Customer Reviews

8 Million Stories

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After several years of relative anonymity, in 2002 producer RJD2 burst onto the scene with his first solo effort, the Def Jux-released "Dead Ringer", a (mostly) instrumental masterpiece rivaling DJ Shadow's "Endtroducing" as one of the tightest collections of beats ever on one disc. Soon thereafter, RJ, of the Ohio-based MHz crew, was all over the hip-hop map, seemingly overnight, kind of like Starbucks. From Aceyalone to Cunninlynguists to Viktor Vaughn (AKA MF Doom), the entire country's army of underground MC's saw fit to enlist the promising producer's talents on their respective albums, with good results.

Which brings us to the present. "8 Million Stories" is truly a gem of a hip-hop album. In itself, the album is virtually flawless: the percussion is never boring or monotonous; the sampling is, of course, perfectly suited to the moods of the beats; and, finally, Blueprint shows that he is a good MC when(!) he is in his element.

Personally, I'm not much of a Blueprint fan. Listening to him in the past (i.e., MHz's "Table Scraps", RJD2's "Dead Ringer", his own "The Weightroom", etc.), with his melodramatic vocal inflections and doting voice, made me want to jump out of my seat and be like, "Just rap, for crying out loud!" And still, on "8 Million Stories", he does occasionally fall victim to the same whiny, magnanimous style. What makes it acceptable in this instance, however, is the fact that the title "8 Million Stories" refers to eight million of Blueprint's stories. On this album Blueprint uses that schizophrenically staccato-and-soulful delivery as a means of furthering the story, in the same way a griot might with a wink or a snap. As abhorrent as that sort of rhyming may be on a crew album or mix tape, it works on "8 Million Stories".

And there are quite a few great songs, too. The introduction is well done, and the following two songs ("Printmatic" and "Inhale") maintain the momentum. "Jerry Springer Episode" is a funny take on girlfriends and how childish we men can be when it comes to them.

Curiosity ensues after the first of the three "Candyland" tracks. Moreover, why did RJ decide not to make a full song out of it? Although they may not be the best beats on the album, they are certainly not the worst, and probably would have benefited (benfited me, at least) from a full-length song treatment.

In addition to those tracks I named above, "Just Think" has a great, richly percussive People-Under-The-Stairs-style beat. Yet, the album hits its full stride in its latter half, beginning with "Survival". From there, and especially on "Share This", RJ does no wrong. The beats on this second half of the album are more slow and deliberate, maybe even plodding. Nonetheless, and purely from a production standpoint, I can say confidently that the best production of the year can be found in those tracks. "Run", although it sounds like it was composed of samples from an orchestra pit's pre-performance tune up, is richly melodic and rhythmic. Its minimal incorporation of high-end elements, with the exception of the faintly-heard tickling of a smoothed-over piano, massages your neck as your head nods to the catchiness of the beat. "No Excuse for Lovin" is another great track. The bassline, elctronic as it is, is hyptnotic. Really, "No Excuse" sounds like it belongs on a Portishead disc, or Massive Attack; it is certainly the most electronic track on the album. That said, it is also one of the best "trip-hop" entries I've heard in a long time.

The major problem I see with this album has nothing to do with the material on its own. Like "Dead Ringer", this album is not terribly accessible. It is not what you would expect from a hip-hop album, with its slow pace and Blueprint's unconventional rhyme style. Also like "Dead Ringer", though, is the fact that "8 Million Stories" seems to get better with each successive listen. For instance, when I first heard "Ringer", I was like, "OK, that was pretty good. Nothing spectacular or anything." Yet, on subsequent listens, I heard things I didn't hear before the time previous. Likewise is the case with "8 Million Stories".

For this album the key is patience. It does sound awkward at first, and yes, you may even be disappointed, especially if you were expecting a Gang Starr-style collaboration. No real bangers on the disc; it's not the kind of thing you bump in your jeep. It's just good music, as Murs would say. And if you can limit your prejudices and expectations of a hip-hop album featuring RJ and Print, your patience will be rewarded with the best hip-hop album of 2003.

The collaborative effort from beatmaker `Rjd2' and vocalist/emcee `Blueprint', certainly isn't your average Hip-Hop album. Those looking for something immediately accessible with celebratory / Party tunes will be sorely disappointed, and those expecting an instrumental collage cut `n' paste continuation of Rjd2's own "Dead Ringer" album will also be (Mostly) disappointed, but if you allow this album the time and space to convince you, this occupies a truly worth space all of its own.

