Customer Reviews

Let's Do It Again

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

 

 

Uptown Saturday Night was a triumph. It reminded me of how good a hip hop album could be. Camp Lo is Busta Rhymes meets A Tribe Called Quest Meets Digable Planets. The essential hip hop meets funk meets jazz is elemental in their first album, but is absent in this latest effort. There are a few choice tracks, but even Black Connection II lacks the luster that the first track on Uptown Saturday Night shone. Recommended for your CD library, but don't expect another Uptown Saturday Night.

Those of us who recognized Camp Lo's first album, Uptown Saturday Night, as a classic knew that it would be hard to live up to. Known for their 70's blaxpliotation style, jive slang and incredibly liquid flows, Camp Lo comes back with something almost completely new. I feared that their style would get old, but they have pulled another card from their sleeve and delivered an album that shows exploration into soul, funk and blues sounds.

Similar to the first album, several songs on this album show attention to detail. Standout tracks like "Glow", "How U Walkin'", "Soul Train" and "Macadame" have chorus' with several layers of smooth sounds that make them so infectious. The production is exceptional but it comes with a new flavour you may have to adjust to. Congo drums, funky bass lines, and even some r+b singing marks some of the new sounds that producer Ski is working with. "China Soul" and "Gorilla Pimp" exhibit the successful experiments, meanwhile, "Gotcha" and "Black Connect II" demonstrate the Camp's fascination with old movies, this time it's the high speed frantic film "Warriors" (Remember D12's "Fight Music" video? It's based on this movie).

Lyrically, Geechi still leads in the rhyme department but Cheeba's distinctive voice steals many songs with his supapimp vanacular that he adjusts to each track perfectly; "Cheeb' buyin hit lanes on fours, and I switch dames in full-color/ Dip planes on smalls, and I'm hot white, plus fur covered". The interesting thing about Camp Lo is that they don't rhyme so much as they just rap. On this album, unlike the first, they occasionally use a few rhyme patterns, which come off a little clunky as opposed to their usual mellifluous delivery. Regardless they still spit in a style all their own making them some of the best emcees to listen to.

Although I was expecting a few more tracks on the album, such as the single put out last year, "Cookers", and the track on the Stimulated Compilation "Something for Nothing" (both ill tracks), I am still happy to say the album is SO sick. Whether it proves to be a classic like the first, I'm not concerned, I'm just glad to hear Lo put out some good new material. Yo, Dymond Crooks, don't take so long next time and hopefully you get this album moving due to word of mouth because as far as I know the single "Glow" still has no video, plus no distribution deal in Canada (I dropped [over thirty] Canadian for this album). If you want a jewel be a crook yourself and steal this album. July 08/2002.

Many rap artists certainly made their mark in the 90's. Yes, it's true some fell off, but it's the question of why they fell off. Enter the experience the LO went through and you'll understand the means of being a good recording artist. While the LO was working on the second LP, Profile was sold to Arista. They were caught in the shuffle and chose to get dropped from the label. However, the 'chini brothers still appeared as guest performers on other tracks, like De La Soul's "So Good". It took forming up their own label, Dymond Crook, to establish their music creatively. One thing you gotta love about the LO is their love on making music and not worrying about the "figures". While they aren't the most popular among today's artists, they still hold a place in today's hip-hop era, proving to stand the test of time.

"Gotcha" - Fast paced beat and crazy lyrics find the LO in terms of heisting. Personally, I didn't find the chorus bad at all like other reviewer did. This song will remind you of "Krystal Karrington", the dark song that starts the rest of the album going in high speed.

"Let's Do It Again" - At first when I heard this song, I thought the beat was kinda repetitive and too bouncy. But the more times I listened to it, the more I grew to like it. Crazy lyrics. Very similar to "Luchini" in terms of delivery, pace, and song breaks but this time there's singers in the background. Now I listen to this song more than "Luchini".....perfect song to start off the day.

"Glow" - This song could be considered the 2nd half of Luchini. Too bad, it shoulda gotten more airplay; it definitely would have brought them back on top. Many found the chorus weak, it's cool with me. Cool soul singing in the background. Cheeba seems to have fun towards the end of the song...

"8 Moons Ago" - Hmmm, I was surprised that is song was a solo effort, but you realize the individuality between the two artists. Suede's voice works well for this song about losing a friend and a girl. Not too somber, nice piano pace, great singing similiar to Stevie Wonder. Very deep, nice effort.

