Customer Reviews

Long Hot Summer

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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...

I have follwed Ace since his Sittin' on Chrome album. I think the true way to judge a hip hop artist and album is based on longetivity. Ace passes those tests with flying colors. Every album he puts out is hot, and I think he can't get a commercial break because he won't put out any commercial bulls&** because he loves hip hop so much. Ace pours his emotions in every song he does, but never as much as on this album. You can hear the hatred he has for the corrupt rap biz in joints like Revelations and Soda @ Soap. There is no weak tracks on the album and it has great production from start to finish. Also has some nice cameos from the beatnuts, big noyd, edo g, and punch& words. Definitely get this album and disposable arts his previous album both are amazing. Ace hints throughout the album that he might give up rap soon, lets hope not if he keeps turning out badly needed joints like this in hip hop right now.

Hardly advertised, upset by the rap game, Masta Ace sells himself as a talented, educated and emotionally talented artsist.

A very under-rated artsist who still finds the strenght to come out strong. He shows the 2 sides of himself, the good loving and happy and the angry.

He did his thing on this album and definately deserves more respect than he has currently .

Peace !!

Shad Dawg

Everything about these album is Amazing. Great beats, amazing lyrics, and funny skits. What else do you want? Every since I bought this CD I have not put it down. If you are looking for something new, check out this album. If you have never herd of Masta Ace, don't be shy to BUY this album. There are no bad tracks, when you play it through, it tells a story. One of my favorites of all time no doubt.

Ace is like a fine whine it seems at times. The 5th go at it proves he is just as good as he was 10 years ago. A Long Hot Summer is a concept album it takes place befor Disposable Arts. It goes down smoth from a production stand point, useing a lot of soulfull beats that go perfect whith his honest lyrical skill. Its a relaxed kind of early Roots sound but whith more belivable kind of lyrics. There are no fillers on this album. Its the most beautiful thing ever and its about to bring terrer to the bling error. that the best way to describe this album.

Key Songs

-Good Ol Love

-Do It Man

-Wutuwankno

Ive known of Masta Ace for the longest but never thought of checkin his music out. Well this is the first album I came across. And I got to say, that im impressed. The album, overall is very good from beggining to end! Which is not really something you find when listening to albums. Every single song comes out REALLY strong production wise. The beats, keep that real hiphop sound, with the relaxin loops. I am soon to check out more of Masta Ace's albums, but I highly recommend this one to ALL hiphop fans! You will love it, trust me. His voice flows perfectly with every single one of these tracks. Not a weak track on the album! Get this!

My Top 5 Songs

1.Big City

2.Good Ol Love

3.Da Grind

4.Beautiful

5.Travelocity (One of the illest beats ever)

This is the BEST HIP HOP LP EVER MADE!!! A complete listen from start to finish. Masta Ace brought it like no one else has ever. Let's be clear, he's not my favorite MC but he made my favorite album of all time. I don't want to spoil it or even hype it up I'll just leave it at..... 10 stars!!!

Masta Ace drops 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.