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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Try not to sleep on this one..., June 20, 2005
Unfortunately this is the type of album that will fly under most people's radar. But if you do happen to come across it, be sure to give it a listen.Zion I is another great sound coming out of the Bay Area underground scene. This album easily falls into the rap sub-genre of "conscious/backpack hip-hop" but the beats are still catchy enough to grab the attention of the listener who is not that completely family with the sound coming from rap's underground movement. The lyrics are thoughtful and expressive, but Zion I is not pushy about their message. While a group like Dead Prez call for revolution through over-throwing the current system with sometimes-flawed arguments, Zion I's message is a little more subtle. They seem to call for a positive change within yourself first before you can impose the change on others. In this sense, their message is somewhat similar to K-os. They are very much aware of the problems of society but are not brash enough to claim they know how to fix it themselves, the songs "LUV" and "Poems 4 Post Modern Decay" are the best examples of this. The beats are an interesting mix of scratching and live intruments, resulting in a very expressive texture of sounds. Some of the instruments used are outright surprising, most notably a fiddle (I think) in "So Tall." A wide range of musical influences are apparent: from classic west-coast ("The Bay"), Jazz ("Doin' My Thang"), and the blues ("Oh Lawd Blues"). Finally, guest appearances by Talib Kweli (hopefully making up for the dissappointing "Beautiful Struggle"), Del, Gift of Gab, and Aesop Rock are very effective as they fit well within the framework of Zion I's sound. Again, this album will most likely under most people's radar of mainstream hip-hop. Hopefully, it will somehow find its way to the ears of fans of creative and insightful hip-hop.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conscious Hip-Hop From The Soul (4.5 Stars), February 9, 2006
Although this is the first album I've heard from Zion I; the Oakland based hip-hop crew's 3rd release is a quality one. Their style is laced with jazzy hooks, soft acoustic melodies, elegant string arrangements, and some straight up head nodding beats. Of course, none of that would amount to anything if the emcee (Zion) didn't match the production (Amp Live). It's very apparent that these two have been working together for quite some time. The music comes out naturally and fluidly. Zion brings it full circle with his soulful and heartfelt lyrics and flow. They have achieved a rich, comfortable sound that nearly anyone could get down to.
Nearly every track has something to offer. Their style is reminiscent of Outkast, Blackalicious, and One Be Lo, which is laced heavily with elements of jazz. They do a fine job of making the album their own in an industry full of similar sounding albums. You get the occasional off-kilter beat on cuts like "Soo Tall" or the abstract "Poems 4 Post Modern Decay" featuring Aesop Rock. My favorites have got to be the slower more soulful joints, such as "Bird's Eye View". On the other hand, head nodders like "The Bay" are equally intriguing. The collaborations with Talib Kweli ("Temperature") and Gift of Gab of Blackalicious ("Stranger In My Home") are also quality cuts.
Honestly, I bought this album because of the aforementioned collaborations; but I really got so much more. The comfort of some of my favorite underground emcees endorsing the album turns out to be a strong point, because "they" aren't in the spotlight. They simply make the album stronger when it's formula starts to tire. The sequencing and track order also makes it a more comfortable listen. It's not the greatest album ever, but it's definitely one that I'd put above most underground hip-hop I hear.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW, May 16, 2005
This is already one of my favorite all-time hip hop albums and i just got it yesterday. Zion has reached an amazing lyrical level that most dream of and Amp Live, well, listen to Bird's Eye View and you'll know. Zion i has truly stepped up their level and raised the bar for underground cats to keep up with. I haven't found a weak part on this album, i truly have been searching for a bad thing about this and i can't do it. The song where Aesop Rock spits on is the best I've ever heard him, they got Kweli on an EPIC song, and if they ever come to a town near you CHECK THEM OUT, amazing energy. Zion i is what hip hop should be, done with the love for the art without forgetting where it and they came from, and building a positive future for it with CRACKIN BEATS and AMAZING LYRICS. PEACE
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by Zion I 
