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| Othello - Elevator Music |
| Release: | Elevator Music |
|  | | MyHHHdb | |
| Media: | [Audio CD] [Digital Download] | | Released: | 2005 |
| Recordlabel: | Syntax Records |
| Info: | 1. First floor
2. Rock rock (c'mon)
3. Season's greetings - featuring Sirens Echos
4. Heart - featuring Destro of Old Dominion
5. Consider it - featuring Page One of Lojique
6. Relax urself
7. Lobby - featuring Hipknotics
8. Elevator music
9. Organic
10. Heir borne - featuring Ohmega Watts of Lightheaded
11. Laugh track
12. How ya livin - featuring Malachi Perez & Deep6
13. Contingent - featuring MG the Visionary
14. Good will chopping - featuring RedCloud
15. Oblivious enlight - featuring Braille
16. No mic for thai - featuring Hipknotics |
| Rating: | Our users rated this release: 7.8 out of 10
(Number of votes: 5) Sign up or login to submit your vote |
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| | Review: | Written by Runaway
Wednesday, 23 August 2006
Othello - Elevator Music
(Syntax Records)
In recent years, we have seen Othello wear many hats. From
boom bap mic ripper with Lojique, to smoothed out jazzy
goodness with the Hypknotics, to some brilliant feel-good,
inspiring sounds from Lightheaded. Othello's ability to fit
into many styles almost simultaneously is very impressive.
His solo project, Elevator Music, is another piece of an
engaging and complicated puzzle. Because the album was
completed in 2003, this Syntax Records offering hints at the
artistic development already in progress with 2005's
Classic and Lightheaded's Wrong Way. Nevertheless, it sure
is fun to watch the evolution.
“Floor One”, the album's intro, marks the beginning of many
good decisions made by Othello. Good Decision #1: Get MG!
The Visionary to sing. MG's work on the album opener and
the lead single “Contingent” adds needed melody and
diversity to the record.
Good Decision # 2: Get a variety of skilled producers.
Muneshine, DJ Manwell, Ohemga Watts, and Othello himself all
contribute solid efforts. The standout producer here is Deep
6, whose hardcore drums and hard hitting piano and guitar
samples immediately grab attention. Also noteworthy is
Nickels who provides the transition from gritty, underground
Lojique-style work to soothing jazzy riffs on the title
track and “Organic”, two of the best cuts on the record.
Good Decision # 3: Get a number of talented feature artists.
Othello pulls in guest efforts from his past affiliates.
Lightheaded's Ohemga Watts (“Heir Borne”) and Braille
(“Obvious Enlight”) do not disappoint. Lojique's Page One
joins his old rhyme partner on “Consider It” and the
aforemention Nickels produces and scratches up a storm. As
well, The Hypknotics deliver some live goodness to smooth
out the record. Add to that Sirens Echo, Toni Hill (“Seasons
Greetings”), Destro from Boom Bap Projects (“Heart”), and
RedCloud (“Goodwill Chopping”), and you have an excellent
lineup.
The downside to this record is its unfortunate timing in
release. The previously released Classic marked a
significant shift in Othello's work, in which he found a
niche in jazz infused hip-hop. Elevator Music sounds like a
transition from harder underground material to more melodic
and soulful stylings – making the record somewhat
disjointed. In addition, several tunes are merely average
and glare brightly against some of the higher quality
material. While it may not be a fair criticism, Othello can
(and did) do better. Regardless, Elevator Music is an
enjoyable release for those enticed by dope beats and
delicious flows.
3.5 of 5 stars
For fans of: Lightheaded, Ohmega Watts, L.A. Symphony,
Lojique, Braille, Sivion
| | source: Sphereofhiphop.com, added: Sep 29, 2006 |  |
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