Long Hot Summer

Masta Ace | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 5, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yosumi / M3
• ASIN: B0002A2VQE
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,088 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Count (Interlude)

2. Big City

3. Good Ol Love

4. Fats Belvedere (Interlude)

5. Da Grind Feat. Apocalypse

6. H.O.O.D.

7. The Stoop (Interlude)

8. Beautiful

9. F.A.Y. Feta. Strick

10. Fats Crib (Interlude)

11. Soda & Soap Feat. Jean Grae

12. Do It Man Feat Big Noyd

13. Brooklyn Masala Feat. Leschea

14. The Proposition (Interlude)

15. Travelocity Feat. Punch&Words

16. The Ways

17. Wutuwankno Feat. Edo G.

18. The After Party (Interlude)

19. Oh My God Feat. The Beatnuts & Rahzel

20. Cellmate (Interlude)

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

This summer is gonna be especially hot as Masta Ace gets set to drop his 5th full length album ‘A Long Hot Summer’. After his critically acclaimed 2001 masterpiece ‘Disposable Arts’, Ace returns with the prequel. In an era of disjointed rap albums that are typically an uneven mixture of hits and filler, ‘A Long Hot Summer’ sets itself apart, by telling a compelling story through it’s incredible songs & interludes.

Packed with warm, soulful beats from some of the games best producers; this conceptual album follows the life of an underground rapper trying to make his way through the mean streets of Brooklyn. With guest appearances by The Beatnuts, Big Noyd, Edo G., Jean Grae, Punch & Words and Rahzel, ‘A Long Hot Summer’ succeeds in maintaining it’s cohesiveness throughout the riveting storyline.

The lyrics are deep and introspective. The songs are colorful and panoramic; forming what should be one of the best albums of the year and one of the most consistent Hip-Hop albums in recent memory.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masta Ace- A Long Hot Summer, August 4, 2004

By 

Constant - See all my reviews

This review is from: Long Hot Summer (Audio CD)

Rap Veteran Masta Ace has delivered an excellent release with his fifth album "A Long Hot Summer" (2004). This is actually my introduction to Masta Ace, who has been in the Rap game for over fifteen years. After listening to this one through and through I really feel I have been sleeping on a very underrated talented MC, and I know I am not the only one.

After the first track which is more of an introduction, Masta Ace delivers the goods on the fastpaced "Big City", talking about everyday people trying to make it anyway they can, Ace basically says don't just survive, thrive. 9th Wonder produced "Good Ol Love" is simply off the hook, backed by an ill beat, Masta Ace drops memorable rhymes while showing that he's still hungry. My favourite track is "Da Grind" feat. Apocalypse, love the beat, chorus and concept to this track, Ace talks about the ups and downs of the Rap game, what being an MC is really about at the same showing alot of love and relating with everyone who is working hard and trying to make it. Masta Ace tells it how it really is for many with the "H.O.O.D." a track about the streets and poverty. Backed by an addictive beat Ace brings another outstanding cut with "Beautiful", Ace inspires on this track promising to bring terror to the bling era and he does by delivering introspective positive first class music. An MC named Strick drops in for "F.A.Y.", a track about being angry with those who want to see you fail. One of Rap's most skilled female MC's Jean Grae then collabs with Masta Ace on "Soda & Soap", feeling the way Ace flows over this beat. Ace gives Mobb Deep associate Big Noyd a chance to shine on the thugged out "Do It Man". On Brooklyn Masala Feat. Leschea, Ace appreciates a unique beautiful Pakistani woman. Punch & Words talk about all the women they hooked up with while traveling on "Travelocity". "The Ways" is about the violent flipside of the Rap game. Edo G. pays a visit on "Wutuwankno" clearing up some misconceptions. Ace then does a multi collab with The Beatnuts and Rahzel on "Oh My God". Masta Ace returns on solo with the introspective "Revelations", which is really a track about being a madly slept on artist who's going to make it.

Masta Ace has an ill flow, provides impressive lyrics and production is tight from start to finish. Originally an 80's MC, Ace shows his longevity providing music that new and old Rap fans can enjoy. In his own words this is his last album, making it all the more valuable. I have a feeling a lot of people with sleep on this one, which is unfortunate but those who get it will appreciate it. "A Long Hot Summer" in an exceptional album, which I highly recommend for the collection.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An instant classic, testament to a hip hop legend, August 14, 2004

By 

Elijah Sampson "Elijah Sampson" (Pikesville, MD, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Long Hot Summer (Audio CD)

It is not often within the hip hop realm that an artist mixes honest and eloquent lyrics, smooth and poignant vocals, and an immaculate ability to flow like water. Masta Ace achieves what few in this industry have done within the past 10 years, he has created a classic album and recieved hardly any recognition for it. This just may be the album that hoists Masta Ace into the forefront and sheds some light on a hip hop legend that has been relatively unnoticed for 15 years. "A Long Hot Summer" is a masterful album with track such as "Brooklyn Masala", "Beautiful", and "Good Ol' Love" that if stood alone as singles, would be in heavy rotation with enough replay value to put your CD player into overdrive. Not a stranger to the "Concept" album, Mast Ace tells a story through skits that lead in nicely to each song, a format that creates a movie-like essence to the album as a whole. Ace has done it again and this may be his last so please pick this up because hip hop fans need to support artists that represent honesty and pure love for the game!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect album- perfect emcee, August 25, 2005

By 

N. Diaz (Pasadena) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Long Hot Summer (Audio CD)

This has to go down as one of the best albums ever to hit the shelves. This veteran emcee dropped a great concept cd that was below the mainstream radar. Too bad. I didn't expect too much from this cd. And, at first, the number of skits almost made me not purchase it...but then I realised that they were all part of this concept album that introduced the next song.... The different number of producers almost makes them challenge each other to produce a better track- which Masta Ace benefits very well. No- XXL, MTV or the Source won't mention this: This release is a hip hop classic. He will go down as a great story teller. Buy this CD...