Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
X-Clan "Return from Mecca", February 21, 2007
What a return! What a comeback! When I was a teenager, X-Clan was one of my favorite groups. They were a way more radical, pro-black, pro-Africa version of Public Enemy. Brother J was just as good a MC as Chuck D, but X-Clan gets no respect.
So this album picks up where their first left off. It's been about 15 years, but this actually meshes well with the older stuff. The beats are updated a bit. But they're still hard, upbeat and militant.
Brother J has one of the greatest deliveries/ flows/ presence on the mic. They borrow enough of the old lyrics to make it familiar to those of us who were fans back in the day. But it's not like it's a straight remake of To The East, Blackwards.
"Return from Mecca" is definitely recommended to anyone who likes that old-school hip-hop. This is music for true hip-hop heads, backpackers and college students.... Good stuff... which probably means no one will buy it.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vanglorious Return (4 and 1/2 stars), November 11, 2007
This review is protected by The Red, The Black and The Green. For those of you who dont know, X-Clan is one of those groups of the early 90s that gave you superb rap classics like Return To The East Blackwards and Xodus(the album You dont mention). After a long hiatus and the untimely passing of Professor X(RIP), Brother J is back and in full effect with this album. Brother J sounds very energized as evidenced in tracks like Aragorn, Who U Doin That and Weapon X. He stills drops knowledge as well as dope rhymes on those track mentioned as well as Mecca, Prison, Atonement, Self-Destruct, 3rd Eyes On Me etc. Voodoo brings back memories as RBX does his best Professor X impression on the track. Im glad that Krs-One and Brother J buried the hatchet(rap gods should never beef period!)because Speak The Truth is 2006's best rap collabo. Trump Card is another exciting cut that features a pretty good verse from a femcee by the name of Hannah Barbera. Locomotion has the most unlikely but good collaboration with Tri State of One Session and Brad X of Kottonmouth Kings(yes, you've read that right). Another unexpected but good match up is Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach on the rock-inspired Americans. Damian Marley shows up on the beautifully reggae-inspired Culture United. Even though this album is great, I dont feel, Space People(feat Quazedelic) and Funky 4 U(feat Charli 2na of Jurassic 5). Bottom Line: X-Clan's Return To Mecca is one of 2006's best releases and is X-Clan's best work to date. The Production: innovative, unique and catchy. Lyrics: Brother J is still sharp and his rhymes are stilled filled with jewels that need to be heard especially now. Guest appearances: They were great too(especially Krs-One) and added to the album's appeal. I strongly recommend this to any fan of political hip hop. Professor X would be proud. PS. could someone tell me the name of the last joint featuring Tech9ne? Thanks. Standout Tracks: VOODOO, WEAPON X, SPEAK THE TRUTH, POSITRONS, MECCA, PRISONS, ATONEMENT, TRUMP CARD, AMERICANS and 3RD EYES ON ME.
PROFESSOR X REST IN PEACE!!!!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
lyrics and knowledge, March 22, 2007
A lyricist, dope beats and knowledge are the key elements to a dope conscious album. Funkin' lesson hits all the categories on the head with this new release from x clan. When I heard a new album was coming out after the long hiatus I questioned if brother J still had it. Well I saw x clan live when they came to chicago with public enemy. needless to say I left the concert with x clan's new cd in my hand. Not only does brother J shine on the album but he also has some nice guest appearances (Krs-One, Chali 2na, Jr. Gong Marley). It is good to hear a solid album that actually has some substance to it instead of wack material lyrics with a wack dance to accompany the weak track. This release gets two thumbs up from me.
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