Customer Reviews

Mental Releases

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

 

 

This is Grits' debut album, and if you ask me, of all their albums it's the most indicative of what Bone and Cof would sound like if left to their own devices. The next album, FACTORS OF THE 7 is more of an east coast sound, while their last two albums have been more geared at drawing in a larger audience.

This album was released in early 1995, meaning that most of the material was written in 1994, arguably the greatest year in hip hop history. That was the year that ILLMATIC and SOUTHERNPLAYISTICADILLACMUZIK showcased the debuts of Nas and OutKast, respectively. This was still a time when hip hop albums were being created to say something, and not just to move units. Unfortuantely, this was also right around the end of the time that such albums could still sell. Not too long after this 2Pac and B.I.G. were killed and Pee Diddy rose to prominence. And you see what we have now.

MENTAL RELEASES fits right into the times. I see a lot of new fans who are all over Grits' new albums but no one pays attention to the one that started it all. At this time, Bone and Coffee had no reputation to help or to hurt and they collaborated with Otto, Ric Robbins (in his pre-DJ Form days) and Todd Collins (one of the most maddening producers around...one album sounds like a masterpieces, the next is horrible) to form a hip hop album based deeply in the jazz sound that preceded it.

While they've toyed around with their sound to remain relevent (and to feed their families) in terms of artistic credibility, I would have to say that MENTAL RELEASES is on par with the FACTORS album. And depending on how you like your hip hop, it may be their best album ever.

I've recently discovered Grits and dig all their material. If you've only heard their post-2000 ("new school") CDs and are curious about their older material, I encourage you to buy this, with one caveat. Mental Releases was released in 1995, so it sounds more like A Tribe Called Quest, Lords of the Underground or early Common than Jay-Z and Eminem, therefore, Mental Releases might appeal more to fans of "old school" hip hop.

If there are any old-schoolers who haven't heard of Grits, buy it ... it's worth it. Grits is among the best hip hop groups, Christian or otherwise.

This is a very oddball album, but then again, which of Grits early offerings wasn't =]

It doesn't sound much like their later offerings, with most of the tracks seem to really pay homage to the jazz roots of hip-hop (one of songs is directly about this). The rapping style is a little more old-school than any of their other offerings...different, but solid. Any big Grits fan should enjoy this trip back in time.

I am a HUGE fan of GRITS. I have their newest album, "The ARt of Translation", which is AMAZING and a MUST HAVE for any gospel rap listener or rap listener, period. I also have "Grammatical Revolution (which is the second newest) also a MUST HAVE. As for "Mental Releases"...I love it but I have to give it a "4 stars" (although it should be 3.5 stars) score because in today's standards of high quality production and swift flo's imbedded with tremendous thought inducing messages this album falls a bit short. If you absolutely love GRITS and are seeking something different this is Great. But I warn you: it's basically a jazz album with above average lyrics. Don't let all this daunt you...the album is GOOD and a it is GRITS (although be it old school) so just don't be surprised when you pop it in the Discman and Bonafide isn't ripping amazing Lyrics with awe-inspiring finesse and skill and Coffee sounds the same, but for some reason not as cool. Oh and if in so doing your waiting for the Ric "Form" Robbins and Otto Price Timbaland/Neptune-like beats...don't hold your breath, Price is there but he is playing instrumentals and the albums music suffers b/c of a lack of R. Robbins...but in the end if you Love Grits,get it... if you love Jazz, get it...if you wanna Jam and Praise the All High, God, I STRONGLY recommend "The Art of Translation" or "Grammatical Revolution" (the first is the BEST rap album I've ever heard, hands down, period, you will not, I repeat, WILL NOT be dissapointed)...I still love it though, but your not me are you...

Grits is a great way to stay hardcore yet still praise the almighty lord at the same time.Young christians can slip away from their destiny and take place in gang activity and music.With Grits you have your gang rap beat and still praseing. One of the top seven selling albums "Mental Releases"is a one way ticket into the world of cristian rap.