"How U Walkin" - The perfect LO beat. Listen closely to the sounds in the background. You'll be doing a funky walk all your own to this joint...

"Black Connect II" - Well, in USN, Cheeba did say "Volume 1 of this joint" in the first part, so it's no surprise for this sequel. It's got a James-Bond-meets-the-Matrix rhythm. Nice storytelling of a good heist gone awry....oh yeah, stay tuned for a little something after this song goes off....

"Soul Train" - Perfect name, flawless beat, the LO are aboard the train, wanna ride?

"Gorilla Pimp" - Next to "Glow", this song was the other single released at the time the album came out. Packed with tom-toms, gorilla hoots, even moans and groans, one of the dirtest beats on the album. Good song I'll listen to occassionally.

"China Soul" - Yeah, the beat is amazingly close to a Jay-Z project, but that's OK 'cause the LO always comes proper. The LO do rip the mic though. Great chorus with Cheeba and the soul singers.

"Macadame" - Nice beat, although I'm not too fond of this song. I dunno why. Cheeba's distinctive voice goes great with Chris Stowe's high falsetto. Good pimp song, but the only track with a hit-or-miss quality...

"Turbo Ozone" - Once again, this song had to grow on me after a while. Handsome, formerly known as Jungle Brown, joins in, too bad it's only for one track though. Tight beat, similar to "Gorilla Pimp".....

"Carnival 4 Sha" - LO's uniqueness in beats comes once again with this Latin experience. One of my favorites just because only the LO can pull off a beat like this like no other. Yes, it's a little unconventional, but greatly appreciated to break the monotomy of hip-hop music...

"Skybox" - Beautiful finish to the album. This song works well next to "8 Moons". Other flashback to family and basically spreading more love is the message. A little short, but it serves its purpose....

"Let's Do It Again" explores the blues, the flashy side of the 70's, the aura of love, the play on instruments and vibes, the soul singers. Definitely edgy than Uptown Saturday Night, Suede and Cheeba continue to shine on their rhyming skills while the beats lie comfortable between them. And with most of the music out today in rap, the LO truely stands out with an original sound, both musically and lyrically. Good tracks are "Glow", "8 Moons Ago", "How U Walkin'", "Black Connect II", "Soul Train", "Let's Do It Again", "China Soul", "Carnival for Sha" and "Skybox". There's also a hidden track after the last song called "Crookz", however, only the latter copies of this CD may have it available.

5 years is certainly a while, but most of us understand why. The LO did it for themselves, for the love of music, for the fans who made it possible for a second album. Another great CD, and hopefully another one to come...

I didn't think anyone would ever capture the feel of Uptown Saturday Night, not to mention Camp Lo themselves. But, this album succeeds in recapturing the asthetic beauty of USN and then adds new twist and turns that only make this as solid a classic as its predecessor. I have never seen a hip-hop group take 5 years off and come back with the same fervor that had when they dropped off the map. And Camp Lo dropped way off the map. Who ever thought they would put out another LP? I certainly didn't, but I am so grateful that they did. There isn't one song on this album that isn't listenable and most of them just plain old make you shake your ass. Especially How U Walkin'. I'm in the shower jammin' to that joint everyday. Guerilla Pimp will have you ready to mack a million on a Friday night and Skybox is just pure beauty. What can I say? I'm in love with Camp Lo all over again. I only hope the public doesn't miss this one...I can not wait another 5 years for another classic album from Camp Lo.

A yo fam, I'm from the Bronx and I love camp lo. I don't care what anyone says, this joint is the best alblum of the year as far as I'm concerned. If you want to hear something original and not the same ol, same ol; cop this album exspeditiously.

I copped it this past Friday. I like 90% of the joint. The tracks are produced by Ski except for two. "Let's do it again", "Glow", "China Soul" are my favorites If you a fan of "Saturday Night" you will like this one. If you haven't heard of Camp Lo it's a nice alternative to hardcore, underground or commercial rap. Nice summer joints.

Lyrics - Abstract, similar to the last (What are they sayin', needs gettin' used too if you never heard 'em)

Music - Different, Retro '70's but 2002 dope. My head was bobbin' throughout the whole album.

I recommend it.

It's been a long a wait of 5 years. Yeah, they hit us with the single last year and an import CD which is expensive for only about half an album. I also heard some unreleased tracks, some of which should have made the album like "Sunkiss" and "Disco Tec". Uptown Saturday Night was a 5 mic album so I knew the next one wasn't gonna be that good but got it anyway cause I don't anybody with it. If they drop another album I hope they don't take 5 years and hope they "Do It Again" like the first record.