Soul position feels conceptual in structure, as most of the tracks are loosely theme based (usually) around common situations that are familiar (or can at least relate to), so you have the stories of dead end Jobs ("Fu**ajob"), inexplicable violence on the streets ("Look of Pain"), articulate thought & Conscious self awareness ("Just Think"), straight through to Tongue in Cheek embellished girlfriend stories ("The Jerry Springer Episode") with the wit & swagger of emcee's like "Edan" or "Louis Logic". Rapper "Blueprint" who provides the lyrical content, proves to be a completely justified choice here, as although lacking some of the deft vocal trickery of Rap's finest, surpasses expectations by being multi-faceted in moving virtually seamlessly from the rapid fire delivery raps dynamics on the stunning "Candyland" interludes, that (in my mind), are so good, they should have been fleshed out & expanded into full songs. To the introspective, reflective authoritative tones of the more sombre tracks, injected with a playful sense of Humour that's as freewheeling as it is elaborate.

Rjd2 being the beat constructer for this album, confidently sidesteps thudding beats and incorporates a broader spectrum of sounds & influences than on his solo album. And the effect (if your prepared for a non-conformist approach) is truly stunning, with a strong Soul influence running throughout that encapsulates, piano, Blues Guitar, organ, gorgeous strings sections, and movie dialogue (that are expertly incorporated) give significant weight to the argument that he's amongst Hip-Hip's finest prodcuers, and for both "Look of Pain" & "Survival" an unsettling mix of vampire Horror String soundtrack samples, String Sections & minimal beats form a highly original movie soundtrack of sorts.....which are something of a mini-revelation, in that its feels more expressive than admittedly well produced generic Hip-hop beats (possibly an expansion from his "the Horror EP"). Throughout the album (which other reviews frequently mention) Rjd2 takes production to a new level, and truly shows how Hip-Hop has the potential to be so much more than simplistic beats, in fact so good is the production throughout this album, that I'm surprised the record label didn't make this a double disk release, with the second disk being purely instrumental.

As is mentioned In the spotlight review, This is an album that needs patience to extract the best from it. It's entirely possible that (Like me) you'll be expecting much from this album, and feel a little under-whelmed after the first listen, as it doesn't immediately draw you in, or resemble anything that could be played in a social / club environment (it's too subtle in its approach for that). It needs a few listens (preferably with minimal distractions), but each listen will unearth something new....something missed the first time, the production then beings to truly shine through, subtle references & wordplay are slowly digested, and the innovative arrangements and loosely theme concepts begin to gel. And it's at this point that mild disappointment turns into critical approval & a better understanding of what's been presented here.

This album sits somewhere uncomfortably between being a bit too quirky & alternative, and lacking immediately accessible tracks for mainstream consumption, and yet probably a little too heavily produced and indulgent too truly be considered `Leftfield'...it sits somewhere in-between the two polar opposites, but if you can look past that and enter into this album with no preconceptions of what to expect from the two artists involved (hard I know..), this is a extremely promising effort, that you'd been well advised to include in your musical collection.

Soul Position is a Hip-Hop duo from Columbus, OH that is made up of up-and-coming producer, RJD2, and Weightless label head and talented emcee, Blueprint. In 2002 they made a large splash with the short but entertaining "Unlimited EP", however, in 2003 they've pulled no punches with the refreshing and beautifully constructed "8,000,000 Stories".

When an album is produced by RJD2, you know that the beats will be well taken care of as he is easily a top 5 producer in Hip-Hop today. His style is a mix somewhere between DJ Shadow (aka, the man who gets the most mileage out of his sampler) and Pete Rock (horns and guitars, horns and guitars). From the lush brass sample that is like tears in the wind on the hook of "Share This" to the thumping sample (Wu-Tang Clan's "C.R.E.A.M.") that haunts "Survival", RJD2 blesses every square inch of music. And contrary to popular belief, Blueprint rips the mic on each track. Mixing a gruff, emotionally laden flow and voice texture with brash honesty makes Blueprint one to reckon with. While he can cut into emcees on battle cuts such as the bouncy "Printmatic" he can also compliment RJD2 emotionally and skillfully on the deep, thoughtful "Right Place Wrong Time". Overall, the album has a lot of balance between rugged and socially conscious and, unlike most things that have come out lately, it doesn't preach to you but is rather an attempt to relate and share. It even manages to be funny on the dysfunctional relationship ditty, "The Jerry Springer Episode". All in all, it's not dense, wishy-washy underground material but is uplifting, fun, and honest. As the album fades out on the incredibly heart-warming/heart-tearing "1 Love", Blueprint leaves some final wisdom with, "I realize I can't change the world no matter how much I try/ But hopefully I can start with you/ One line at a time, one rhyme at a time". And, after hearing one of 2003's best Hip-Hop albums, you may just feel that bit of change within you as most everything else you bought this year just won't sound the same.

