Customer Reviews

Mind Over Matter

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Oakland based crew consisting of emcee Zion, DJ & producers Amp Live and Kahilid are showing the world how diverse hip hop coming outta the Bay Area is. Like the Hieroglyphics, Living Legends, Spearhead and Quannum, they are making a name for themselves by providing sounds like no other. While *initially* this cd might seem to have a over-abundant amount d&b flavored joints for your average hip hop head to handle such as, "Metropolis" and the hypnotical, "Elevation" that all becomes more and more addicting with each listen. A bundle of positive lyrics are spread throughout the entire album; down to the albums interludes the album is overflowing with just dope messages. Plenty of guest emcees also bless the mic. "Silly Puddy" features Living Legend, The Grouch as he drops some science with Zion about the way in which the Creator molds us through lifes obstacles and experiences. Several other appearances include: the Cali Agents Planet Asia and Rasco, Eclipse and turntablist Vinroc. Zion even drops some downright sentimental sh!t in, "Venus" a track about a green-eyed broad (Venus) who lures wealthy "pray" into her web. Dispite the fact that she recieves gifts and attention she has yet to realize that all is a temporary, artificial happiness. "She want money stacks, Phat Cadillacs/ Spend all her time dinin' out with big macks/ Thinkin that the green give her something to feel/ But the best thing she can do is just chill..." Thus, like a terrible addiction, she only wants more and as even more cats fall victim to her ways. Production wise DJ K-Genious and Amp Live are definitely on point; nice cuts and scratches, and the electronica isn't overbearing as it meshes well with the emcees that grace the album. My B-Boys & Girls, support this crew of three concious, uplifting cats and check out what they have to offer. I promise, it won't dissappoint.

Favorite cuts: + Critical + Elevation + Silly Puddy + Inner Light + All the Way + Just get the cd already.

It seems few musicians these days can actually be called "artists," and even fewer of the musicians are rappers. Zion I proves that true, artistic, real hip-hop still exists. Sellouts like Jay Z and puffy may be able to afford fast cars and extravagant egos, but they seem to have missed the point. Hip-hop is a generation, a revolution of creativity and expression. Zion I understands this, mocking the idiocies of [...]; rap (Fool's gold). Anyone interested in pure, enlightened hip-hop should definitely buy this cd. Zion I, Tribe, Common, The Coupe, Hieroglyphics, Black Star, --- all groups that will save the future of music from Cash Money, No Limit, and other greed-based labels.

This is definitely one of the tightest cd's I have heard in a long time. Much respect to Zion, Amp Live and DJ K-Genius. I am a person who is tired of popular hip-hop which is degrading to my spirit. "Mind Over Matter" gives me inspiration to elevate my spiritual awareness. Zion gives a unique and versatile journey of his innermost desires. The beats are tight and the scratching brings it all together. Favorite tracks include: Trippin, How Many, Venus, Innerlight Remix, and One.

We will hear from Zion I for a long time. 418 still in effect.

Jendayo(Melatone)

Zion's thoughtful and crisply pronounced lyrics blend surprisingly well with an otherwise fundamental hip-hop/electronic production by amp live and DJKG. Speaking strictly from a listeners perspective, I listened to this for the first time while I was driving at night, and I found the smooth baselines overwhelmingly hypnotic. There is a lot of complexity and attention paid to the lead instruments as well. I think almost any music lover, regardless of their attitude towards hip-hop in general, can find a way to enjoy what this album has to offer.

