Customer Reviews

White Van Music

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

 

 

First off, I have to say that I never heard of Jake One as of 2 months ago. Yet after I did, and reviewing a little on his history and whatnot, I realized that I have heard some of his work, which I liked, so I had a slight view on what kind of producer he was.



And I must say, after putting the album in my CD tray, I wasn't able to change a track. Everyone might not be able to say the same but every track is well-crafted and it becomes fairly evident that this is a man that is extremely talented and has an ear for matching an artist to a beat. It combines the underground world - with aritsts such as Little Brother, Blueprint, as well as a few others - with that of the mainstream. Freeway & Brother Ali pair up. Busta Rhymes and Bishop Lamont. Evidence, The Alchemist & Prodigy of Mobb Deep. And other raw lyrists hit the tracks as well, like MF DOOM & Royce da 5'9". Just to name a few.

Simply put, this is a must-own for all hip hop enthusiasts. And for those that are looking to get their foot in the door, turn the radio off and get this album. With the artists that are paintin the pictures on the canvas laid out by Jake One, you will have a great sampling of artists to pursue and continue to listen and show support for years down the line.

Five stars from me.

Everybody already knows that jake is dope. This album just proves it again.With joints like "im coming" with nottz and Black milc, The gritty baseline on "trap doors" and the bangin beat and timeless verse from brother ali on "the Truth". This album is 4.5 some of the best music i've heard in a min.Hip Hop is dead... i guess its time to destroy and rebuild.

This is another great CD from the Stones Throw Gang who just seem to have a nack. Keep it up. Check out any of the artist`s albums for great tracks.

I don't know who Jake One is, but from what I hear on this album, he is one hell of a dope producer, who is from the Seattle area. I never heard any music from Sea Town (except for Sir Mix-A-Lot), but that might change after I've heard this album. Anyway, I was recommended this by a friend, because the guest appearances was very diverse, from mainstream to underground. Artists from Busta Rhymes, to Slug, to MF Doom, to Young Buck, so it's a little bit of everything.

The majority of the production here is top notch. Jake One uses a lot of upbeat production throughout here to match the rappers styles, and the majority of them use them successfully. He also is great with finding some great drum breaks to toss into the beats he makes. Vitamin D helps out with some of the scratches that are frequently heard here. Great songs include "God Bless The Child" featuring Little Brother, and "Oh Really" with Pos and Slug. Both songs showcase some great production done by Jake One. As for the guest's lyrics, most of them are on point. Little Brother are great on the aforementioned track "Bless The Child". Blueprint hits a stride on a great storytelling "Scared", which has a sick beat (the ending was kinda sudden though). "Glow" featuring Elzhi and Royce da 5'9" is a lyrical hot track. "Big Home Style" has a nostalgic 1996 beat sound to it, and artists J.Pinder, GMK, and Spaceman are great.

Missteps here are around here as well. Freeway on "How We Ride" is kind of weak, as well as the vibe of Jake One's production. Veteran rapper Casual doesn't sound well on "Feelin' My ****", as he mentions a lot of rappers in his hook who is "feelin' his ****".

Overall, White Van Music is an excellent album. If you're looking for a diverse compilation with hot production, you'll enjoy this album. The production here is grade A, and as for an added bonus, an instrumental album comes along with it. Hopefully Jake One will have the momentum to become a star producer, but here it's an excellent debut. Highly Recommended. Peace.

Lyrics: N/A
Production: A
Guest Appearances: B
Musical Vibes: A-

Top 5 Tracks:

1. Big Home Style (featuring J. Pinder, GMK, and Spaceman)
2. Glow (featuring Elzhi and Royce da 5'9")
3. Bless The Child (featuring Little Brother)
4. Home (featuring Vitamin D, C Note, Maine, and Ish)
5. Scared (featuring Blueprint)

Honorable Mention:
1. Oh Really (featuring Pos and Slug)
2. Dead Wrong (featuring Young Buck)
3. Kissin' The Curb (featuring Busta Rhymes and Bishop Lamont)

I still don't know why people are still asking where to find good hip hop and have access to the internet,that's like asking for light to read when all you have to do is 'hit the switch',duh.

CLASSIC.'08 is the "NEW" 1994.

This album is dope. It has everything i wanted. A lot of my underground favorite emcees DOOM, MOP, LITTLE BROTHER, ROYCE, ELZHI, ETC. The artists are laying dope bars over some really nice tracks. I have never heard of Jake One, but on the production level he did his thing over all the tracks. Each fits each artist and he did a good job of matching beats to so many different artists and styles. There really wasn't a really weak song on here. The stand outs for me are GLOW FT ELZHI AND ROYCE, TRAP DOOR FT MF DOOM AND GET ER DONE FT MF DOOM. If Jake can keep producing good beats like this album and continue to pick the proper artists to work with, he will continue to have success for a long time to come.

MF DOOM, BROTHER ALI, and SLUG.......what else could you ask for on one single album. Plus as a bonus you get jake's instrumental album which is good for freestyles and to collaborate other songs together,well if your a masher ;-).

I purchased this album with moderate hope, I dug "The Truth" by Ali pre purchase, and was like ok, Rhymesayers been laggin a bit of late but, give a go. Catastrophe!! "Jake One!" yes I purchased the album I know who's album it is, but a constant barrage of this constipated, mountain dew imitating "Jake One!" sound bite instantly reminded me why I stopped eating X at raves back in the 90's only to go home hearing the name "too cool chris" all night, but minor detail none the less. The production is very standard, varying kick drum-snare-hat-and or sample, nothing unique or stand out, heard it 15 years ago, will probably hear it tomorrow, and every day till I die. Jake One has obvious talent and understands musical structure, this I will not rob him of, but so did Johnny Rotten of the sex pistols and he's making commercials for dairy products now. Stop making dairy commercials Jake. Some outstanding MCs on this joint, and some wretched, piece of mind, when putting out a record on a label known for distributing a particular sect of music, avoid Young Buck, in general avoid Young Buck, if you have toes, if you don't have toes feel free you probably have bigger problems then lousy lyrics.