Customer Reviews

Retroactive

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

 

 

This is simply a solid album from beginning to end. Grand Puba doesn't disappoint with his latest Retroactive. Guest appearances of Lord Jamar, Q-tip, and large professor help Grand Puba to make this release even more dope. Right from the beginning of the album, Grand Puba is kicking knowledge and continues to convey thought provoking dope lyrics for the whole album. I didn't really care for the song THIS JOINT RIGHT HERE. I didn't like kid capri yelling over the track and the song doesn't seem to fit the flow of the album. Overall knowledge, lyrics, guest appearances, and dope beats make this a highly recommended album.

I always loved Grand Puba and consider him in the top five all time MC'S. My favorite is cut (1)I see dead people- "My melanin underneath my skin lets me no I was here when the earth begin" "You stole my history and now its a mystery" always politically aware Puba comes back at us with a post "black President" commentary that is much needed and appreciated. Lord Jamar mentions some of those lost in the struggle. Rell's vocals compliment the track perfectly. "I do it for my ancestors" says it all for Puba. (9)Go Hard- is another favorite a blend of R&B and Hip Hop, nice beat Talee & Puba nice combo. (10)Reality check- is the ultimate in poetry so heavy (the spoken word)in its finest hour. Too deep.

(11) Cold Cold World- is somewhat of an autobiography of Grand Puba. Introspective and a song that has to be listened to carefully. (13) This joint right here remix- is an old school hip hop song that would probably bang in the clubs (Kid Capri) (Lord Jamar) (Sadat X). Qtip's colab and large Professor's appearence showed old school loyalty on tracks (6) & (7) but they didn't really do it for me "Not like a game of baseball". Puba's work hasn't always been "radio friendly" but it has been "struggle friendly" Which is what really counts.

Finally, I don't have buyers-remorse for purchasing a rap cd!!! This album is hot from beginning to end! This is definitely Puba's best and one of the best rap cds of 2009! As mentioned in the other review, the Kid Capri yelling on the one joint could be scratched, but it's just enough not to lower my rating. Man, it's nice to hear a real emcee! Most of these new cats nowadays are straight garbage! I'll take most of the old emcees over these new cats any day of the week!

Crisp beats bring a fresh aura to this album. Puba's positive vibe and somewhat philosophical tone is a fantastic alternative to today's mainstream rap.

Brand Nubian's legendary Grand Puba returned with his fourth solo album and first in eight years with 2009's "RetroActive." Although it's been a while since we've heard from Puba, he sounds just as old heads will remember: a sharp-flowing, Afrocentric New Rochelle MC with heavy political and social consciousness, some reggae tendencies, and a knack for keeping an upbeat party vibe. Puba adjusts nicely to the changing times by maintaining his unique East Coast style over a slightly more contemporary sound--the title was definitely well chosen. He's got some heavy lyricism concerning the current political atmosphere and the needs of the black community in 2009, but true to his formula ensures that there's some fun to go with it. Puba enlists the collaboration of a few of his legendary contemporaries, including Q-Tip, Large Professor, Kid Capri, and his fellow Brand Nubians Sadat X and Lord Jamar. Production is generally good, with lots of horns and a clean polish. At 45 minutes in running time, the quality suffers a bit in the middle with a handful of weak tracks that might warrant hitting the skip button a few times. Still, "RetroActive" is a mostly enjoyable return for Puba, and it's nice to see him still on his game.

The album opens with perhaps the best track, the inspired "I See Dead People." Over a well-arranged track with light guitars and horns, Puba and Lord Jamar rap about the dire circumstances in today's urban environment. Crooner Rell delivers a solid performance here as well, and the veteran MCs sound great, flashing an impressive wisdom even as they explore what is for them familiar subject matter ("I know we got a black man in the white house, but there's still black fams with the lights out"). The upbeat "Hunny" will bring to mind highlights from Reel to Reel although the beat is completely fresh. On the gloomy "How Long," Puba rocks the Autotune to surprising success, and he explores social ills in a clever fashion. Q-Tip guests on the strong "Good to Go," and Large Professor shows up for the short "Same Old Drama," which is enough to make any New York rap fan reminisce over the mid-90s. Kid Capri plays hypeman on the party jam "This Joint Right Here," and the remix which closes the tracklist also has verses from Jamar and Sadat X. The poignant "Cold World" is also excellent.

As far as flaws, "It Is What It Is" and "Get That Money" are stale and could have been left off. Sarah Martinez's solo track "Reality Track" is okay but perhaps misplaced, and Big Phil's "Smile" outro is unnecessary.

"RetroActive" isn't an amazing album by any means, but it's certainly nice to hear from Puba again, and his old fans should definitely enjoy it. In my opinion "RetroActive" blows Sadat X's last few solo albums out of the water. Hopefully we won't have to wait another eight years to hear from Puba again, but in the meantime check out "RetroActive."