Rating:
Genre:
Rap
Release Date: 07/27/1999
A label-compilation project showcasing the varied and growing talents of the rejuvenated
Solesides crew, now known as
Quannum,
Quannum Spectrum represents the unparalleled ambition of one of
underground rap's most respected collectives. Though the critics have given
DJ Shadow most of the attention,
Quannum Spectrum boasts excellent productions and intricate rapping from a half-dozen important figures, including
Chief Xcel and
Gift of Gab (from
Blackalicious),
Lateef the Truth Speaker and
Lyrics Born (from
Latyrx), plus -- for one track -- guest producer
El-P. Opening with the groovy
Quannum/
Jurassic 5 soundclash
"Concentration," Quannum Spectrum works through over a dozen wildly diverse tracks, subtly reinforcing the concept of a free-form late-night radio show (it's occasionally broken up by spoken-word meanderings by "host"
Mack B. Dog). Though
"Storm Warning" and
"Divine Intervention" provide a one-two punch early on, the album really never lets up; midway, an irresistible groove number (
"People Like Me" by
Joyo Velarde) fades into a great
Lyrics Born number (
"I Changed My Mind") that plays more like
blues-rock than
hip-hop. It's easily one of the most effective statements of purpose ever produced in
hip-hop, much less the
underground rap scene.
~John Bush, All Music Guide
;)
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