Customer Reviews

Swat Healin Ritual

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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!!!!!

Not sure how many people remember this guy, but EJ The Witchdoctor was one of those artists that hung around many other popular Duengon Family based artists (mostly Goodie Mob and Outkast). He would appear at various parts on their albums. I think the earliest he appeared was on Outkast's "Ova Da Woods" on their ATLiens. He did the hook to that song.

Comming out with his debut album "A S.W.A.T. Healin' Ritual" he was considered to sort of be "that weird" guy from the ATL (as far as I knew). Actually around this time, the Dungeon Family was being formed, and his album was the first to be released after the group was created. He would have some tracks that would grab your attention throughout this album. Not many people remember his lead single "Holiday", but it was a good starting point for this guy. He had the lyrical skills to carry himself throughout the album, like on "Island Koneelalee". The skits were mostly good as they would go about medicine and healing process, to go along with his name like "Spells". Production is dark sounding, that easily fits the concept of this album. And I believe thats not a bad job singing on the song "Lil' Mama Gone". That song sounds preety emotional.

The problem with EJ The Witchdoctor was that when he had guests on his tracks, he would be outshined by them. For example, like the spiritual "Dez Only One" Big Boi would have the better verse in that song. The same effect would happen in "Gerogia Plains" where Cool Breeze (another ATL artist that was criminally swept under the rug) would outsine him. "4 In The Temple" featuring Big Gipp of Goodie Mob, and Phenix sounds like it was cut from a freestyle session and ended up on this album. Also another problem is that he would switch up his style to sound sort of gangsta like on various parts of this album. "The Ancient Shore" is one of those tracks I'm talking about, but it still sounds good, so I'll make that my honorable mention track.

"A S.W.A.T." is a dope album for the most part. Witchdoctor proved that he would have the lyrical skills throughout his debut. Even though he was outshined by many of the guests, he still did a good job. Unfortunately this album was slept on by the masses, which caused him to go unoticed. I believed it was bad timing, because he was overshadowed by Still Standing and Aquemini, that came out the same year. I believe this should have came out a year earlier. If you're a fan of any Duengon Family related albums, you will enjoy this here.

Lyrics: B+
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: A-
Musical Vibes: A-
Overall: B+

Favorite Tracks: Holiday, A.T.L. The Great Lick, Island Koneelalee, Hurtin', Dez Only 1, Lil' Mama Gone

Honorable Mention: The Ancient Shore, Smooth Sh..

Peace!

Dungeon Family are pioneers in invoted hip hop. This is a great disc if you love outkast or goodie mob, your brain takes control of this album. BUy now

EJ Da Witchdoctor spits pure fire over this LP, he never misses a beat. Lyrically he's on another level, showing he belongs among the elite Dungeon Family. This album is a must have for all, Dez Only 1!!!

i dont know what he is smokin on, but im tellin u, this debut is one of the best cd's to come out the south since outkast and goodie mob. That other reviewer is right, everyone is sleepin!!!!! This has good song after good song. The whole feel of the album is just tight. And the end song he sings about his mother that passed away puts a good ending to a great 5 star album!!!! BUY THIS!!!

DOCTOR IS VERY FRESH. HE DEALS WITH THE SPIRIT REALM. BESIDES HIS FOUNDATION IN WESTERN IDEOLOGY HE DOES WELL TO EXPLOIT SOME OTHER ASPECTS OF SPIRITUALITY. COOL DOWN-SOUTH DELIVERY.

Wow, thats what I had to say after i heard this cd. Witchdoctor is on the dungeon family, but he is pretty underground. this cd is real good. The beats are just flawless, the rapping is superb, and his voice reminds me of Zion I.. The last song is sad where he sings about his mom. Classic album!! Buy this! Support this guy, he is VERYYYY TIGHT!!!! I hope he makes another album because this cd is flawless!!

Witchdoctor cd is just another hit to the dungeon family wall. This cd has the lyrics and the beats to make any No Limit song look like a School House Rock song. Witchdoctor not only talks about his surroundings but he talks about his religion. Like his crew Goodie Mobb, Witchdoctor makes a cd that is made to educate and enlighten the mind, body, and soul. This joint is 4:30 man.