After hearing the Soul Position EP, I couldn't wait for the full album to drop. RJD2 is one of the best up and coming DJ's, and i've loved Blueprint ever since I saw him live in AZ. Although I was a little disapointed the first time I heard the new album, I have come to love it. If you're looking to hear the catchy beats and heavy hittin' rhymes that are present on the EP, you to will be disapointed. This album is for underground hip-hop heads that respect good lyrics and good mixing. If that's what you're lookin' for, you'll love this album. For a dope heavier hittin' song, check out "Survival" with Greenhouse Effect. The rest of the album brings much slower beats, and deep rhymes. "Right Place, Wrong Time" is a perfect example of how well Blueprint and RJD2 work together to create a super-dope track. I can't stop listening to that one. Other than that, Dope songs to bob your head to include: "Printmatic", "Just Think", and "Run". "No Excuse for Lovin'" and "1 Love" are sick songs that close out the album on a slower note. This album deserves much respect and will be spinnin in my deck for many weeks to come.

I don't speak a good english enough to express my feeling about this album. That's really really good music. RJD2's beats are dope and the voice of blueprint is the perfect addition. In fact, this album may be strange at firt listening but when you really discover it, it is a masterpiece.

Best tracks:
Just think
Jerry springer episode
Printmatic
Right place wrong time

I also bought the instrumental version in vinyl and it's really good too.

with ease/DJ's, MC's/ Rethink your obligation to create"

That's the chorus for the intro track to the album. And through out it, that's exactly what RJ and Print do. This album is a car thumber and a brain thumper. The beats by RJD2 are so good you can't help but bob your head, while Blueprints lyrics make you ponder things. Blueprint ranges from thoughtful(11.Share), Battle (2.Printmatic) loving (15. 1 Love) and funny(4.The Jerry Springer Episode) on this dang near perfect album. While the song's Candyland help you revert to your childhood for 1:30 every time, songs like "no excuse for loving" and "look of pain" snap you back to reality. Pick this up if you wanna have a great hip-hop album that hasn't gone platinum, nor want's too


RJD2+Blueprint=Platinum! Well no but it does equal one helluva good album.

This is a really good album, but it could have been more. Like how the hell is the best beat on the album the freakin' interlude. Nonetheless, give this album a chance and you will enjoy it. Some good songs are Inhale, Jerry Springer and No excuse for lovin. Still, only RSE and Soul Position fans should bother.

Rjd2 has proved to me that he is the truth of music production. Blueprint is also a great MC who can conjure some ill wordplay and metaphors and all that good stuff. The Candyland interludes are indeed the illest beats on the album besides "1 Love" and these songs are so nice, that on my first listen, I was just launched into a zone where I was in awe of the soundscape.(Well the clock did read 4:20, too) Please, all my hip-hoppers and people in search of the real ish, pick this up and just bug out on the beats and take in the music on the sponge tip...Holla to the Jux and underground hip hop.

I'm pretty disappointed. Rjd2 continues his production dominance, but Blueprint simply doesn't hold up his end of the bargain. Typical verses are nice, but he simply cannot write a decent chorus to save his life. Not only that, but he seems to think he can, as just about all the songs on here do the chorus 4 times, 2 repetitions each. For an example listen to "Inhale," which has amazing verses but gets killed by the stupid chorus repeated over and over. It also irritates me that the best beat on the whole album is wasted on the intro. Some people may really like this but I'm sure you can find better.

I remember always thinking that RJ was absolutely sick and how his production combined with a decent lyricist would make a fantastic album. Once the album was set to be released I thought that under the Rhymesayers label they could hardly go wrong. I was only half right. RJ proves he can hold up his end of the bargain on production but Blueprint fails to do the same. RJ's work commands powerful thought-provoking lyrics which Blueprint just could not deliver. His voice is simply not alluring enough to make anybody stand up and take notice and I often find myself missing the point of what Blueprint is trying to say because I get to bored with the mundanity of his voice. On closer inspection the lyrics are nothing that impressive either. The most powerful parts of 8 million stories are the mournful samples thrown in by RJ himself that can be seen in all his prior work (ex/ No excuse). In reality I am looking forward to another solo project by RJ than another Soul Position album.

3 Stars for RJ...none for BP...