix on this is really good too! The flow is more traditional, but comes hard. Minimal on purpose. I like this one!
Track 9 - Going Down
This is the one I produced. I probably should turn it up. Do you dig the turntable work?
Track 10 - Jesus
This one has always been super hard to me. I like how he confronts the industry in this one. I've played this one on New Grapetree Radio as well and is also on www.soundrebellion.net and YouTube as well. The feel to this one is definitely something I can roll on. Nice and eerie! This one SERIOUSLY goes hard!
Track 11 - RIP Chad Butler - featuring Navigator
This one's pitch shift on the background vocals and the chorus is perfect! This was chopped correctly. That's been rare lately. The chorus sounds "tough" for once! Good job on this one!! Check out the content of this one, lyrically, too! Ras is sayin' some realness. Navigator has a really nice flow too! It honestly made me want to hear more from him. I wonder what his project would sound like. Maybe that may be in the works. Who knows.
Track 12 - Priest of the North
What Is You Waitin' Fuh!?!? The bass guitar work on this is incredible! This is a really nice way to end the album. This track brings a nice conclusive element to the entire project. I really dig the relaxing vibe this one has. Ras comes off with his verses, as usual! For the wrap up song, I couldn't have picked a better one.
The entire project is very well rounded and deserving of heavy rotation for the audience that is familiar with his past work as well as those who are just now catching up. I highly recommend this entire album to anyone that wants some beastly flows without the compromise that so many releases have these days. It's a return to what's good and an advancement in the genre as a whole. It's already been stated that it's an "instant classic" and I must say that I wholeheartedly agree!!!
