Vol. 1-S.I.O.S.O.S. [Import]

Spooks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: PID
• ASIN: B00004ZBMS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #234,595 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Other Script

2. The Mission

3. Things I've Seen

4. They Don't Know

5. I Got U

6. Flesh Not Bone

7. Sweet Revenge

8. Deep Cutz

9. Karma Hotel

10. Safe House/Calling You

11. Something Fresh/Mama Used to Say

12. Swindley's Maracas

13. Bitch Blood

14. Murder

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

These days, America's hip-hop purists long for a respite from the synth-based thug-rap currently enjoying airwave domination. Listeners who appreciate a less abrasive form of the music will find some salvation in S.I.O.S.O.S., the debut release from the four-MC, one-vocalist East Coast collective known as Spooks. S.I.O.S.O.S. is notable for its live instrumentation (with a few judiciously jazzy samples to spice up the mix), but its standout feature is Ming-Xia's soaring vocals, which add a sultry counterpoint to the flamenco styling of "The Mission" and haunting emphasis to the bhangra-tinged "Safe House." The album's weakness lies in the remaining members' uninspired rhyme skills, which fail to match their vocalist's capabilities. Inevitably, Spooks will suffer comparisons to other organic hip-hop outfits, such as the lyrically superior Fugees or the trippier Morcheeba. Alongside these groups' best efforts, Spooks' S.I.O.S.O.S. is not classic material, but, as an antidote to today's commercial rap overdose, it is a solid first effort. --Rebecca Levine

Product Description

ARTEMIS, 498261, 12 Track

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a breath of fresh air, November 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Siosos 1 (Audio CD)

I saw this group open for Common and Jill Scott last week and I loved them so much I bought the CD at the show. I could say that they sound as good on CD as they do on stage, but the recording seemed to lack the energy of the stage show. The CD is pretty good nonetheless. It's different from the other stuff that's out there (If I had to describe their sound, I would say it's a lot like the Fugees meets Portishead with a little of the Roots thrown in), and the fact is, there are some amazing songs here, like "Sweet Revenge" (the best song on the CD by far) and "Things I've Seen". Some haters might dismiss them as Fugees wannabes (great singer, mediocre MC's) but the truth is they are a lot more interesting than that.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, July 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Siosos 1 (Audio CD)

After the onslaught of Gansta Rap in the early to mid ninties, rap has had very little direction. The current title holders, DMX and Jay Z, certainly can sample an upbeat track and lay out enjoyable tune. It's rare, though, that a true lyricist will come out of the scene, and speak of more than "spending cheese," and listing off girls he's slept with. Mos Def and Outkast come to mind as the most insightful, intelligent and talented rappers on any label, and I'm happy to say that Spooks follow along in their tradition. The obvious standout track on this LP is the haunting "Things I've Seen," a song that, unlike most multi-rapper collaborations (Nelly's Country Grammer, to name one) follows along a single thought line and tells a cohesive story. Aside from a little self referential name dropping and egoism that plagues rape (track 2 starts out with them professing to go triple platinum based on their name alone), this is a quality record. I urge all of you to put down the Juvenile and Master P CDs and pick up an artist who deserves to be heard.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Spooks Are Definitely On Some Other Stuff, February 22, 2001

By 

"tmcopeland1" (B-More. MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Siosos 1 (Audio CD)

Spooks are not bad at all-if you like futuristic acid hip hop. Their music reminds me of Digable Planets or yes, Fugees. When I first heard "Sweet Revenge" on the radio, ("Tried to use me, apparently don't know who I be.") I knew I had to purchase this cd. Ming Xia brings a mixture of Jazz, R&B, & Soul to the group. I really think by 2002, Ming Xia will have an album of her own. I am without a doubt feeling her soulistic style. Spooks as an overall group bring a new age/futuristic feel to hip hop. The cd is good, if you can appreciate a different style.

Soul Searching 4 Life,

SoulCatcher