Customer Reviews

Solesides Greatest Bumps

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a truly phenomenal album. Mainstream rap artists claiming to be hip-hop give people the wrong impression of what hip-hop really is, in my opinion. Hip-hop is about lyricism and turntablism, and constantly pushing the boundaries of both. This album does exactly that--the Gift of Gab, Blackalicious, and Latryx demonstrate amazing vocal skills with truly intelligent lyrics. DJ Shadow builds beats from the ground up, climbing towards the limits of intricacy. Hip-hop is about respect. If you can respect and appreciate true hip-hop talent, then this album will never disappoint you. Keep supporting the real hip-hop revolution.

Some people seem to think that there are some new songs on this double CD. There are, but only a very few. This is an anthology of the Solesides/Quannum life cycle, but by no means their "Best of". If I didn't have any of their other albums then I'd have given them a solid 5 stars, because it is a very good album. But if you already have all their other albums, the best "bumps" on this are to be found on the other albums or singles. Those songs "unique" to this double LP were some of their earliest demos or earliest singles in their career, and while interesting to listen to, are hardly anything compared to their current releases. Because of this, the songs that I was interested in hearing the most, the earliest pieces, are a little disappointing. Not to take away from a great album, but if you have all of their stuff already, you'll be playing their other albums more than this one. For those interested in the group, this is simly an interesting hear to watch their styles develop. Any poor quality tracks are because they were some of their earliest conceptions. If you don't have much of their stuff, and you love independent, experimental hip hop, this is a strong contender to listen to.

Wow. I cannot stop listening to this album (or at least the first disc). I'll take it through step by step here :) It starts on a bit of a misstep with "Rhyme Like A Nut!" and "Entropy Part 1" but these deserve to be on there as they are formal introductions to Gab and Shadow. Not on par with their songs to come, but still good. After that, it's classic track after classic track. "The Wreckoning" is simply amazing and one of my favorite hip hop tracks EVER. It's arguably even better than the "Live 45 Mix" version as Lateef rhymes for longer, and the minimalist Shadow beat means you don't miss a word. Gab kicks off "Deep In The Jungle" with what is definitely one of his greatest verses. "Send Them" has one of the funkiest dance hall beats I've ever heard, and the song is from '93! And as for anyone who hasn't heard the classic "Lady Don't Tek No", just find a way of listening to it. Beyond words.
As for the second disc the quality drops just a tad. It is mainly freestyle raps (still tight, especially Lateef's) and cuts from Latyrx's "The Album". Of course, if you don't have the album you won't notice and you'll probably love it. Unfortunately "Fully Charged on Planet X" is pretty mediocre, and "Hot Breath" is just plain bad. Even at under 2:00 it should have been left off the album. If I was compiling the album I would have taken out some of these weaker offerings and just put the remaining tracks from the Melodica EP on here ("Attica Black" and "40 Oz For Breakfast" are noticeably missing)
The only reason not to own this would be if you already have the Melodica EP and The Album. Even then, you're missing out on some classic tracks you can't get anywhere else. The liner notes are even great, as they list all of SoleSides' releases, and a look into the history of the SoleSides crew. Definitely get this one.

If you're anything like me, this CD is a MUST have. By the time I discovered the dopeness that is now known as Quannum, a lot of their earlier work was just impossible to find. So SOLESIDES GREATEST BUMPS give me an opportunity to check out tracks that I never would have been able to hear otherwise.

The one thing I learned from hearing this: these guys did not just become good with ENDTRODUCING and A2G. They've been awesome pretty much from the beginning. Gift of Gab and Lyrics Born are two of my favorite emcees period and hearing their earlier rhymes is just a lot of fun for me. Unfortunately, because I hold thowse two in such high esteem, Lateef often gets thrust into the mantle of "that third rapper" but it would be wrong for anyone to say that he isn't dope in his own right.

The beats are just SICK. That's another thing I love about this collection. DJ Shadow and Chief Xcel are just downright incredible behind the boards and on the 1s and 2s. This also shows that DJ Shadow IS a hip hop producer and not just some trip hop guy.

Ok, enough with my gushing. Just in case you don't get it, I really like this stuff.

With all of the big money spending, pimping, and killing in hip hop today the Solesides crew brings us back to what hip hop is all about... emceeing and deejaying. As an amateur emcee myself I can say that artists like Gift of Gab and Blackalicious are etremely talented, and there is no doubt in my mind that DJ Serious is among the top producers ever to grace a turntable with his presence. All in all, a great album and one which any fan of real hip hop should pick up without thinking twice. Thanks for reading.

This is where the new era of underground hip-hop started 7 years ago. This is where DJ Shadow, Latyrx, and Blackalicious started changing the face of indy hip-hop. There is some amazing stuff on this compliation that can't really be found anywhere else. Any person claiming to be a true hip-hop fan should have this album in their collection

not only is this a great collection of re- and unreleased beats and rhymes, it actually works as a cohesive album -- indeed one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2K. after all the anticipation and praise of mos def, dialated, common, J5, kwali and hi-tek, and the latest pharcyde, this is, even more so, the REAL hip-hop that's been missing for so long... the flows are fresh, comical, and dramaticly accented by shadow's superb work on the wheels of steel. blackalicious and latryx show they are the kings of innovative, "machine-gun" lyrics that people ridiculously attribute to eminem. don't pass this album up; let's stop adding to jay-z's cash, putting ice on cash money's wrists, and start supporting true rap and hip-hop.

Without a doubt two funktastic CD's of rarer tracks by all the right players, from Shadow on the beats to the rhymin' styles of Gift Of Gab, Lateef The Ill Truth Speaker, Lyrics Born, and others just as crazy. Each track continues to pound you with intensity and amaze you with simplistic complexity. It will take you on the perfect melodic journey that only the best hip hop can achieve. This stuff is REAL, and damn is it GOOD.

If you want DJ Shadow beats, they're here, but don't expect Endtroducing. . .style songs - these are all from the early-mid 90's, when he was rolling with the Soleside Crew, including Blackalicous and Lateef. It's rapping so fast and on you won't believe your ears. Smooth and polished lyrics with that underground, indy-sounding production - unbeatable combo.

For the price, you're getting ten times your money's worth. Buy it, check it, LOVE IT.

This is such a great listen especially for being 2 discs long. Whether you grab one or the other you'll be receiving a funky, smooth, and dope listen with tight lyrics and chill production. Quality material-recommended for all to check out. Peace!

If you like funk, hip-hop, and good dance music, this is the album for you. Good stuff.