Stereo: Evolution of Hiprocksoul [Enhanced, Extra tracks]

4th Avenue Jones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 29, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Extra tracks
• Label: Gotee Records
• ASIN: B0007VF246
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,560 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Jenny Intro

2. Stereo

3. Fabulous Dramatics

4. Unhappy Birthday

5. Overloaded

6. Take Me Away

7. Sorry

8. Monumental Continental

9. Who's Watching Me?

10. Caeser

11. Why

12. Rush

13. It's Over Now [*]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Ahmad Jones, leader of this South Central Los Angeles-based six piece with vaguely Christian origins, isn't lacking for talent. He sings, he produces, and he emcees, all with a bright shiny confidence that led Interscope to come calling in 2002. If there is a danger zone for this act, though—as evidenced by the pretty good Stereo—it's Jones's fearlessness, which borders on recklessness. Taken aside by an old-school uncle in the business, Jones might get an earful about his compulsive genre-twisting: while it's cool, especially on tracks like "Why," in which he draws in each player gradually over a hip-hop 101 beat, it can't always be so indiscriminate. For example, Tena Jones' gorgeous, gospel-tinged vocal on "Who's Watching Me" would have stood stronger without being crashed by Timmy Shakes' Def Leppard-ish guitar, and the feel-good "Stereo" might have worked better as a straight-ahead rock number, no rap required. Sometimes, the brew bubbles just right: "Take Me Away," incorporating all the requisite HipRockSoul elements, does just that, and beautifully. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hiprocksoul?, April 10, 2005

By 

RealCoolGuy (Oviedo, Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stereo: Evolution of Hiprocksoul (Audio CD)

Ahmad has definitely changed since "Back In The Day" (see his 1994 debut Ahmad). On this album, he evolves a step further, taking his pioneering Hiprocksoul style to a new level. If you thought Mos Def's The New Danger went too far... you ain't heard nothing yet.

Being one of only two notable Hiphop bands (the other being The Roots), 4th Avenue Jones' kind of left the "Hiphop" behind and focused more on the "band" for this release. Now signed to dc Talk's Gotee Records, Ahmad decided to go a different route. The first thing I noticed other than the obvious sound difference when compared to their previous releases, is the absence of 4th Ave. rapper Senaj the Backwordz, or Jabu, as he was also known... no explanation was given... my guess is he may not have like the whole "rock" theme and opted out... who knows.

Anyway, if you are looking for a Hiphop album and Ahmad's lyrical and original rhyme style, you may want to skip this one. There is a definitive "rock" feel to it and Ahmad does more singing than rapping, especially on the first half of the album. This is very disappointing, considering he is one of the premiere lyricists from the Westcoast. When he does rap, you can hear his trademark, even through the hard guitar riffs that shroud almost every chorus.

What this album is missing in lyricism, it does make up for in originality and melody. Ahmad is an excellent songwriter and his band is great. Although I am not a big fan of screaming guitars, every track is original, musically interesting, and... well, catchy. The single "Stereo", although it is only just barely over 2 minutes long is the introduction of the new 4th Avenue Jones' and sets the pace for the rest of the album. Other highlights include "Overloaded", "I'm Sorry", and for those who would rather hear Ahmad's lyrical side, check out "Take Me Away", "Monumental Continental" featuring their new labelmates Grits, and the bonus track, probably the only record on the album that is not blatanty 'rock'-themed, "It's Over Now".

Hopefully, for the Jones' Hiphop fans, it's not 'over now'; I would love to hear some music more reminiscent to 1999's raw and original Hiphop release No Plan B. And, please bring back Jabu.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!!, November 23, 2005

By 

Valerie A. Miller "Hip-hop buff" (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stereo: Evolution of Hiprocksoul (Audio CD)

I am always looking for new, experimental hip-hop and this is it. This is so entirely different than most of the stuff that you hear. The review above says that mixing the genres makes it weaker, not true. It only makes it that must better!! If you don't believe me, get on their website and listen.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Sound, December 10, 2006

By 

N. Richardson (Greenville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stereo: Evolution of Hiprocksoul (Audio CD)

This album is pretty great. The lyrics are really genuine and clever even on tracks like "Fabulous Dramatics" and "Rush". Lots of Timmy Shakes guitar riffs and chord patterns, adding the rock to hiprocksoul. Ahmad sings? on "Overloaded" and a couple of other tracks which may not be his strong area. Love Tena Jones. There is a bit of chemistry between her and Ahmad as on most tracks she follows up behind him with verse in response to whatever he rhymed first. Listen to "Ceasar". The interludes will either entertain you or annoy you. Other than that I'd buy it. Of course I already have and it's been well over a year and I still listen to it quite often. If you are looking for something fresh and experimental, this is a good one.