Rating:
Genre:
Rap
Release Date: 10/31/2000
If you're down with
progressive hip-hop and aren't hip to the sounds of the collective formerly known as
Solesides, you need to check out this two-CD retrospective.
DJ Shadow,
Chief Xcel, and
the Gift of Gab (aka
Blackalicious),
Mack B. Dog, and
Lateef and
Lyrics Born (aka
Latyrx) are among the finest artists in
Bay Area hip-hop, laying the groundwork that forms the foundation of the
West Coast alt-rap scene. With a cratedigger's attention to detail, you can hear
Shadow's skills all the way back on 1993's
"Entropy," while
Blackalicious' dextrous lyrics on 1994's
"Lyric Fathom" are evidence of the clique's trademark abstract expressionist rhyme style. For those who have followed the
Solesides crew's careers, there are plenty of unreleased cuts, rare B-sides, and remixes here to make this a worthwhile investment. For those who haven't, freestyle throwdowns like
"Lateef's Freestyle" and posse cuts like
"Blue Flames" are ample evidence that this is one of the most potent crews in
hip-hop.
~Bret Love, All Music Guide
;)
Listen
