Customer Reviews

Break Glass...

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

 

 

As a newbie to Polyrhythm Addicts, I had no clue what to expect. Upon my first listen, I thought that this was the resurrection of The Fugees (even the album covers are similar). It doesn't get more fresh than this, and the amazing talent of emcee Tiye Phoenix may be the best female rapper to hit the scene since Lauryn Hill. Her excellent counterparts include Mr. Complex & Shabaam Sahdeeq, who also stay right on point throughout the album's entirety. All of which would not seem nearly as spectacular without the sonic execution of DJ Spinna's extremely fresh production. Although I was unfamiliar with DJ Spinna until now, he's a veteran producer, and his discography runs extremely deep in quality. He adds a wide variety of turntablism, downtempo house, and a healthy dose of electronica into a solid platform of hip-hop, creating samples and noises that stray from the norm of your standard hip-hop template.

I've listened to this album roughly 10 times in the past week, and I've yet to find any skippable material. The album is structured well with a mix of bangers, spaced out jams, love songs and is jam-packed with intelligent, and conscious lyrics. My favorite joint on the record goes to "Zonin' Out", which features some of my favorite production from Spinna, and some awe-inspiring lyrics from the gorgeous Tiye Phoenix. Guest appearances made by Pharoahe Monch ("Reachin'"), Large Professor ("The Purist"), Planet Asia ("One Chance"), & Phonte ("It's My Life") keep the album varied and strong throughout, although the true focus is never taken away from the core of the group.

This album is truly in a class of it's own, and if anything, Tiye Phoenix should turn some heads on to some true female talent in the hip-hop world. I've yet to find a hip-hop release this year that is this varied in style. Truly one of the best releases of the year...don't be caught sleeping!

Polyrhythm Addicts - Break Glass... (Babygrande, 2007)

The group Polyrhythm Addicts may not be familiar to you but its individual members probably are, especially Shabaam Sadeeq for his Rawkus appearances and DJ Spinna for his house remixes. However, they did release an album in 1999 before breaking up to pursue other opportunities. They got back together last year, including Mr. Complex and a new femcee Tiye Phoenix (replacing the other female, Apani B. Fly Emcee), and dropped Break Glass... For all the talk about the lack of quality hip-hop out there, listening to this album should change people's minds.

Spinna never misses a beat, giving perfect backdrops (hip hop, not house for the three emcees to spit over like on "Zonin' Out", "One Chance" (featuring Planet Asia) and "Reachin'" (featuring Pharaohe Monch). But although they state in "Kerosene" that they get compared to The Fugees but all of them can rhyme, it's Tiye's rhymes that always garner the most attention. As is the case with most rap groups with one female member, she makes the other members look inferior.

One song where they all falter is on "It's My Life" where guest Phonte of Little Brother steals the show like he always does (coincidentially, it's also the only song that Spinna doesn't produce). Also, the Addicts make more mainstream references that the average underground hip hop fan can tolerate. But this album should overall please those fans, and especially with the funny skit, "Poly Idol", where they talk about how Tiye's audition, we should hope that they stay together this time. -EJR

I don't ususally review CD's, but this particular disc is in a class by itself. First off let me start this review by saying that this is PURELY East Coast Hip-Hop. Don't get it twisted, theres not much synthesizer or lame melodies in the production by DJ Spinna. DRUMS, which are the essential element of East Coast Hip-Hop are prevelant and as crisp as raw celery. Shabaam Sadeeq, Mr. Complex & Tiye Pheonex hold there own on the MIC with LYRICS, something that is suspiciously lacking in todays "Hip-Hop". There are several stand out tracks including the ferociously laced "The Purist" featuring Large Professor and "Revamp". With the recent talk about Hip-Hop being dead which admittedly has alot of merit, after all the CULTURE is pretty much non-existent nowadays, "Break Glass..." is like a musical Lazarus.

The Polyrhythm Addicts did it again. This album is straight fire. The addition of femcee Ty Phoenix only made the group hotter. This is evident early on with Phoenix spitting B-Boy rhymes that will make Black thought of the Roots think twice on "Smash". DJ Spinna does the bizz with the beats bringing both soul and hip hop together in an harmonious mix of magic. Fams of true-school hip hop will not be disappointed.

Standout tracks:
Zonin Out
Thoughts of you
Revamp
Reachin feat. Pharoahe Monche

If you think hip-hop is dead, think again. Although the mainstream is "sucking" right now, the underground has been doing their thing this year. This album right here might be the best of the underground this year. The Polyrhythm Addicts are giving you the true essence of hip-hop. Here, you are going to find dope beats by DJ Spinna, and 3 MC's (Shabaam Shadeeq, Mr. Complex & Phoneix) spittin' some dope rhymes. Phoneix, newest member, reminds me of Jean Grae a little, but still dope. Also, you can't complain about the guest spots (Large Pro, Planet Asia, Phonte of Little Brother & Pharoahe Monch), they hold it down. The album is superior from start to finish. I love the flipped sample of Thoughts," the intensity of "Reachin", and the cold spittin' of "Purist." This is a must have album.........