Customer Reviews

Spectrum

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For the average hip hop listener, this will seem more experimental, but for those that are far into the experimental hip hop arena, this will seem to disappoint. While there are definitely a few tracks that are no less than gems on this album, much of what the original Solesides (prior to Quannum) group has achieved is hardly touched on this album. What will be found on this album are highlights by those stronger Quannum artists (Lyrics Born, Lateef, Blackalicious) followed my more mainstream, albeit mediocre, artists with freestyles that are interesting but nowhere near the original style or concept that Quannum had sought to create or that we have come to expect. The sudden influx of new artists to the Quannum label, to me, seems to taint their original image, as some of the new blood just isn't up to par with the original group members.

Furthermore, while this album serves as a nod to Quannum's original beginnings, the skits with Mack B Dog presenting the album as a late night radio show only cheapen what could have been a really solid album that spoke for itself. Instead of creating a strong, simple, yet elegant album, the production was chosen to follow the mainstream production of its time and put a myriad of little excerpts in between songs.

A strong lineup of cameos is done on this album, sadly, as a non-J5 listener, I would have to say that on tracks like this, Quannum picks up the least becoming characteristic of J5, which is simply to make up simplistic rhymes and recite them all in chorus, which pervades almost every one of their songs. However, tracks like "The Storm" amd "I Change My Mind" fight to make this album hard not to purchase. The lyrical tapestry and vivid metaphors by Lyrics Born will be difficult to match by few in such a style that only LB can seem to conceive.

While not one of my most favorite picks of its year in production, it is a strong contender, and in all fairness for pro-independent release lovers, this is a must to pick up.

My reactions to this album ranged from 'the tightest track I've ever heard,' to 'HUH? ' Of course this is "experimental" hip-hop though, so you gotta give it some slack. The 3 stars are only because Quannum can do much better than this. See, for example, Latyrx (comprised of Lateef and Lyrics Born), and Blackalicious (both the new one, Nia and the old one, Melodica). Getting back to Spectrum though, TRACK 3 IS SOOOOO DOPE! That's my anthem, yo. I have seen all members of Quannum live, so trust me when I say this - Spectrum could be much better, but some of these individual tracks are near to perfection.

I love this joint, it reminds me of what it's like to see these kids live. To those that feel it isn't Shadow at his best, it's because this album wasn't meant to be. This album is about hiphop not glowsticks. El-P and Latyrx rock the house together and probably the dopest, pump your fist, and suckers catch beat downs song would have to be Bombonyall. That joint is straight ill'in. If you buy one album buy this one, every song is worth it, even the ones that aren't considered hiphop. Quannum is always pushing hiphop forward and this is a true testemant of their abilities to do so.

First of all.. a reply to the first review on this compilation. This wasn't even a 'DJ Shadow project.' It was a 'Quannum Projects project' consisting of every artist under the label featuring special guests.

I'll get to the point. This album is just dope. Hip Hop at its finest. I'd say all but two tracks are masterpieces.

The joint with Jurassic 5 is real good, and so is the collaboration with Souls Of Mischief. Lyrics Born goes soul on Track 8, "I Changed My Mind." I love that song. To cut to the chase, this album is recommended to anyone who appreciates any previously released material from Quannum or even Solesides.

This album was just wonderful. Other reviewers complain about how there's not enough DJ Shadow, or the skits with Mack B. Dog on the radio just lessen the greatness of the album, but they're wrong. This masterful collective of illustrious artists hits right on, dead center- it's just damn good music.
The album opens up with a kick-ass track, "Concentration," featuring the Quannum MC's and Jurassic 5 MC's, and what an opener! It gets the listener hooked right away. I was so impressed with the all-MC chorus. It displayed a comfortable musical cohesion that was so natural and exquisite, and upon first hearing it, I said to myself- "yeeaaaahhhh." It is a powerful track that shows their unity and talent as artists, with a diverse offering of MC's that make the track just good fun. Track 3, "Storm Warning," is just sublime. Latyrx just rips verse after verse between Lyrics Born and Lateef, which makes the track exciting and literally intense. DJ Shadow is so creative that he samples the telephone disconnection tone. The "mic break" skits in between just relax the listener and bring them a sense of reality, and I do believe that this album is VERY real, very excellent. Track 7, "People Like Me," featuring Joyo Velarde, is hands down the ULTIMATE chill-out song. She is a beautiful operatic songstress put in the environment of hip-hop greats. Track 8, Lyrics Born's "I Changed My Mind," is raunchy, catchy, and very listenable. It is a definite 5-star song and is just amazing good production.
I would say the climax of this album is VERY early on, at "Storm Warning" (Track 3), but afterward, it's not even very anti-climatic, the album still retains itself and gives the listener a very full-bodied and exquisite experience. I am brutally honest when I say this: it is one of the best albums that the Quannum crew has released. Check this out immediately.

i agree with the other reviewers here who say that Randy Silver has zero clues when it comes to this CD. the production is quality from begining to end and a showcase of what this crew has been involved in for the last 10 years. if you're looking at buying because you want another "entroducing" - don't bother. even the instrumental version of this release won't satisfy you as the emphasis here is on lyrical flows rather than variation in the backing beats.

Quannum comes at you with everything and the kitchen sink on this CD. When your done listening to it you'll feel like you got hit with a hurricane of creativity courtesy of DJ shadow, J5, Blackalicious, Dilated and lots more. If your at all into "underground" Hip Hop those names should mean a lot to you. Lots of funk and cutting edge stuff on this CD. If you own a CD on no limit and have ever thought "gee that beat is pretty cool" or "wow silk is really laying down the words on this track" don't buy this record because you will end up in the hospital with a creative overdose.

Being from Sacramento I can appreciate the creativity that flows through the brain of underground artist, and as far as Randy Silver's review...complete bs. Only a person who bumps mainstream garbage in their benz would not be able to appreciate this cd.

Let me explain this to the unconverted, because there may be one or two. DJ Shadow has gotten behind Blackalicous, Lateef the Truth Seeker, and many other undergroung San Fransico soul/hip hop musicans and formed Quannum. Quannum is not so much a band as a heading for all these people to work under.

Remember how Crosby Stills and Nash, Jefforson Airplane, Hot Tuna and the Greatful Dead cross-pollinated in the 1960s; now pretend they gave this a name-- this is what goes on with Qunnam.

This CD brilliantly threads the hip hop together in the guise of an all night radio show. But this is not your teenagers hip hop. It is infused with funk and soul, great lead and backing vocals, 1970s style percussion, and all those big arrangements that encompass classic funk and funk jazz.

Anyone into any related genre should be able to dig on this wonderful album. It is like a modern progressive radio show, and the music is great.

You should know right away that the "pro" review of this album is going to be wrong, when the reviewer doesnt even get the artists right. Follow the 'maroons' link. different Maroons...on Spectrum the 'Maroons' are Lateef and the Chief, not whoever that other band is..alls i can say is hopefully QUANNUM is the future of hip hop...