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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastically Eclectic Jazz / Hip-Hop Fusion album....., April 26, 2004
Although the idea of fusing `Jazz' with `Hip-Hop' is in theory nothing new (Hip-Hop artists have been using Jazz instrumentation & Samples for years, "Madlib" stunning "Shade of Blue" album springs to mind), It is as they say......all in the execution. And Bronx Based Turntablist `Dj Logic' goes several steps further than merely lifting samples from the jazz world, and claiming to be doing something different. Instead he's made an album that feels more like an experimental jazz album that is far more a musical offering, than a Hip-Hop album of well placed jazz sounds.It's probably best to start the review by mentioning that having an appreciation of jazz (especially freeform/leftfield jazz) will help immensely in your enjoyment of this album, and most people entering into this album for the first time, will find that although impeccably arranged, produced & bursting with more ideas than an album such as this has any right to, it's never quite immediate enough to win you over with the first listen. First track "Shea's Groove" opens with some energetic acid Jazz, that feels like straight out of a New Orleans jazz venue, with some turntable trickery laying a mid-tempo hip-hop beat (subtly incorporated), over a very prominent scratch attack that features throughout the track. Again the execution here feels seamless, and those expecting something groundbreaking will surely be disappointed, but those with a idea of the logistics of making these factors all work into a coherent whole, will be suitably impressed by its masterfully handled fusion of genres. "Eyes Wide Open (But Dead)", ventures into more traditional Hip-Hop, and those slightly perplexed by the earlier songs, this will feel more familiar, Heavy on kick drum beats and vocal sample scratching, this actually injects the album with a healthy does of variety, and although jazz purists will bemoan its more commonplace Hip-Hop sensibilities, they would be advised that Dj Logic release is as much a Hip-Hop Turntablist album, as much as it is a Jazz-Funk album, and its inclusion is most welcome. "USA Cosa Buena" underlines what makes this album so superbly realised, in the fact that it never confines or limits itself to just a couple of ideas, the `Cosa Buena' in the title of the track should give you a fair idea to expect that the ideas here stretch as far a field as `Cuban' music, and the Hip-Hop side of things most certainly take more of a back seat here, than on other tracks as the brass, Trumpet, conga & maracas & Tabla reference Cuban music around the Castro reign, and as such feels celebratory, summery & passionate, yet showing a underlining respect for Latin Music (incidentally, this track is one of a great many highlights on this album). Much has been made of the beauty of track #14 "Spider Dance", and the vast majority of reviews highlighting this track as one of the very best, and even so far as to suggest that this track alone was worth the price of admission, I was sceptical to say the least, expecting the track to possibly fall slightly short of the praise heaped upon it. But amazingly not only was everyone completely spot-on with their assessment of this track, but (for me) it comfortably exceeds any high hopes I had for the track. Feeling like a sublime mix of down tempo electronica mixed with instrumentation samples, that just as a single are exceptionally well brought together, and stands as something unique in it own right. This truly doesn't feel like either Jazz or Hip-Hop, but a more a electronic-Soul (does such a thing exist??), and the utterly dreamy singing of vocalist `Jennifer Charles` textures the song and gives it a depth & sophistication that the song just couldn't hope to realise without her considerable contribution. Those considering purchasing this, and thinking it maybe along the lines of say "The Roots" or "A Tribe Called Quest" would be well advised to avoid this album, as those albums (although fantastic) merely reference Jazz in their construction. This is (as has been mentioned in the reviews below) quite a challenging listen, and repeated plays are the only way to truly get to grips with this album. Also those that appreciate fusion in its various forms (especially Jazz Fusion) are most likely to be this albums most likely customers, or even those that have a truly eclectic ear for music, will find this a refreshing change of pace, either way.....those with an understanding of what to expect from this album, will find one of a small growing band of supremely experimental Jazz/Hip-Hop cross-over albums, looking to push the musical boundaries.
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~ DJ Logic
~ DJ Logic
~ Supreme Beings Of Leisure
~ Portishead
~ Charlie Hunter
by DJ Logic 
