Customer Reviews

Back 2 Basics (W/Dvd) (Spkg)

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

 

 

Let me state this before I say anything else --- "THIS OR THAT" is much much much much much better than this album. I mean its awesome to see that Sway & Tech still care about hiphop and lyricism as much as I do, but you can't even compare this album to This or That... infact even the album SAMPLER released on Sway & Tech's website was better than this album!

This or That was a mixtape that was a continuous flow of tracks, that blended so well together --- even the old school break in This Or That was showcasing how there were still rappers holding on to old school heritage. 'Back to Basics' continues the old school trend, but only in small dosages. Most of the R&B sung tracks tried to make lyrical heavyweights look commericalized and it didn't exactly mix well together. Chino XL & Tracy Lane did not mix well at all...

Anyway before I start complaining anymore, let me say why this album is also very good at times. Dirty Birdy was incredibly entertaining to listen to. Chino XL & Canibus FINALLY made a track together along with a hot appearance by Royce da 5'9. In fact, ALL the lyrics were very on point. Chino XL finally released some new material (OH I WISH HE WOULD GET SOME BETTER MANAGEMENT!!!)... although I REALLY FROWNED AT the 2000 live freestyle by him because it was released 4-5 years ago!!! Crooked Eye got some shine and his tracks were all fire (even though I heard the outro's verse before). RZA's intro was pretty hot. Dirty Birdy was fun as hell to listen to. Juice's track was really heart-felt! Even the rappers who popped up just for ONE verse all spit something hot (especially Canibus)... I'm just a little upset that some tracks on here were just some previously released material, rather than all the tracks being exclusively made for this compilation...

Either way, the album is stil 4.5 stars and the addition of the DVD to watch all the rappers in the booth helped to elevate this to a 5 star album...

Curiousity killed the cat, but if u come across this album for the first time. Your curiousity will be awarded --- in fact you'll definately be at least somewhat satisfied!

Those who expect the same quality or better than in This or That will be disappointed. Although there are a handful of standout tracks on here...this record could've been a lot better. It's missing the raw energy and dope lyricism from the first album. The songs on here seem more polished and aimed at a mainstream audience with too many R&B hooks and not enough fire. The dvd included is a real bonus and makes up for the album's shortcomings.

Yo This album introduced me to alot of artist I don't get to hear bout being from the east coast. I really enjoyed it. Some of the artist that I heard of or already purchased some of their work impressed me as well. The artist I were introduced to were Sly Boogie,Self Scientific,Kam and Crooked I. Crooked I man that man is pure flames right there though. I'm lookin forward to purchasing something solid from him. Of course you got Royce and Canibus, Common and others which makes this a all the gang is here kinda feelin to the album. Its' tight in my opinion don't sleep. If you wanna hear that raw midwest to west flow get this immediately. The production is there the artist show up and it's enough tracks to satisfy your craving of ill rhymes with some funny skits as well. Sway and Tech should get some hand shakes and pats on the back for this forreal. They openned my eyes to some artists I heard of but never heard.

This or That was a better album than this. There are some dope rhymes galore but my problem are the choruses to the songs. They're either R&B-flavored or just weak overall and what a listener remembers most in a song is the chorus. I suspected that this album would be different since Sway started working for MTV. Also, there's too much Chino XL on here. I like Chino as much as the next fan but I could have just popped in one of his albums if I wanted to hear him that much.

these guys are the truth, when it comes to hip hop! if u want hip hop history, check out these bay area legends! u will not be dissappointed!

When I received the cd, the case was cracked across the top of the case. I'm not sure if that was from shipment or from the shipper but I don't like it.