Customer Reviews

Composition No.1

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tired of verbose 'underground style' posturing? Sick of 'banging' hip-hop overrun with commercial interests? Can't find that perfect album for driving around on lazy summer days? Well look no further because la symph have the remedy. Don't be put off by the 'christian underground' tags as they do nothing to reflect the unabashed mid 90s hip-hop ethic that these guys espouse. Valuing fun over multisyllabic wizadry and antagonistic battle rhymes, la symph sounds like de la soul circa '3 feet high..' collaborating with Jurassic 5 and Black Eyed Peas of present day. Derivative yet still creating their own distinct sound, this group will bring you back to the native tongue years as they rip tracks such as 'composition no 1', 'night after night', and 'everybody get'. Production does fall off at times resulting in weaker songs such as 'little shirts', but this is made up for with tracks such as 'look at me dancing' - a sort of love or hate song in the vein of the freestyle fellowship.

LA symph have brought the fun back into hip-hop without objectifying women or caricaturing the 'ghettos'. With God on their side these guys can't really go wrong.

If you buy one CD this year make it LA Symphony. Think of pharcyde, jurrasic 5, and black eyed peas all rolled into one, but with clean lyrics. For once a group where each member is as talented as the next. If you're as tired as I am of hearing Juvenile talk about money and Missy talk about the matrix, then check out LA symphony for some fresh/original hip-hop.

these foos are the tightest MCs in the universe. This is the type of stuff I'd make my sister and parents listen to... regardless if they were rhymers or not I would be proud to know these doods..well from what they express on their albums.. these MCs (NOT "dead weight" rappers) can move a crowd with utmost perfection.. happy beats homogonize with the lyrics as opposed to those beligerent, battle type of rappers. Words they convey fabricate images of the positive aspects of L.A. Life which is what we need more. ARTICULATE, VERBOSE, HUMBLE, INTELLIGIBLE MCs comprise a post millenium hip hop style .. L.A. Symphony rises amongst the best along with FREESTYLE FELLOWSHIP, J5, STYLES OF BEYOND, DILATED PEOPLES, BEAT JUNKIES, VISIONARIES, THE ARSONISTS(new york) and everyone else founded from the streets of L.A.!

This compilation from LA Symphony again proves that the most creative hip hop being made today is rising from the California "Christian Hip Hop" underground. In 1995, LPG renewed a movement begun by SFC in the 80's that countered the hedonism that overpopulated mainstream hip hop with an emphasis on the original elements of hip hop. This movement has been rejuvenated once again by the collective mc's of LA Symphony. This album is an excellent blend of east coast verbal acrobatics and west coast new school beats. The lyrics are light and upbeat, but still have you pressing rewind. "Composition No.1" introduces you to several members over a tight instrumental with the flyest guitar loop since "Gone till November". I was visably shaken as B-Twice and Pigeon John took turns shredding the beautiful melodic structure of "San Diego". Strangely, the track kinda had me thinking jingle bells. "Everybody Get" is the kinda track that has the head bobbin and the low end in motion. And the cameo by Sup (da Chemist) seemed to tie everything nicely together on "Night after Night". I could go on about every song on this kid, but I only have 1,000 words. If you are as sick of the current state mainstream hip hop as I am, check for yourself for real. This CD is full of promise for a new style of hip hop to take over.

Most people don't like their style. Everyone in the group has a unique style all to their own, but they are reminiscent of Wu Tang in the way they bring so many different styles together successfully. This is a must have album of Hip-Hop!!! In my opinion it should be a hip-hop classic right up there with "Enter the Wu-Tang", "Biggy Smalls", "Nas (self titled)", etc. The coolest thing about these guys is they happen to be 100% born again Christians. Well worth the money even if you've never heard of them. They're from L.A., as their name suggests, and they do some of the craziest, tightest live performances. Also, this is a hard to find album, and usually only Christian bookstores carry it if you're lucky. They usually jack up the price to make a profit too. One other thing, if you're tired of west coast hip-hop that's geared toward gang or reformed gang member content then this is your best bet. All they do is rhyme about life and sometimes nonsense, sorta like the Beastie Boys.

LaterDays,
Jerusalem Kid

I really really randomly came across this cd, and it was a true blessing. It's some nice laid back hip hop from the west. If your a hip hop fan and enjoy music you can listen to on a chill sunny day, check this out. Some nice tracks are, sea breeze, night after night remix, and composition no. 1. Peace

This is simply THE best underground group out there. They have a feel of groups like Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples and even some of Guru's stuff. This record is way too hot to be kept under wraps, son. I heard them in the form of Brainwash Projects (which is Pidgeon John and b-twice from L.A. Sym) and again on DJ Maj's compilation cd. These guys are worth travelling in a car for 2 days just to see them perform at a small club. (trust me, I did) Please buy this record, and contribute to the advancement of this excellent group.

L.A. Symphony may take a little time to adjust to for all you Ludacris fans, but if yOu're looking for some poetic rhymes and clever lyrics, look no further! These guys have got some skills, and this Freshman album certainly is a great addition to any hip-hop collection! I especially love the songs "Little Shirts" (About girls with little shirts on) and "Sea Breeze". Buying this CD is not something you will regret!

This cd is great, I found myself going back and listening to this cd after a month or so hiatus, and couldn't help but kicking myself in the... for keeping it away from my cd player, everything about this cd is cool. From the animated exciting wordplay of Pigeon John and J-biets, to the smooth rhymes of Sharlok Poems, and here's a novel concept, there is absolutely nothing offensive in the entire cd.

Granted this is A cd by a bunch of Christians but don't let that stop you from enjoying , this cd is made for everybody who likes the art of hip hop.

all of the emcees are above just about anyone out there , ( except Cookbook, and Uno Mas, and Flynn,) but their not bad themselves.

Songs like Heartfelt rhymes" ,and "look at me dancing" are some of the most fun, and energetic tracks you will ever hear.

Do yourself a favor, if you like hip hop buy this album.

Wow. LA Symphony's "Composition No. 1" is by far one of the most universal crews out there. If you like smooth beats, funky basslines and clever wordplay, you must get this album. NOW! Would be cool if LA Symph came out with a performing live album like The Roots. (big ups to Pigeon John; Is Clueless is a great album and to Uno Mas, Cookbook, S. Poems and the rest of the LA symph crew. Keep innovatin' and creatin'. Late.