Customer Reviews

For All Seasons

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4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
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Nature's (Jermaine Baxter) debut album "For All Seasons" (2000) is a slept on gem, maybe not a diamond- more like a ruby. It took me awile to realize what a nice album this is, and what a talented rapper Nature can be. Throughout this album he masterfully drops some memorable reality raps while showing impressive skills at storytelling, coming across like an established rapper on his first release. I first heard this Queensbridge rapper on the title track for the soundtrack "In Too Deep" with Nas. He was also a part of the Firm. The powerful "Man's World" has Nature dropping three ill verses inbetween an outstanding chorus. This is followed up by the memorable "We Aint Friends" a track about being betrayed by someone close to you. On the upbeat "S*** Like This" Nature drops some nice rhymes and reps himself. Nature and Nas deliver the goods on "Ultimate High" a wicked collabration track that will make you nod. Nature's storytelling skills shine on "Young Love" a track about having two loves, backed by an accoustic guitar Nature rhymes and at briefly sings, delivering another nice track. On "Nature's Shine", Nature talks about who he raps for and kicks some street knowledge. "Remember" is another standout track which has Nature reminiscing from 83 onwards. Two decent tracks follow then "Don't Stop" closes off the album. There really are no bad tracks on this though a few could have used better production and therefore fall into filler material for me (Go Ahead, Talking that S***) . Nature's lyrics do not dissapoint and his flow is memorable. The fact that he keeps his rhymes realistic and his ego in check enhance his music. I was also impressed by how this album has just one guest appearance (Nas). Nature keeps his listners entertained rhyming creatively, and by doing his own hooks and chorus's and even occasionally singing a line or two. Highly recommend checking out Nature's "For All Seasons" a strong first effort from a still relatively unknown rapper.

Yo, real heads have been waitin on Nature to drop since rappin on THe Firm Album, ON NORE's first album representin with The verse " I get p%#sy with my father's features. Representin with Nas, AZ, Screwball, Dj Clue and The Blood Money Saga. Every metaphor tight. Then on last year's hit "In too DEEP. Finally after 3 years , WE FINALLY HAVE THE GREAT "FOR ALL SEASONS". We all know, no disrespect to BRonx, BRooklon and the other burros, QUEENSBRIDGE PUT OUT the hottest rappers , lyricist that can be found: Nas, Cormega, MObB Deep, Screwball, THe Bravehearts, CNN, MC SHAN,The Jones FAmily and etc. NO difference when it comes to Nature. HIS flow spits all seasons, He brings the heat, cold lyrics, his metaphor reign supreme and this is the fall his hits will bump in your system. Go pick up For all seasons. Stand out tracks are 2,3,4,5,6,8,9, 11, 13. YO I rate his album 4.7 for a successful album debut. One . Worldsend

Let me start off by saying Nature is an enigmatic hip-hop artist. To say the least, his debut album For All Seasons also defines that of engimatic. Sections of this album are true hip-hop bangers. On the other hand, you have areas that are truly distasteful music. For All Seasons has a little something for everyone. Many feel this album is underrated, and it is when you compare it to the mainstream market, but when you take into consideration many are claiming this to be a classic, that's just not correct information.

Nature is a unique breed of emcee, with a very special delivery (no pun intended). He's actually one of my favorites. His debut album, while somewhat genius, was also somewhat gruesome to my hip-hop ears. I feel For All Seasons was pushed, and because of Nature's quarrel with The Firm, this album was probably altered from the original. In other words, Nature was forced to release an album he wasn't that much in control over. His second album, Wild Gremlinz wasn't a better album, but it was a true Nature project. It's too bad For All Seasons wasn't a proper Nature venture, because if it was, there may have been a classic in the making.

Tracks like We Ain't Friends, Man's World, Ultimate High, S**t Like This and Remember make up classic tunes. Then you have tracks such as Smoke, Nature's Shine, I Don't Give A F**k and Don't Stop that wreck this album. Young Love and Go Ahead are tolerable, but even that's giving too much credit. It's almost like For All Seasons starts off with a brilliant intro, then four classics, followed by two bearable tracks, then the rest is pretty much junk. They say one man's trash is another man's treasure, but with this album, there's no logic behind that theory.

