|
 MASTA KILLA – Live
(Gold Dust Media)
Who: Poor old Masta Killa was in jail when the Wu-Tang’s debut came out, so he only made it onto one track. Since then he’s been more prolific to make up for it, but he’s never been one of the Wu’s top-tier stars.
What: Live albums aren’t common in hip hop because, honestly, most live hip hop sucks. Masta Killa aims to disprove that. He begins with an a cappella of his moment of glory from Da Mystery Of Chessboxin’ which is pretty sweet and does the job. GZA and Inspectah Deck also swing by to lend their voices.
Well: As GZA’s apprentice, Masta Killa shares a similar flow and the Masta’s master demonstrates that with five guest appearances. Hearing the two duel and bounce off each other is a treat, although the kung fu samples sound better on the albums.
***
 SHAFIQ HUSAYN – Shafiq’ En A-Free-Ka
(Rapster)
Who: Shafiq Husayn is one-third of Los Angeles experimentalists the Sa-Ra Creative Partners.
What: Shafiq’ En A-Free-Ka is Husayn’s first solo album – the title means ‘infinity’ though looked at the right way it says ‘Africa’ or ‘a freak’, and all of those are appropriate. The chilled-out Cheeba features spoken-word voiceover about the nature of time over expansive astronaut beats and skittering saxophone. Lost and found is cyber-soul with rattlesnake percussion and cyber-soul.
Well: This is hip hop retooled with Fela Kuti as the base, mixing afrobeat and acid jazz to interesting effect.
***½
 WIZDM – Unrelenting
(Krosswerdz)
Who: Wizdm is half of the Brethren, who have been around longer than most in Australian hip hop.
What: There’s definitely an element of schooling the youngsters on Unrelenting. Facts And The Figures starts with Wizdm imitating one of those rappers who can’t breathe without an uh-huh or a yeah: “All you gangsta wiggers / Get your hands off the trigger / You’ve got the saddest image.” There’s definitely some influence from People Under The Stairs, only minus the drugs and swears. Wizdm is a nice boy. He even put a kazoo on one of those tracks and references The Lord Of The Rings.
Well: It’s nice to hear someone from the old school taking the kids to task. It’s not quite as nice to hear The Plot Thickens try to pull some of that Mike Skinner drama and not quite manage it, but nobody’s perfect.
***
 M-PHAZES – Good Gracious
(Obese)
Who: Melbourne producer (of Bliss N Eso among others), beatsmith and Bertie Blackman remixer.
What: A collection of 15 tracks, each featuring different vocalists over M-Phazes’ music. Drapht rapping about Elvis conspiracies over a stop-start beat is one of the best things he’s done. The Bliss N Eso track Walk On Clouds could be a cut from their album Flying Colours, and that’s not too bad a thing. Phrase, his voice fuzzy and distorted, raps over a beat that sounds like Justice. Dialectrix double-times it over horns and drums that gain speed as if they’re trying to catch up with his fast flow. Forthwrite (360 & Pez) try to sound like fun-loving guys in the jokey Club Song, but come off like the kind of douches who vomit on your shoes on Ann Street. Why do Australian rappers so often do comedy badly? 360 was funnier on his own album.
Well: Apart from horrible mis-steps like the last, this is pretty good proof of M-Phazes’ ability.
***½
JODY MACGREGOR (Is not a businessman or a business, man)
|
| Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged. |
|
Be first to comment on this article