THE NEW ALBUM BY CAMP LO SAYS IT ALL..."LET'S DO IT AGAIN" AND THAT THEY DO BY CREATING ANOTHER TIGHT ALBUM. PRODUCED BY SKI WHO ALSO DID JAY-Z'S DEBUT ALBUM "REASONABLE DOUBT", THE TRACKS GO ALONG GREAT WITH THE STYLES OF THE ONE AND ONLY SONNY CHEEBA AND GEECHIE SUEDE MAKING FOR A BANGER FOR THE SUMMER AND MONTHS AFTERWARDS. STANDOUT TRACKS INCLUDE: "LET'S DO IT AGAIN", "CHINA SOUL", "SKYBOX", "SOUL TRAIN", "GLOW", "MACADAME". THIS ALBUM KEEPS CAMP LO'S FANS HUNGRY FOR MORE LONG AFTER THE ALBUM FINISHES AND HOPEFULLY THIS SHOULD BE AN ALBUM THAT DOESNT GET OVERLOOKED LIKE THEIR DEBUT. KEEP ROCKIN' AND STAY COOLIE HIGH.

I bought this album when it first came out in 2002. I've been trying my hardest to love this CD for almost two years now. I'm officially throwing in the towel. Honestly, this album is just okay. Where their first album was probably one of the top 3 releases of 1997, this album falls so short of expectations. Keep in mind that it took them 5 YEARS to drop this album. You mean to tell me that they didn't have enough time to come tighter? There are times where this album can actually be painful to listen to. Geechi hasn't improved at all on the lyrical tip. In fact, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that he may be getting worse instead of better. Sonny Cheeba was always tight on the mic and he actually improved his rhyme scheme. If you want the perfect example of the contrasting progression of the two, just pop the CD in and listen to the first track, "Gotcha". The optomistic side of me wants to believe that Geechi Suede is rhyming off beat on purpose(or should I say rapping, because his words aren't even rhyming). Maybe I missed the point here (part of me is hoping that this is the case), but if it's what I think it is, then Sonny Cheeba left his partner in rhyme eating his dust.

There are moments when these two kick flavor as if it was Uptown Saturday Night all over again. Though "Black Connection II" isn't as strong as the first one, they still manage to make a strong lyrical impression (the ending left me scratching my head though). "Glow" is the first single and it's pretty good for getting the party started while "Soul Train" takes things back to that blaxploitation flavor that we love from these two so much. "China Soul" has a tight beat and Geechi finally steps his rap game up and delivers on this track. "Macadame" brings back memories of the first Camp Lo album, but with an up to date flavor. This is the Camp Lo that I pay to hear. They actually finished things off strongly.

As a whole, I'd have to say that this album is quite uneven. I don't mean that in a good way though. There are times when this CD gives you hope that they are going to return to form and start ripping the rest of the album, but it never happens. There are some dope tracks on this album, but the impatient listener won't get to hear them before they get tired of this CD because it's as if Camp Lo follow every hot track with two horrible ones. I was disappointed with this album, but it's not completely terrible. If you can find this used ($5.00 or lower) then this will make a decent addition to your library.

Standout Tracks: Turbo Ozone, 8 Moons Ago, Gotcha, Soul Train, China Soul, Macadame (My Favorite)

Amazed is the word that comes to mind. I listened to this CD and I was simply amazed. Each track is a perfectly crafted masterpiece. The only Hip-Hop/Rap CD I have ever played as consistantly was Tupac's "How Do You Want It" four song EP. It was cutting edge and was taking this genre to another level. The exact same feeling came over me as I listened to Camp Lo's "Let's Do It Again" for the very first time.

My recommendations, musically speaking, are handed out very frugally. However, after my initial listening sessions with "Let's Do It Again" I started calling everybody I know, raving about this CD. I even offered to personally refund their money if they bought it and didn't like it!

Though each track is a gem, my favorite is "Glow" which has the music and background vocals of the song "Baby Love (Love You Baby)" originally performed by the ultra cool 70's group "Side Effect" ("Always There" "Keep That Same Old Feelin") on their first album. I believe "Glow" is slated to be the first single off the CD, and, rightfully so. It rocks!

I'll be giving out copies of this CD as gifts to many of my friends. That's the way I roll when I hear something that really moves me. This CD is special, and after your first listen, I'm sure you'll agree.