Swat Healin Ritual [Explicit Lyrics]

Witchdoctor | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 1998)
• Original Release Date: April 21, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B0000061Q9
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,436 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Spin

Witchdoctor definitely has his mojo working. The single "Holiday" is a wonderfully creepy exercise in cyber-g-funk, a double-time rimshot rattle over a mid-tempo groove – drum & bass-ish production by guest DJ Rob and Emperor Searcy. Elsewhere, other techno gizmos mix in with the loose jingle of handheld voodoo percussion and ambience-like twittering swamp cicadas.

URB

Southern slang over drums as crisp as Southern fried chicken smothered with thick guitar licks like country gravy. Indeed., Organized Noize continues to refine their sound with bizarre noizes and gospel crescendos.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get lost in this "Ritual", April 6, 2007

By 

ctrx ('bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks...) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Swat Healin Ritual (Audio CD)

I was first introduced to Witchdoctor (then known as EJ the Witchdoctor) with his guest appearance on Goodie Mob's "The Coming" from their classic 1995 album Soul Food, and again on OutKast's "Ova da Wudz" from ATLiens. As a fan of all things Dungeon Family, I picked up this album expecting something along the lines of a traditional DF release, with the funky southern twang and top notch production from Organized Noize. I was definitely in for a treat. Witchdoctor is maybe the most interesting rapper on DF's roster. He is obsessed with African spirituality, voodoo, and southern religion, telling many cryptic tales and using his voice to shout and sing as well as rap. The Organized Noize production crew, the men behind all of the classic DF albums, come up big with the beats, and they sound totally unlike any of their other music. The music is tailor-made for Witchdoctor's style, utilizing a mixture of African tribal sounds and soulful southern funk for a one-of-a-kind style. And while this is a totally unique album, there's no mistaking it for a Dungeon Family project, with Big Rube's spoken interludes and guest appearances from Goodie Mob and OutKast. Some songs are truly incredible, Witchdoctor pours so much emotion and spirituality into the very best that they can be really moving, especially with the great production. There are a few tracks that sort of interrupt the flow of the album and don't really relate to the album's whole theme, but the abundance of original, interesting songs make this an album that I highly recommend, and one that stacks favorably against the other great, lesser-known DF releases such as Cool Breeze's East Point's Greatest Hits and Killer Mike's Monster.

The album begins with my favorite song on the disc, the amazing "7th Floor/The Serengetti" featuring a Soul Food-era Cee-Lo. Even if you can't buy this album, I think you must hear this incredible song. The song kicks in with a slow, thumping bass heavy beat, which then gives way to horns and Witchdoctor's awesome hook ("Every day we get dooooown...on our kneeeeees..."). Both rappers deliver excellent verses making this a song to remember. "Holiday/12 Scanner" was the album's single, a musically and lyrically interesting cut with a little philosophy on it. "A.T.L. the Great Big Lick" is a decent cut but probably will fall under skip material for most, where Witchdoctor and Mook B rap about street life in Atlanta. "Island Koneelalee" is very nice, a fantastic tale about a magical place with suitable musical backing. Cool Breeze collaborates on the good "Georgia Plains (Holy Grounds)," and Witchdoctor makes the deep "Hurtin'" a highlight. Another of my favorites is "Heaven Comin'," a mournful track that shows his religious and spiritual side with an excellent performance by ONP on the beat. "4 in the Temple" features Big Gipp, T-Mo and Phoenix for a hook-less rap. "Smooth S..." would fit perfectly on "Soul Food" or "ATLiens," a contemplative, slow and musically subtle song with incredible lyricism from Witchdoctor, T-Mo and Khujo. "The Ancient Sahore" is Witchdoctor at his best, living up to his name with the theme of spells and rituals on a song that is blessed with the album's best beat and a hook that might have you yelling along with it even if you have no idea what it means. "Dez Only 1" is a joyful ode to God, featuring OutKast, and it's one of the very best songs on the disc. "The Ritual" is a little too odd to be very enjoyable. The last song is "Lil' Mama's Gone," a depressing black spiritual about the loss of a mother.

This album is criminally slept on, and while it's hard for me to believe that it's been a full nine years since its release, it saddens me to see that it's out of print. This is so original and interesting. While it's still pretty widely available, I recommend that all Dungeon Family fans pick it up, it's one of the many excellent albums from the South's premier hip hop collective, but truly among the very best.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Healin', May 25, 2005

By 

Carltouis Stevenson (Angeles Mesa, Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swat Healin Ritual (Audio CD)

Dungeon Family member finally steps out on his debut A S.W.A.T Healin' Ritual as a slept on classic. Production was held down by none other than Organized Noize, two from ROB & Emperor Searcy and one from Mr. DJ to create an album that literally fits the name Witchdoctor with spooky, southern, ancient beats. "Holiday/12 Scanner" was the only single and video from Witchdoctor that professes the art of hustling and getting paid. He represents his hometown well with Mook B. on "A.T.L. The Great Big Lick". The exotic "Island Koneelalee" about beautiful women is a good song without the disrespect. Witchdoctor team up with Cool Breeze with the riding bass on "Georgia Plains (Holy Grounds)". Big Rube spoke wisdom on "Remedy". "...him comin', him comin'...", as said on "Heaven Comin'" as he stresses his belief in a higher power. Another highlight "4 In The Temple" features Big Gipp, T-Mo & Phoenix. He even shows his skills on the guitar strung "Lil' Mama's Gone" as he sings on the last track. If you like OutKast or Goodie Mob this is a mixture of both conscienceness and originality. "Spells" have been casted the moment you press play!

5.0 out of 5 stars Witchdoctor, September 9, 2009

By 

FleetwoodMartell "HHHJ" (Orlando FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swat Healin Ritual (Audio CD)

Everyday is a Holiday...this CD has some hot tracks,alot of that true ATL Swagg.Some of the lyrics are kind of Buck Rogers,& that doesn't mean there bad but this is 1 of those CD's you really have to listen to...bottom line though,I LOVE IT!!!!!