Deep Water Slang V2.0

Zion I

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 18, 2003)
• Original Release Date: February 18, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Raptivism
• ASIN: B00008AY4G
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #250,591 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Jahmbo

2. The Drill

3. Warriors Dance (feat. Pep Love)

4. Finger Paint (feat. Susie Suh & Dust)

5. Kharma

6. Flow (feat. the Grouch)

7. A.E.I.O.U.

8. Deepwaterslang

9. Cheeba Cheeba (feat. Aceyalone)

10. Kick Snare

11. Sorry

12. Le, Le, Le (feat. Dust & Deuce Eclipse)

13. Boom Bip (feat. Goapele)

14. Mind Blow

15. Dune

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After Zion I's original label folded, Zion and Amp Live took their album back to the lab and retooled it. The initial misfortune turned out to be an auspicious opportunity as DeepWater Slang 2.0 benefits from the second pass. A diverse, broad album that's as much for thinkers as it is for rump shakers, Slang is more evidence that Zion I is helping to take charge of a Bay Area underground scene that's been wayward of late. Amp's tracks perfect a malleable sound that can be organic one moment, spacey the next, and then slam it back to concrete afterwards. Zion is similarly versatile, bringing an intelligent, expansive worldview to his songwriting. The group keeps it refreshingly light on cameos, including Pep Love on "Warrior Dance" and L.A. wordsmith Aceyalone on "Cheeba Cheeba." Zion I gets deep--not to drown you, but to immerse you in their vibe. --Oliver Wang

Product Description

The No-Cal-based underground hip-hop duo's sophomore effort. 15 tracks including the first single, 'Cheeba Cheeba', featuring Aceyalone. Raptivism. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Audible Stress Relief {5 Stars}, January 25, 2007

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

Whenever I listen to this album, I always end up in a better mood no matter what is troubling me. Whether you're cruising on a sunny Saturday afternoon, grilling in the backyard, or lounging wherever you may be, this album will make for an excellent backdrop to do it to. This album just feels right. I mean, words don't really do it justice. I can't describe to you what the vibes contained on this disc are like. It's something that you have to experience yourself. It's a shame that albums like this don't get spins on radio. In fact, it's a cryin' shame.

Forget about flaws. There are none on this album. Amp Live's beats are simply too unique to compare to anyone else and Zion rocks every last one of Amp's creations with ease and precision. I don't normally recommend buying overpriced albums, but this album is probably worth the $35 price tag that you see above. I know I'd pay it if I didn't already have this album.

Just press play and let Zion I do the rest. The beats on this album are unique, relaxing, and refreshing. The lyrics are the perfect blend of concious raps and Cali swagger. I can't really say much more than that because I'm still at a loss for words five years after its release. Get your hands on it any way you can. Even if you have to download it, because you're going to end up buying it anyway. It's that good.

Standout Tracks: Every song on the album is excellent

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something new, June 20, 2006

By	David Azari "azarid" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just got turned onto these guys, and I've liked pretty much every track I've heard. They have a very original sound. The beats are great, and it's been good listening for the car, gym, etc.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Futuristic Hiphop from Cali duo, January 13, 2005

By	DukeOfEarl "I Hiphops for life" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

The combo of MC Zion and producer Amp-Live prove to be one of the best kept secrets outside of California. I was brought to attention of this group when they recently competed in an MTV2 battle-of-the-bands type program. This is their only album I have at the moment, their debut "Mind Over Matter," which is ranked highly, is out-of-print I believe. But this one was very satisfying.
I believe that Amp-Live MAKES this album. He has to be one of the best producers today. He likes to use a lot of guitar, and plenty other live instruments(sometimes done by himself or Zion). This album is full of spacey, serene, melodic, and most importantly futuristic soundscapes. These beats, along with Zion's rhymes, truly feel like your witnessing the future of Hiphop! Zion may not be the best emcee I've heard, but he's more than capable to be Amp's sidekick. Maybe he's just too abstract for my comprehension. Zion can go conscious, political, spiritual, and definetly funky on any given track, so he does not bog this album down at all. It's just that Amp and his beats are the main attraction. Yes, Zion does have a weird, some say even an annoying voice. I think having a distinguishable and unique voice is an asset to an MC in most cases, and Zion's higher-pitced "little-kid voice" eventually hits you as an asset to their music.

Amp-Live gets three tracks to himself, without any rhymes: the intro "Jahmbo," the title track, and the cool "Kick Snare," with Killa Kela beatboxing(I seriously thought it was Biz Markie). One of the singles "The Drill" is the first song with the two, and should grow on you, especially the second(and last) verse. Tracks 3-6 are definitely the meat of this album. Especially "Finger Paint"(ft. Dust) and "Flow,"(ft. The Grouch) both with have serene and awesome beats with solid rhymes as well. These two just might be the two best of the album. "Warriors Dance"(ft. Pep Love) is a club-type song for the thinkers, if that makes any sense, and has just an outstanding beat. I actually think Pep Love outshines Zion on this track, but they both kick it. "Kharma" is one of my favorites too, and Zion does a little crooning on this one with an insightful message. "A.E.I.O.U." is probably my least favorite track off "Deep Water Slang." It more of a club track too where Zion waters down the lyrics, but it's too short to turn anyone off.
Before you know it, you get to the single and old-school throwback "Cheeba Cheeba" with Hiphop legend and fellow-Californian Aceyalone rockin' it with Zion. This is easily of of my favorite songs here, with Acey one of my personal favs who's rhyming like we haven't heard him in years, and the only flaw of it is the hook. The last five round the album out nicely, but aren't as memorable as the main part of the disc. You have "Sorry" where Zion is sincerely repenting for his wrongdoings and one of Amp's most memorable melodic beats. "Le Le Le"(w/ Dust & Deuce Eclipse) is upbeat and had an annoying chorus at first. Then I found out it was from an African tribal chant, and that turned it around into a good song. I mean, how often do you hear a hook like: "If you really love your mama say Le, Le, Le!"? "Boom Bip" is a slower track with Goapele singing, it's okay but not memorable. "Mind Blow" is hit-or-miss. I'm feelin' it, it's really different and authentic, and kind of a change-of-pace in this album. "Dune" finishes it up, where Zion is speaking in a distorted voice. This track is good, but Zion uncharacteristically says something about giving a girl ecstacy and watching her go insane. ??? Actually, there is a short bonus track "One More Thing"(which is track 31) feat. Suzie Suh that is decent, but "Rock Y'all"(track 34) is really good where Zion gets fiery and political and this is the official end of the album.

This album is consistent, has top-notch beats, great rhymes, and is worth your time. Check it out to witness the future of Hiphop! Everything about it is futuristic. Zion's lyrics are rooted in the old-school, no doubt, but he along with Amp-Live are able to take us to the future of Hiphop and music! I think even rock fans could listen to this and like it, but it's definitely for all you Heads out there. Support these guys, let's hope to keep hearing from them long into the future. I think they have an album coming out this Spring...