Maroons: Ambush

Lateef & the Chief | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Quannum Projects
• ASIN: B00031TXW2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,374 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Definitive Hip-Hop Release, December 14, 2004

By 

withthebeatzwiththerhymez - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maroons: Ambush (Audio CD)

I'm amazed at the lack of reviews/attention this album has received on Amazon and abroad. For those that don't know, Quannum has been releasing classic hip-hop since the early 1990s (see Blackalicious, DJ Shadow, Solesides, and Latyrx). On Ambush, Lateef (of Latyrx) rattles off verses over epic soundscapes provided by Chief Xcel (of Blackalicious) that range in subject matter from politics ("If"), to women ("Don't Stop"), to straight up battle tracks ["Lester Hayes," "Best of Me (Bonus Beat)"] with a ferocity and hunger unseen in today's hip-hop genre. I recommend this release not only to hardcore hip-hop fans, but also to those who appreciate live instrumentation, as much of the album incoporates live guitars, flutes, cellos, keys and drums. A Must-Own.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ..Just a Matter of Time..., January 28, 2005

By 

Tye that fly guy from the west side "Tye" (OdoubbleT (Canada)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maroons: Ambush (Audio CD)

This album is a real treat for your headphones. Thick Oakland bass line, break beats that could make my dad do the robot, quick verbal lashings and...the flute! No kidding this album is solid. The Truth Speaker spits on all levels - the best of me (bonus beat) is enough to make anybody shut the buck up and appriciat true lyricisim at it's best. I would have to say I support Quannum on every release because I'm guarenteed to:
1. Hear something completely original and honest
2. Support some self-made hip hop - these guy have been banging out thier stuff for ten years now - true roles model for any aspiring emcee/producer out there - buck the system
3. I saw these guys live and they truely do not dissapoint. Freestyling for 1/2 a hour??!!

To quote Lateef "This is the deep end/Believe we should be friends/Even if it means you have to act pretend/Cause if I sense you act with some pretence/I'm a call you out like a snare out of sequence......"

nuff said - werd.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars these cats make it happen, October 30, 2004

By 

D.U.I. - Donnie Understands Intelligence (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maroons: Ambush (Audio CD)

I first heard Lateef in 1997 when my friend picked up the "new" Latyrx album. I was stunned by the calibur of the hip-hop on this album, and wanted to know more about it. I could not find any more copies of this album, because Solesides was shut down, and Quannum took over. I did my homework, and realized all of the talent in hip-hop today came from Quannum. So I now have every Quannum album today, and just picked up the Maroons. This is THE best album brought to us since Latyrx in my opinion.
Lateef is my idol when it comes to hip-hop and I feel that with the Chief, these guys make it happen. Now when is the new Latyrx album coming out.
Come on guys spoil us.
Ambush is a guaranteed classic 5/5 all the way.