Customer Reviews

Necks Move

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

 

 

This is by far one of the best pick-ups I have made this year. The lyrics are impressive due to their grittiness and range of topics. The beats are amazing. However, the word "beats" does not capture the true range of auditory sensations you will experience while listening to this CD. To get full enjoyment listen to this on some nice headphones or well balanced stereo system. I had the opportunity to sit down and listen to the entire CD in one sitting my first time hearing it and it was well worth it. I had some Shure E5C ear monitors that exploded with sound. To say the least, I was blown away. One minor downside is that at times the lyrics can get hidden behind the beats as if they are muffled or dwarfed by the complexity and intensity of the beats. I imagine that this is even more pronounced with low quality speakers or headphones. Overall, you will not be disappointed with this CD because it is fresh, diverse, and a major addition to the hip-hop scene. In a world of multiple hip-hop styles Deep Thinkers makes an substantial addition to any CD collection.

Review by: Mark Teppo at [...]
(04.24.05) There is a revolution brewing in the heartland. Out of the flatlands of Kansas come Deep Thinkers with a studio full of world music tricks and heads full of crackling raps and cutting commentary. Necks Move, a fairly clever bit of titular wordplay, is filled with sparse arrangements -- tiny shards of flamenco guitar, waves of vibraphone, shivering hiccups of vinyl scratching, echoes of mid-century be-bop jazz and loose instrumental funk. Brother of Moses handles the majority of the vocal duties, his sly delivery darting in and out of the instrumentation like an elusive fish while Lenny D handles the eclectic mix of noises, cuts, slices, manipulations and errant instrumentation.

"Sideshow," ostensibly a vinyl duel between Lenny D and Beatbroker, veers away from its quaking deck duel into a variegated realm of hop-head jazz and stuttering vocal commentary. "Rock the Beat" asks the eternal question -- "What is hip-hop?" -- and sets out to answer with a vitriolic lyric and a head-nodding thunder-beat with a round-bellied tone melody lighting the way through the dark. "Move On" slips in like we've stumbled upon a secret studio session, the music swirling around the room in an uncoalesced state, and it's the entrance of guest MC Approach that sets everything into its funky groove. A jazz pianist sets the stage on fire beneath the MCs on "Stand Strong," riding hard against the stop-start motion of the drum kit. "Kiss the Sky" melds sweeping strings with a severely damaged loop of Spanish flamenco, heavy vinyl interference and a percussion section channeling Morrocan street musicians through tin cans. "Search and Destroy" winds up the record with a tight drum 'n' bass rhythm, a furious storm of beats underneath measured rasta delivery.

For the most part, the light and funky approach to the music gives Deep Thinkers much of their depth but occasionally the front and the back of the song don't match. "Here We Are," for example, never quite comes together and Brother of Moses' intoned chorus falls flatter and flatter with each iteration and the otherwise delightful "Interruption with Substance" is scarred with the same laconic chorus delivery. The missteps are few, though, incidental burps in an otherwise smooth record. Deep Thinkers reach out from the middle of nowhere with a hip-hop sound that is global and historical in its sweep. Necks Move is an ambitious record that reaches far and pulls the world close.

Deep Thinkers comprise of Lenny D (the turntablist), and Bro' of Moses. this duo has been tearin' it up since their first album came out (more info at www.Daturarecords.com).Lenny D's conceptual perception of music is out of this world. He, like Kanye West, has developed a signature in his tracks and you just have to get the album, neck move to feel it.But this is the least of his virtuoso-like abilities since unlike Kanye (mostly soul influenced), Lenny incorporates the great jazz masters'--that have influenced him from an early age--into his works.And since we always need the cream on the cake, Brother of Moses delivers, and takes the listener to incredible lyrical highs.I could go on but i've better things to do.....so all i have to say is "GET IT!"

This is the best cd I have heard in years. I love hiphop music. I can't lie though I was getting tired (both of mainstream and indie) and then this group came along. If you love Zion I, Hiero, Quannum style you will LOVE this one. I don't want to blab too much. Just get it, you can thank me later.

The Deep Thinkers are a power duo from the gritty streets of Kansas City, Mo. and have delivered a breathe of fresh air. From their community activism to there policital awareness the Deep's leave NO stone unturned. But don't think for one second that this some internet nerd rap. This is hip-hop music in it's purest form, raw and revolutionary. From beatmarker/DJ supreme Lenny D's lush jazzy production (with that oh so important KNOCK!!!!!!!) to the sorely unrated lyrical wit of The Brother of Moses ( Think Abstract Rude meets Dead Prez) the Deep's always prove there worth. Remember that feeling you had when you first heard Blackstar or Freestyle Fellowship? Well prepare for the second coming. Who knew Kansas had this kind of ish poppin'? All I can say is buy this record!!!!!!!!!!
Deep Thinkers- Necks Move- Amazing.......... What's next Datura?