In the end, Nature's For All Seasons is one of hip-hop's most bizarre albums of 2000. After hearing Man's World, We Ain't Friends, S**t Like This and Ultimate High, I had the impression For All Seasons was going to be a sure classic, but I was wrong. While Nature isn't a well known emcee, he's still one of the better talents out there in today's rap world. I think many are giving this album a classic rating based on that alone, which isn't fair. You can't put For All Seasons in the same boat as Illmatic, Ready To Die, Dr. Octagon, Liquid Swords, etc. It's not on that level. People who would argue and say it is, must really be experiencing the "Ultimate High".

NATURE
FOR ALL SEASONS

This was the debut album from QB rapper Nature after the Firm album failed to deliver like it should have. Personally I think that album was great but I guess everyone else disagreed. As far as rap goes I believe that this is a classic, it defiantly one of the best albums from NY in my opinion but it still got slept on.

1.INTRO

2.MAN'S WORLD-a wonderful start to the album as Nature flips a sick James Brown sample, speaking on how to be a man. The production from Poke & Tone is excellent and really fits Nature's style and would make a nice single. This is a classic in my opinion and worth a listen with out a doubt.5/5

3.WE AIN'T FRIENDS-this is another really good track as Nature speaks on former friends who turned their backs on him. Each verse is great and the beat from Lord Jamar is haunting and a little off at the same time, it is a creepy yet weird instrumental. This is another good track that all should enjoy.4/5

4.LIKE THIS-I love this song right here from the beat to the verses this is one of my favorite tracks on the album. The production from L.E.S. is really catchy and makes it sound like it could be a single if you edit it right, plus when the beat switches up it still sounds great in the second verse. Lyrically he kills it and even mentions The Firm, all hip hop heads should remember them.4.5/5

5.THE ULTIMATE HIGH-the song that most people will want to listen to since Nas guests on this track, and rightfully so since this is a classic. Nature and Nas trade verses about you guess what and hit with a catchy hook. Still the best thing about this track in my opinion is the production from Ski who did a great job with this. I love the flute he put in this track it makes it sound kinda smooth even over the bass.5/5

6.YOUNG LOVE-this is another track that has that mainstream appeal to it due to the beat and the subject matter. This is obviously about love between him and a young lady so this is a story rap, I think this is a good track. The beat from Gowdy is real smooth and has a Spanish kinda quality to it I think, not sure if that is right.4/5

7.GO AHEAD-Lord Jamar returns to produce anther track and like the last one it is another great instrumental that Nature goes off on. Nature goes off on this track and I like the way he flows on this track, the beat really fits the style of his flow. The beat is really cool sounding with some violins I believe and has a nice loud hit to it.4.5/5

8.Poke & Tone return to drop another single worthy production with a nice smooth vibe to it, it is kinda simple yet not if that makes sense. Nature drops gems on this track about himself and his crew and why he does this, a great track right here one of my favorites on the album.5/5

9.SMOKE-Poke & Tone return to drop another single like sounding track for Nature to get off on, but it sounds like another song I have heard maybe a Jay-z song or something. Obviously this is another track about smoking as if you did not know. Nature sounds great on this beat and the hook is really catchy. This is another really good song that all will enjoy as Nature does his thing on here.4.5/5

10.REMEMBER-one of the absolute best songs on the album with out a doubt as Nature really shines over this track with great insightful verses. EZ Elpee's instrumental makes it easy I am sure as it is very sorrowful and insightful sounding, it makes you think. Nature holds it down with some down to earth lyrics that most can relate to.5/5

11.TALKING THAT-Poke & Tone once again supply Nature with a wonderful instrumental that has single written all over, I like the soulful guitar that this track has. Nature as usual does his thing on this track with that bravado type rap as he kills the track with ease. One of the better tracks on the album, of course that can be said for all of these songs.4/5

12.I DON'T GIVE-this is a song about relationships or at least his relationship with a girl who cheats, or does he? That is what this story type track is all about and it is another good track worthy of the album. I like the hook with him and some woman as they trade back and forth, and the beat is great. Tim Riley did a great job on the production tip with a nice classical sound to it, I like the keys in this track.4/5

13.DON'T STOP-Poke & Tone return to drop a UFO sounding type of instrumental for Nature to rap over. Nature does his thing on here but it just doesn't seem like a good way to end the album in my opinion. I don't know what it is about this track because it is good, I don't know.4/5

This was an excellent debut album and I wish he would drop some more albums like this, he only has dropped a few more after this.

