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Surreal and DJ Balance - Futureclassic

Release:Futureclassic
MyHHHdb
(what is this?) / 3 users have this
Media:[Audio CD]
Released:2005
Recordlabel:Soul Kitchen Sound
Info:Production by DJ Balance, DJ Kay, MoO the Beatfanatic and Surreal.

1. Intro
2. Rebirth of Skill
3. Each step
4. Scratch and spit
5. Sk Freestyle
6. Moment in time
7. Outro
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Review:Written by Dreamz
Friday, 17 February 2006

Surreal - Future Classic EP
(Independent)

In order to lend this review some legitimacy (read with subtle sarcasm) I will write about the first time I heard about Surreal. At a Mars Ill show manchild told me to make sure to check for him and his straight-laced golden aged rap music deeply rooted in the year 1994. He has recently opened his life to Christ and had been part of the two man crew, Double Helix, a stronghold in Florida’s underground rap scene. In the Tampa area Surreal made a name for himself, crushing many a head in the battle circuit. They also dropped their dope debut album titled “Soundproof”, alerting many heads to the infant-like purity and freshness of their music.

After the show I began scouring the internet for any news of his release “Godspeed,” but struggled to come up with much information, and it looks like it might take a while until it will finally be released because of label confusions, but will hopefully appear in oh-six. In the meantime he has released a nice little project to give the impatient public a foothold to rest on for a while until his album drops while providing his newlywed wife with the funds she is unable to make during her pregnancy.

The ep is titled “Future Classic” and is a mature body of work, although a little brief with 7 tracks. The intro is comprised of some laid back vibes and keys over which Surreal welcomes his audience and spits a few bars in his trademark cadence that is thickly structured as well as his inviting deep voice that is authoritative. It reminds me a little of Common’s intro on “One Day It’ll All Make Sense.” Surreal’s got a voice and words, usually matched to melancholy and emotion-laden jazz that demand a serious listening. Surreal’s delivery has an effortless quality to it that Nas possesses. The second track, “Rebirth of Skill”, hosts a swinging trumpet sample and a bouncy bassline. The hook displays some fine vocal cuttery featuring Busta’s “Woo-Hah. “Creation is God’s science--that’s why I’m dropping it”--dope.

The second full track might be my favorite, sporting light drizzling piano drops and a sweet trumpet-sequence that breezes over a crunchy break. It is on mellow, heart-felt tracks like these where Surreal comes through strongest. His usually smooth intonation becomes a little edgier and sentimental as he speaks on the resurgence of his spirit through Christ. One of those goose-bumpy type joints.

Moving ahead, track 4 is another interlude, even though it clocks in at 6:04. The track itself is fitted out with some banging drums, cuts and the bassline Ant sampled on Atmosphere’s “Party for the Fight to Write,” but gets a little boring and longwinded after a few listens.

Number 5 is the “Spitkicker Freestyle.” Another little interlude that I assume is not entirely “free” as Surreal kills the beat too effortlessly for it to be completely off-the-top. It’s really nice for a shout-out type joint.
Next up is “Moment in Time.” It is, similar to “Scratch and Spit”, a song full of feeling with a guitar-run and vibes that tune out the stress of the present, giving you a solid four minutes to enjoy the moment with Surreal who’s “been on the grind all week, now I can finally breathe, kick-back relax, disconnect get some rest. Turn off the TV and the internet so I can introspect…” Beautiful.

You’ll have to buy this ep to find out what’s in the outro. So pick up this ep to sneak a peak of the future (or the glorious past).

3.5 of 5 stars
source: Sphereofhiphop.com, added: Aug 12, 2006
Review:Written by SSRC
Wednesday, 07 December 2005

Surreal - The Future Classic EP
(Indie)

It’s always a treat to listen to a new artist and know from the first listen that he is going to be something special. Before I had a chance to hear Surreal’s EP I was listening to the Muneshine LP and the last track “Imagine That (remix)”. Surreal was the guest emcee and he flowed over the smooth beat with ease. This had me searching for more music from this artist. Next up was the Ohmega Watts CD and the track Saturday Night Live with Surreal and Sharlok Poems sharing mic time over a banging beat by Mr. Watts. Again, he made me stop and listen with his commanding flow. On the strength of those two guest spots my interest was peeked and I looked forward to see what Surreal had to offer on his debut EP Future Classic.

Calling your EP a Future Classic is a bold move and I don’t know in time if this will be considered a classic but it will go down as a real tight EP. It starts off with an Intro that has Surreal talking about this piece of music over a jazzy backdrop. The jazzy flow that fills your ears is an introduction of things to come. Next up is his first single ‘Rebirth Of Skill’ that is exactly what the title says. Over some horn samples and a drum kick, Surreal reminds us that the key elements to a tight song are skills on the mic and a dope beat. The next track is ‘Each Step’ with a nice sax loop and a hard hitting drum. Surreal spits about his life’s direction and what keeps him going each day. No gimmicks or wild sounds to keep your attention, just straight up rhymes and a rugged beat.

The fourth song is a turntabilist track called ‘Scratch and Spit’ that has the DJ speaking with his hands crafting a track with vocal samples and scratching. It’s really a history lesson or Hip Hop 101 as the vocal samples talk about the art of Hip Hop and the scratches show it in action. It’s always nice to see the DJ getting a chance to shine on an album in 2005. Next up is a freestyle taken from the Spitkicker compilations. Listening to it I am not sure if it is actually a freestyle or written but it sounds fresh none the less. ‘Moment in Time’ is the last official track and it keeps with the sound of the EP, another head bobbing track from Surreal. This song has the emcee pondering life and taking a break from the busyness of the daily grind. He is able to take you to a place where you feel like you sitting across from him as he shares about his life. The EP closes out with an Outro with some shoutouts to his crew and friends.

At less than 25 minutes this is a real short snapshot of what Surreal has to offer. He represents himself well in this short time and looks to be someone who is going to do big things in the future. I have nothing bad to say about this piece of work besides the fact that it was too short. The music he made was dope and really has you wanting more for this talented emcee. It looks like he has a full length album coming out in 2006 so keep your ears open and eyes peeled and pick up this EP so you can tell your friends you knew about Surreal before he blew up.


3.5 of 5 stars
source: Sphereofhiphop.com, added: Aug 12, 2006
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