Customer Reviews

The Archive Live, Lost & Found

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

 

 

There really isn't much to say about this album. It's basically a live album with 4 unreleased (?) tracks. The unreleased tracks -- Hip Hop, Love 4 Sale, Word On The Street, & It's Nothing -- are cool and are proof positive that Rakim still has what it takes to be a dope emcee in the new millenium.

After those 4 tracks, you're given 18 tracks of Rakim during a live performance. He covers all the classics -- the joints he did with Eric. B (obviously) and the solo joints -- and he's just as sharp live as he is on record. I've never seen the man live, so this was a worthwhile listen for me. So why 4 stars instead of 5? The DJ doing the live show isn't so hot. I mean, he holds it down for most of the show, but he drops the ball on more than two occasions. Also, "It's Nothing" is a pretty forgettable track.

The Archive Live, Lost, & Found is a worthy release of live material from Rakim Allah. If you have no interest in his older stuff, this may not be the album for you, but all Rakim fans should find this release worthwhile. He holds down the show like any fan of his would expect him. While it's not necessarily required listening, it definitely doesn't disappoint. I recommend checking this out.

Standout Tracks: Hip Hop & Word On The Street

This is a very good summary of Rakim's songs. It does not replace the original work but is a way to hear all of the classic Rakim tracks plus some...

Rakim is always worth the listen. Brothers are still catching up with his genius. I wasn't pleased with the Dr. Dre tracks. I never did think that marriage would work. When you can work words and lyrics that beautifully
you have to keep the tracks gritty to match the flow. A good buy for all fans and the new crop of listeners.

The live tracks make you feel like you was at the concert, although they should not have muted the crowd, and a few new joints to hold you over.

Rakim's DJ in this live recording can't stop himself shouting "Yeah, Yeah", etc. All these live tracks sound as if they are from the same set, certainly a recent time period since Rakim is singing them in a retrospective style with the crowd getting the part of singing some of the best, most memorable hook-lines that break Rakims flow. There are some new studio recorded songs that sound good.