Nature delivers a powerful classic debut album finally. Features no other rapper except one verse by Nas. It has 12 songs total. Out of these there are 4 classics and 2 near classics with 2 ok songs but none worth skipping. Production is great on some songs and average on others. Poke & Tone do 5 songs, Lord Jamar does 2 and LES, Ski, EZ Elpee, Goody, and Tyme Riley all do 1. A highly slept on album that should have sold much better. This CD is a must have classic east coast QB gangsta masterpiece.

#2 - 10 (classic - remake of James Brown's "A Man's World))
#3 - 10 (classic - deep song)
#4 - 8.5
#5 - 10 (classic f/ nas - great beat)
#6 - 8.5
#7 - 8.5
#8 - 9.5
#9 - 9.5 (about the good smoke)
#10 - 10 (classic - about his days growing up)
#11 - 7
#12 - 7
#13 - 9

b. Jermaine Baxter -- b. 1972 -- Queenbridge, NY
QBC

check all my reviews

Nature is certainly a good MC and this is a solid debut, but some of the production sounds a little dated. Still, overall, it is a very solid debut. There aren't any bad songs, but I thought the top tracks were Man's World, ... Like This, The Ultimate High, Go Ahead, and Smoke. Nas makes the only guest appearance, while several big names do the production. Tone & Poke do most of the production, but get help from Lord Jamar, LES, EZ Elpee, Ski, Gowdy, and Tim Riley. Fans of NYC and QB rap will like this.

The hottest album of the fall season. THe ULTIMATE HIT!!

Nature's CD finally made it to the market. If your from NYC, you have probably heard the majority of the songs on this CD. Cutmaster C dropped a mixtape two years ago with the majority of the songs on this CD (and some unreleased stuff).

Nature is quite the over looked MC (over shadowed by Nas and The Firm Project). I think everyone associated with the Nas and the Firm Project has intentionally kept this man from getting to the mainstream because his style and lyrics are better than his peers (or any lyrics they can buy). Think about Nas, what's his best album...Illmatic, what about Nore.....CNN, the list goes on. Politics as usual. Through all the politics and BS, Nature made it. You might not see him on BET or MTV, once you hear this CD you will find a true jem. When you thing of this album, think about a starving artist who puts everything into his craft, for the artform not for the money! He's not you rich (or seemingly rich) artist, this album essence of a man and his music.

His lyrics are solid, flow is coherent and natural, and the production will keep you bobbing your head. BUY THIS CD, I'm sure you will be satified.

Stay up Nature!

After shining on The Firm's The Album, Nature drops his solo album For All Seasons in mid-late 2000. I've heard very little material from Nature outside of The Firm album, and figured that I would give his debut a try. To get right to the point, Nature's lyrics are very strong on some of the songs, and on other songs here is surprisingly weak. The album's production is well crafted, and the majority of it matches Nature's flow. One might go as far a to think that his flow is similar to Nas throughout this album.

The standouts here are easy to spot. "Man's World" is a hot track that samples the classic James Brown song, and luckily, Nature uses this beat wisely. "Nature's Shine" is another great track. Other great tracks include "**** Like This", and "Young Love".

Then there are songs where Nature falls short. Nas' short verse outshines him completely on "The Ultimate High". I think "Go Ahead" is also a weak track. Those songs show examples of Nature's lyrical weakness that can be found throughout the album as well, mostly towards the end of the album. The upside to all of this is that Nature's delivery is so consistent, that it is easy to overlook something like this.


For all fans of late 90's/early 00's east coast rap, they will find significance in this album here. Being second to one of the greatest artists in history, it is real hard to get publicity and promotion. That is probably why such a very good album was slipped through the cracks. Nature may not be one of the greatest out in game, but For All Seasons shows that he can give you a taste of what he is capable of. Peace.

Lyrics: B+
Production: A-
Guest Appearances: A+
Musical Vibes: B

Top 5 Tracks:
1. Man's World
2. Nature's Shine
3. **** Like This
4. Young Love
5. Remember

I've heard almost every rap cd that has come out the last decade, and I can honestly say that Nature is my overall number one favorite rapper. It's Cds like this that slip through the cracks that give me my inspiration to keep writing. From a production standpoint, I wouldn't get overally excited, you won't hear any beats that will blow your mind away. It's just his flawless confident approach in every line in every bar that makes him one of rap's elite. I'm not gonna sit here and write a whole novel trying to get you to buy it, but I will say that if you have never really heard much of this guy and you enjoy good rap music, this Cd might go down as one of your favorites of all time. There is no one else out there that sounds anything like Nature. There's about 9-10 tracks that are just fire. There's only one song on the cd that i skip. This is a must, must, must listen to