Customer Reviews

Maroons: Ambush

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is one of those albums that only has 10 tracks, but every track is high quality. So it's a quick listen and when your done you want to keep it close so you can listen again. The beats on this album are so on point they stab you, it's incredible and will deff put you in Neck Mode. The other thing I like about this album is it has a different feel to it than the majority of stuff out there now. I hadn't heard of this group but then once I read who it was I knew it would be good - and it's better than I even expected. Well worth the $$ to purchase this album.

Lateef & The Chief put together a solid album in "Ambush." Lateef's quick-spit method is perfectly interlaced within the classic funk beats of the '60s and '70s. What's also nice is how the album is delightfully uncluttered: it is fairly short, and does not have many (if any) features of other artists. Thus, the cohesion is superb. This album is highly recommended.

This album is the pinical of quannum quality, and I love em all. Gab, pigeon john,lyrics born, latryx, blackalicious, aspci, g elec, so on. I can see how some might see a few of the tracks as weak, but know that I disagree. People have higher expectations of concious rappers (as they should) but when they throw out a few fun tracks, like "dont stop" (which I feal has a positive message, although not political) people dismiss them as "duds". Enjoy the music!!! Enoy Xcel! This cat dominates as much if not more on this album. As far as Lateef.. you would be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable mc. Don't be suprised if he plays a bigger role in the next Blackalicious album, or drops another Maroons album that surpasses this one.

Quannum, like Stones Throw, can't really go wrong. There is no doubt in my mind that this underground outfit is among the most consistent hip hop labels out there. This album, featuring Quannum main-stays Lateef and Chief Xcel, is gold. I'm not exactly sure when it dropped - I lost track of its release somewhere towards the end of last year and discovered it two weeks ago among forgotten Latyrx singles and frayed Nia albums. What a gem though. Nine (+ 1 bonus) tracks of no-nonsense straight-up underground west coast hip hop. Lateef spits fire, which isn't a surprise considering he studied under Gift of Gab, the greatest MC of all time. His raspy voice may take a little time to get used to, in fact he comes off sounding a little Slim Shady at times, but I can appreciate that. Imagine Eminem spitting over quality underground beats - don't think I didn't see you smile.

Chief is a great producer, no denying that. I wouldn't say it's his greatest work but even his sub-par production blows most other beatsmiths out the water. Tracks like "If" and "Lester Hayes" make you want to get up a shake you money maker, while tracks like "Beautiful You" make you want to bear his children he's so good.

Combine Lateef's witty rhymes and stellar flow, Chief's head-banging production and a guest spot courtesy of the Gift and you have an album worth copping to get you through the winter blues. 2005's been dry so far and it'll stay that way if you sleep on this. You know Blackalicious are going to push their dates back to 2009 and the last time I waited with baited breath for Common to drop a new album he came out with Electric Circus. Yeah.

alright, this album....even though its only 10 tracks long...this album outweighs almost everything i've ever heard that's come out of this record label. Cheif Xcel is on TOP of his game and Lateef is...well...Lateef. Him and Gift Of Gab are the best MC's on Quannum so, i wouldnt except anything less of him on this one. The album covers a bunch of notable subjects. "If" is a nice anti-war track that really surprised me. This isn't even hip hop to me. this is just art. its got a nice hip hop foundation...but...i dunno...i'm listening to it right now, and i cant seem to come up with anything other than perfection to describe this album. just dope. BUY THIS AND CRY TEARS OF JOY

With almost anything you get from the quannum projects crew, it never seems to suck, it is all good music that steers away from even the most traditional underground hip hop genre.
Cheif X-Cel's production on this CD is a marvel; it sounds better in some points then it does on the blackalicious albums. This man always uses samples like they were his own music and his basslines and beats have simple patterns but still carry depth like no other prodcer.
If you are unfarmiliar with lateef, he has been on quannum for a while, usually on collaberations with Lyrics Born (latryx) and gift of gab. His tone can sound a bit goofy but its the only goofy rap tone that can draw anyone in. Lyrically, the man is all skill.

If you like the quannum releases, and especially Cheif Xcel, get this CD as soon as you can. Xcel easily gets best underground hip hop production of the year for this one.

Quannum has done it again with an Xcel-lently produced album that is both bumpin' and beautiful in its musical and lyrical texturing. As usual, Lateef steers clear of the current rap cliches, deftly delivering rhymes that range from playful to political. The funky, head-nodding backing tracks supplied by the Chief are somewhat of a departure from the more experimental sounds on Lateef's earlier projects (most notably his work with Latyrx). While it may not be as 'deep' in this respect, it is definately more listenable.

I love how all the different permutations and configurations of Quannum artists (Chief + Gift of Gab = Blackalicious, Lateef + Lyrics Born = Latyrx, Lateef + Chief = Maroons) leads to a wide variety of unique sounds that seem to transcend the hip-hop genre. This is just good music. I wish there was more out there.