Below is a review of the Collabos album that ran in this weeks Willamette Week. This is the first review that this writer has done for the paper, and before he did it, he made it clear that he didn't like this genre of music. I am asking all of you to write an email to the music editor of the paper in support of the project. This is to let him know that this review is far from accurate. He told me that the main reason that he didn't like the album was because on "All Hip-Hop" E-Dawg said "I want platinum plaque". When did it become wrong to want to be successful? So I ask all of you to please take sometime out to write the music editor. His email is listed below the review of the album. Thanks for your support. We must fight against ignorant music writers. He didn't know who any of the features were, or the importance of this project. The writers name is David Gerritson, and the music editors name Marc Baumgarten.
Various Artists
Collabos
Jus Family Records
After a two-year absence, Portland's Jus Family Records is back with another release of what owner Terrance Scott calls "Hood Hip-Hop." Scott, a.k.a. Cool Nutz, claims he is bridging the gap between positive hip-hop and gangsta rap, and that Collabos pushes that idea forward. But with its nearly subsonic beats and harmonic minor melodies, the label's latest collaborative effort resembles little more than a darker version of corporate rap radio. In the search for the "platinum plaques" that E-Dawg raps about on "It's all Hip-Hop" the effort falls short. Most of the songs, like "Done Deal" (featuring Maniac Lok, B-Legit & G-Ism) and "First Time I Seent Her" (Cool Nutz, Mac Dre & Phranchise), spend 20 seconds establishing beats that don't need more than a measure. While the beats are technically interesting, they plod along at a monotonous pace. There aren't enough layers in the music to keep it interesting outside of the catchy hooks, which are few and far between. The voices resonate, but the lyrics are trite. With 29 different MCs and producers involved, it's surprising that no one thought to put more work into the vision of the songs. Bosko, the main producer of the album and Scott's partner in Jus Family, succumbs to the album's pitfalls on "Done Deal" but is able to salvage a couple of good tracks, namely the lush and party-ready "One Time" and "Behind the Scenes." Despite these few songs that invite a larger audience ready to bob heads, Collabos finds Jus Family staying true to its name: making music that is just for its own family. These guys should focus more on the music, figure out what's working, what's not, and forget about that platinum plaque. (David Gerritsen)
[email protected]
Various Artists
Collabos
Jus Family Records
After a two-year absence, Portland's Jus Family Records is back with another release of what owner Terrance Scott calls "Hood Hip-Hop." Scott, a.k.a. Cool Nutz, claims he is bridging the gap between positive hip-hop and gangsta rap, and that Collabos pushes that idea forward. But with its nearly subsonic beats and harmonic minor melodies, the label's latest collaborative effort resembles little more than a darker version of corporate rap radio. In the search for the "platinum plaques" that E-Dawg raps about on "It's all Hip-Hop" the effort falls short. Most of the songs, like "Done Deal" (featuring Maniac Lok, B-Legit & G-Ism) and "First Time I Seent Her" (Cool Nutz, Mac Dre & Phranchise), spend 20 seconds establishing beats that don't need more than a measure. While the beats are technically interesting, they plod along at a monotonous pace. There aren't enough layers in the music to keep it interesting outside of the catchy hooks, which are few and far between. The voices resonate, but the lyrics are trite. With 29 different MCs and producers involved, it's surprising that no one thought to put more work into the vision of the songs. Bosko, the main producer of the album and Scott's partner in Jus Family, succumbs to the album's pitfalls on "Done Deal" but is able to salvage a couple of good tracks, namely the lush and party-ready "One Time" and "Behind the Scenes." Despite these few songs that invite a larger audience ready to bob heads, Collabos finds Jus Family staying true to its name: making music that is just for its own family. These guys should focus more on the music, figure out what's working, what's not, and forget about that platinum plaque. (David Gerritsen)
[email protected]
