Customer Reviews

Chitlin Circuit

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A friend of mine told me that hip hop was dead.
I told him that she's not dead, she's just hiding
and it's up to us to find her now.

Thanks Little Brother. It was great to see her again.

-MOLA1

"The Listening" was unquestionably the best Hip Hop album of 2003 that nobody heard of. It was an impressive and focused debut, which brought about a refreshing sound while simultaneously invoking an old-school vibe. The flow of the debut was consistent while "The Chitlin' Circuit (1.5)" is not. Perhaps the problem lies in the concept itself; emphasizing the 1.5, "The Chitlin' Circuit" is not meant to be the sophomore album for Little Brother. Instead, it is a collection of unreleased tracks, b-sides, and remixes. While listening to the album, you don't get that feeling of cohesiveness, where the upcoming track builds off of what preceded it; it's very hit-or-miss, on and off. Also, some of the production is awkward, noticeable in most of the remixes and the latter half of the album. But under all of that, there are some noteworthy tracks including "War," "The Honorable," "Nobody Like Me," and "Altitudes." But truthfully, I don't think any of the tracks are prominent enough to be highlights. When opening the album and taking the CD out, the first thing you'll probably notice is the "The Minstrel Show... coming soon" subtext. Set to be released sometime in September, the (real) sophomore album has been previewed by various members of the press, and is already being highly praised. Hopefully, it will redeem with exceptionality and make up for what this circuit has lacked.

I don't know about yall but when you have to be convicted for murder to sell records...it's a disgrace to the game of hip-hop...wanted to add that before i start....anyway...I was going to purchase this cd regradless of the 8-9 songs that were on the previous one...real hip hop fans have to realize that this is the last underground lp from the trio before they hit the mainstream...i do believe that people will be listening after the release of The Minstrel Show...Listen to the word play on The Beginnning and the chemistry between Phonte and Poohbear on WAR....these cats are serious and the industry better watch out...and I'm not going to even get into the other JL cats...

LB is one of the predominate acts in rap's underground that have been steadily garnering much attention and praise for their excellent music. Their the able The Listening was considered a classic by many. Now they present their fans with the mixtape Chitlin Circuit 1.5. Firstly, one must understand that this is a mixtape, which is made up of scrapped songs, a few exclusives, and remixes, and thus lacks quality of a cohesive project. However, this one excellent mixtape that is filled with many quality tracks and quality lyrics. Songs that stand out the most include: "The Honorable", "Nobody Like Me", "Starvation", "Welcome to Durham" "Flash and Flare (very unique song)", "Doin Me", and "The Beginning". The the remixes, in my opinon, are a waste space that could have been filled with other songs. The guest producers Illmind, Young Guru, and Khrysis help to add diversity to the sound of the cd, which is filled with much of 9th Wonder's sound (not that that's an issue ofcourse). The mixtape is an excellent appetizer until the release of The Minstrel Show.

If you're reading this review, you must know a little something about Little Brother. The one group out there that just seems to do it right- 9th wonder's beats are always amazing, the chemistry bewteen Big Pooh and Phonte reminds many of Tip and Phife from ATCQ, and they just make damn good hip hop.

A few months from now the group will drop "The Minstrel Show," their 2nd LP and follow-up to the timeless classic "The Listening." In between those two albums, the LB's have been busy- Pooh dropped a hot solo album, Phonte and Dutch-based producer Nicolay created the fantastic Foreign Exchange LP, 9th Wonder has been making beats for EVERYBODY, and the Justus League crew unloaded mulitple LPs worth checking out.

Oh yeah, in that timespan, Little Brother also released a mixtape entitled "The Chitlin Circuit." It had a limited release, selling copies mainly at shows and on the net, but was a tightly knit package of remixes, b-sides, and unreleased joints. Now comes TCC 1.5, with 8 new tracks and some new packaging.

I can only guess that the group wanted this mixtape to reach more people, and help generate buzz for the new album. Fine. But for the true fans who copped the original TCC tape, it's too bad more new material isn't included here. And for those who missed the first one, it's a shame tracks like "Tension," "On And On," "Shake It," "Starship," "Threatening," and "Sinners" aren't included here, even if they are available on other albums.

That said, the new tracks are dope. "War" has 9th flipping a crazy kiddie-toy sounding sample, while Phonte's rhymes sound better than ever. The solid production continues on "The Honorable," "Third Party," and "Nobody Like Me," which feature the standard (but always on point) Justus League braggadocio rhymes. "Flash and Flare" and "Ladie's Jam" are skippable, but "The Beginning" is a great closer.

Also included are some standouts from the first edition, including the Kanye-assisted "I See Now," which is one of my favorite 9th beats of all-time, a BDK scene-stealing appearance on "Welcome To Durham," "On The Way," and the dreamy "Altitudes."

Bottom line, if you're a fan of Little Brother and haven't heard the first CC LP, you'll love this edition. If you have the first one, you'll have to decide whether or not the 8 new tracks are worth the price of the album. I think they are, for the simple fact that Little Brother's brand of hip hop is head and shoulders above most of what's out there in 2005.

it seems alot people dont like this album very much, as it is a crude sampling of left-over songs and spur-of-the-moment stuff, but thats part of what makes it good. the fact that this is scrap material makes every other LB release so much better.
the cd starts off banging, and stays that way through the entire album. if you havent heard Little Brother before, i suggest checking this cd out.
Best Song: What You Do / The Beginning
Worst Song: Third Party

If your an underground mc appreciator, then this cd is for you . I just bought this cd on Friday..this was one of the best purchases I've made in a long time. Lyrics, Beats, Delivery is on point . I am so impressed at the production on this cd, 5 star quality . I can't even believe the Source magazine was down grading this cd ? Why , this is what real flow is suppose to sound like ..Straight grimy. Thanks for this delivery .

OK, I'll be the first to admit that the lyrics are not "groundbreaking" but the style and beats makes all come together in what is one of the best pieces I have spent my hard earned money on in some time. This is a perfect recording to sit down and chill with. Also look at The Foreign Exchange.

Damn. it is good to see that hip hop is still alive. This is a wonderful CD. The production is on point and lyrics are deep and not the same crap you hear on every radio hit. With 9th Wonder on most of the production...you simply can't go wrong.

I get weird vibes from Little Brother... I love the production and Phonte and Poo definitely do their thing - but someway somehow, something doesn't mesh. I can't put my finger on exactly what, but all I know is - I'm feelin' the album one minute and the next I'm like... it's Aaight. I felt the same with the first album. Everyone was all on the debut like that was the best album of the year, but I don't know - it was Aiaght. Needless to say, I copped Chitlin Circuit, and again it's Aaight. I respect their skills and all, but I think I gotta be in the mood for them. It's not that their wack or anything - it's just that certain joints bang hard and others are just... Aaight. Then they kill me when they go ahead and put on a couple of cats with zero rhyme skills. I don't get it. I guess their albums haven't been consistent enough for me. But I did love Foreign Exchange! I was feeling that!