Vermilion [EXPLICIT LYRICS] [IMPORT]

Moka Only

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 15, 2007)
• Original Release Date: May 1, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics, Import
• Label: Urbnet Communications Inc.
• ASIN: B000P46MM6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #228,270 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review
To many, Moka Only is notorious as that guy on the hooks who ruined Swollen Members with the disaster that was Heavy, or something like that. But more importantly, Moka Only is hip-hop's most prolific, having released a slew of solo cassettes, CDs and vinyl both on his own and through a variety of indie and major labels. Vermilion, his latest, is the best of them. Moka returns to his roots with a greater concentration of samples and raps rather than keyboards, synths and singing. Sure, there's still feel good tracks like So Kona or Cheeka Cheeka but Vermilion contains more anger and venom than usual, like maybe Moka has experienced the ugly underbelly of the industry. For example, on I Don't Give A..., Moka opens up about compromising with Nettwerk over the schizophrenic, poppy The Desired Effect, which was released in 2005 during the recording of Vermilion. He also looks back on some of the music-based decisions he s made ( God Bless and When...? ), stakes his claims on rap stardom ( Do ) and attempts to Raise the Bar. Whether ballad, boom bap or experimental, Moka does it exceptionally well. Unfortunately, he also offers up a few short teasers of beats that really should have become songs. Still, it's good to have the filthy old Moke back. --Thomas Quinlan - Exclaim! Magazine

Product Description
Moka Only - is a dynamic artist with a career that spans over 10 years, 26 LP's and 400,000 records sold independently. He has won three Juno's, seven Much Music video awards and is a former member of the west coast group Swollen Members. At an early age Moka Only discovered his love for hip hop culture entering the scene as a graffiti artist. He later began displaying his skills as a MC rhyming at house parties and then later moving to San Diego in the early 90s where began his illustrious career as a MC/ Producer. Moka Only has since established himself as one of Canada's most well respected and hardest-working talents. He has also gained the admiration of his peers, industry professionals and fans alike. He has collaborated with the late great Jay Dilla, Aceyalone and Oh No. In the spring of 2007 Moka Only released his new album "Vermilion" on URBNET Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BURNA FO'REAL, October 13, 2007

By	Kevin Noble (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

ALL I GOT TO SAY IS, BROTHAS BETTA WATCH OUT FOR THIS KID. DUDE IS BRINGING PASSION AND SOLID LYRICISM. MAJOR PROPS TO DUDE FOR RESTORING MY LOVE FOR HIP-HOP.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vancouver's Finest? {4 Stars}, September 7, 2007

By	Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all" (Washington DC USA) - See all my reviews

I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm not too keen on rap music from other countries. I do have a love for Canadian rap that I can't even explain though. When it comes to Canadian rap, there seems to be a sound and feel to it that draws me toward it. I mean, there's some wack Canadian rap out there, but that can be said about any place that puts out music. Either way, whenever I hear of a new Canadian cat, I automatically give it a shot because, with the exception of Sweatshop Union, none of it has let me down yet. I'm not really up on the Canada scene, but I do find myself looking north for new stuff quite a bit. Moka Only's '07 release, Vermilion, continues the streak for this listener. The production, handled by Moka himself, is smooth, but not boring. The lyrics are telling, but not preachy or self absorbed. There's a fine line that he walks and he walks it well.

I have a small gripe though. The biggest problem I have with this album is that some of the best songs are also the shortest. There aren't any songs that I would call wack, but the teasers do just that. Standouts like "Cheeka Cheeka", "Do", "Taste", and "Banana Pancakes" struggle to reach the the two minute mark. Also, I found joints like "Search", "Hibiscus", and "Let Me Down" to be kind of bland. And the bonus track after "Speakers" (I'm not sure of the name) was kind of lame. I'm all for 80's rock, but he should have left that to the pros. Outside of that, the rest of the album is great.

Vermilion is one of the better rap releases of 2007. Like I already mentioned, the production is mostly smooth and the lyrics engage without dragging on and becoming boring. I don't know much about Moka Only, but I'll definitely be looking out for more material from the guy in the future. I highly recommend grabbing this album if you see it in stores.

Standout Tracks: Shoofly, Vermilion, I Could Give A..., Shake Dat Neck, Banana Pancakes, Speakers, God Bless, Do, Cheeka Cheeka (My Favorite), So Kona, Taste, and When...?

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moka is back, July 17, 2007

By	Tracey Sahr "wicket" (now in Virgina) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this man is truely a legend in this rap game if you like his older albums your going to like this one. the last album he had made on battle axe records, he was not in to that cd as much with people telling him to sing more, make more remixes, but now that he's off that lable, with this album you can tell the old Moka Only is BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!BABY!!!!!!!!