Mind over Matter

Zion I

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 30, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ground Control
• ASIN: B00004T210
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #109,108 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Creation

2. Revolution (B-Boy Anthem) - Vinroc, Zion I

3. Critical - Planet Asia, Zion I

4. Mysterious Wayz

5. Tha Choice

6. Koncrete Jungle

7. Metropolis

8. Oh Lawd

9. Trippin'

10. How Many

11. Elevation

12. Little Change

13. Fools Gold

14. Venus

15. Rap Degreez

16. Silly Puddy - The Grouch, Zion I

17. Inner Light

18. Big Ups

19. All tha Way - 427, Eclipse 8, Eclipse 8, Knowmatic, Rasco, Zion I

20. One

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Innovative and engaging, Zion I's Mind over Matter succeeds because of its impressive conceptual execution. The Bay Area trio of Zion, Amp Live, and DJ K-Genius set the tone with the old-school energy of "Revolution (B-boy Anthem)," reawakening hip-hop's subversive impulses. Spiritual--not economic--uplift is the focus of this album, and Zion's meditative lyrics deconstruct materialist craving ("Venus") and deliver stream-of-consciousness musing ("How Many"). Zion I avoid being overly earnest, tossing in no-frills bangers ("Critical" with Planet Asia), and also tastefully embrace drum & bass on the previously released single "Inner Light" and the soothing instrumental "Metropolis." This versatile and progressive musical ambience, courtesy of the knob-twiddling of 418Hz Productions, mirrors their lyrical tone, serving up a nourishing blend of beats and rhymes. --Del. F. Cowie

Product Description

Hip Hop. Debut Album from Zion I. 21 Tracks Including: Creation, Critical, Mysterious Wayz, Concrete Jungle, etc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Keeper!, June 17, 2001

By	Warren Pedronan (san jose, ca usa) - See all my reviews

The Oakland based crew consisting of emcee Zion, DJ & producers Amp Live and Kahilid are showing the world how diverse hip hop coming outta the Bay Area is. Like the Hieroglyphics, Living Legends, Spearhead and Quannum, they are making a name for themselves by providing sounds like no other. While *initially* this cd might seem to have a over-abundant amount d&b flavored joints for your average hip hop head to handle such as, "Metropolis" and the hypnotical, "Elevation" that all becomes more and more addicting with each listen. A bundle of positive lyrics are spread throughout the entire album; down to the albums interludes the album is overflowing with just dope messages. Plenty of guest emcees also bless the mic. "Silly Puddy" features Living Legend, The Grouch as he drops some science with Zion about the way in which the Creator molds us through lifes obstacles and experiences. Several other appearances include: the Cali Agents Planet Asia and Rasco, Eclipse and turntablist Vinroc. Zion even drops some downright sentimental sh!t in, "Venus" a track about a green-eyed broad (Venus) who lures wealthy "pray" into her web. Dispite the fact that she recieves gifts and attention she has yet to realize that all is a temporary, artificial happiness. "She want money stacks, Phat Cadillacs/ Spend all her time dinin' out with big macks/ Thinkin that the green give her something to feel/ But the best thing she can do is just chill..." Thus, like a terrible addiction, she only wants more and as even more cats fall victim to her ways. Production wise DJ K-Genious and Amp Live are definitely on point; nice cuts and scratches, and the electronica isn't overbearing as it meshes well with the emcees that grace the album. My B-Boys & Girls, support this crew of three concious, uplifting cats and check out what they have to offer. I promise, it won't dissappoint.

Favorite cuts: + Critical + Elevation + Silly Puddy + Inner Light + All the Way + Just get the cd already.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Hip Hop, December 11, 2000

By A Customer

It seems few musicians these days can actually be called "artists," and even fewer of the musicians are rappers. Zion I proves that true, artistic, real hip-hop still exists. Sellouts like Jay Z and puffy may be able to afford fast cars and extravagant egos, but they seem to have missed the point. Hip-hop is a generation, a revolution of creativity and expression. Zion I understands this, mocking the idiocies of [...]; rap (Fool's gold). Anyone interested in pure, enlightened hip-hop should definitely buy this cd. Zion I, Tribe, Common, The Coupe, Hieroglyphics, Black Star, --- all groups that will save the future of music from Cash Money, No Limit, and other greed-based labels.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 418 (Jendayo's Review), September 10, 2000

By	jendayo grady (Forestville, MD) - See all my reviews

This is definitely one of the tightest cd's I have heard in a long time. Much respect to Zion, Amp Live and DJ K-Genius. I am a person who is tired of popular hip-hop which is degrading to my spirit. "Mind Over Matter" gives me inspiration to elevate my spiritual awareness. Zion gives a unique and versatile journey of his innermost desires. The beats are tight and the scratching brings it all together. Favorite tracks include: Trippin, How Many, Venus, Innerlight Remix, and One.

We will hear from Zion I for a long time. 418 still in effect.

Jendayo(Melatone)