okay, it always depends on what people are used to in order to rate an artist or an album - i am certainly into alot of fresh things out and this labum presented a new era to me. it made me understand that hiphop is the description of music that can take any direction of genre. on this cd, there is no single track that i would not concider unorthodox or anywhere near common music. it contains several elements that i would never have dreamed of hearing in a hiphop tune - this cd is the soundtrack to the inner light that rates the mind higher than the matter, as the albumname says appropriately. a few tracks have slow, laid back rhythms, the lyrics possess savvy and critical messages, some tracks are drum-n-bass instrumentals mixed with zion's soft voice that makes you feel well in your own shoes, it is amazing. most of the choruses are catching and tell you alot about their way of thinking and massge the brain. +++ the features on this record are partly lyrical masters like the cali agents or 427, one track that has a beat from beyond is "silly puddy" which features the grouch from the huge movement "living legends" who bring fresh air into the brains of undergroundheads! i am definetely amazed of this release and whoever listened to this cd, bewtween ages 17 and 56 concidered it as an immaculate milestone in the culture of hiphop and sophisticated mic profession, even if they were prejudiced against the hiphop genre or never even wanted to hear such ish... i have now been listening to it for about 2 years and i will be able to listen to it after the next 5 will have passed. if you want a reform in your cd-crib, if you want a new type of sound that is amazing, then cop this cd and you will not regret it! every single track has its own idiosyncrasy with so many beatiful and smashing instruments, even indian beats have been mastered by the amp live studios.... anyone who gets hold of this cd, will appreciate the sound - that's all there is to it!

you can also purchase this record as instrumental version on vinyl

best cuts: actually none, all these quality tracks as a combination form this sphere that can roll eternally, because it is universally equipped...

wishing peace & hapiness to all of you!

At first this guy sounded pretty weak, with a funny sounding voice, interesting lyrics from what I could comprehend the first few times I listened to it.. But then I started to like the track Mysterious Wayz and a couple others, so I listened more, and it just seems to get better and better and BETTER. Now I know practically every song on the album is a hit, and the beats are unbelievably head-bobbable. But behind the background-music capability of the album, when you listen to the lyrics this guy drops mad knowledge. He isn't afraid of nonconformity, and isn't a hip-hop head trying to go mainstream. If it isn't obvious, listen to #13, "Fools Gold" in which he samples shorts from a lot of easily recognizable mainstream music which praise money. Tight scratching skills included in that one. Get this CD!!!

Plain and simple, this is good hip hop. Though it comes from the west coast, defining as such is to miss the point.

With appearances from Planet Asia, Rasco, the grouch, and VinRoc, Zion I have given us a release which provides a blueprint for how we should live our lives.

Most of the songs have straight up hip hop beats, but a few veer into rhyming over jungle / drum n bass territory, but don't let that scare you. There are only 3 drum n bass tracks, and these are some of the better tracks, and in my opinion much better than the work of most jungle MCs (MC Conrad on LTJ Bukem's releases comes to mind).

Favorite tracks: Revolution (B-Boy Anthem), Critical, Trippin, Inner Light

If you like good hip hop don't miss out on this one.

This creative project is lyrically rich, musically diverse and socially conscious. Lyrics complex but comprehendable. This is definately a timeless project that will last test of time. Hopefully, the reality of the lyrics won't be long lasting but Zion I's reflection is quite vivid and clear. They are taking RAP to another level and I definately will purchase more of their lyrical gifts, True & Livin is my next but Street Legends is their most recent (2007), eventually I will get them all. This is message music.

I have become so familiar with this album,it's like an old pillow.Always waiting to make you feel better and relieve tension.Ok maybe not but it's dope nonetheless.Some people are complaing about his voice,I like it,that's who he is.Would you rather him sound like everyone else?I would'nt.I've never heard anyone complain about em's voice and I think his is pretty annoying.There's a diversity in the production you don't get many other place,most notably the drum and bass/jungle influence on songs like "Elevation" and "Inner Light".If that does'nt get you just check out "Silly Puddy" and " Trippin" and you should start to understand.Then buy it,then go see them live.You'll look cooler in the eyes of your peers.

Echoing the reviews of others here... respects due for an absolutely superb album, one of my favourites of all time... deep spiritual lyrics about where to focus one's energies and Zion I is right on the mark. Concious hip hop that just goes on and on with the flava's... I cannot switch it off and it never ceases to be relevant to my daily missions... Production is phat, love the breaks, stripped down but not too sparse, just a different sound to the mainstream out there in every regard. 5 stars and extremely highly recommended by myself. Big up all Zion I massive!