Lefty & Big Oso Loc reviewed @ BayUndaground.com

[LethaFace]

Lefty - "And Then There Was... Lefty"

Deep Sleep Records is a young, yet very enterprising label which mostly signs homeboy rappers. We've already had a chance to meet people like Pistol Cee, Lil Duce (R.I.P.), Cuttyboy or Redrum, as they released over 5 official projects. The majority of their previous music referred to gang affiliations / street life and unique, psychedelic themes. The beginning of 2010 brings label's latest album - a debut cd by Lefty, who's been featured on Redrum's sophomore solo, "Strangulation IV" and "No Suckas" compilations.

You may think that Lefty's vocal craft would not be too professional due to lack of experience on wax; and ultimately the whole album would turn out to be a failure. I must admit that I bought "And Then There Was... Lefty" just after it was available in pre-sale at CD Baby and I didn't even bother to listen to the snippets. After I heard his verses on "Dear Satan" I believed that his solo would be at least good and worth my money - and I wasn't mistaken. I didn't regret my rash decision as I received a very interesting project from the 530 area code representative. Lefty's biggest advantages are his flows and voice, which sound fresh, energetic and hoarse. His verses are filled with emotions and are spit in rather fast tempo, which he can easily switch to a slower one. I was expecting to get a lot of thought-provoking and deep lyrics on this release, after what was heard on Redrum's latest solo. The reviewed album is yet not that specific and original int erms of lyrics as "Dear Satan", but it has its moments where Lefty shares his personal thoughts. You'll definitely find them on tracks dedicated to rapper's life and his experiences with women and close friends. However the majority of the material is touching on typical street topics like representing Northern Cali, especially the 530 and 415 area codes, where most of the Deep Sleep members are from. After I listened to the cd more and more I started feeling not fully satisfied with the lyrical side. There are of course a few ambitious tracks like the one called "Change Of Thought" talking about Lefty's ex-girlfriend, but it's minority. The overall level of the album is definitely raised by host's delivery, which is full of accurate metaphors, relevant rhymes and catchy choruses, which might be depicted by one from "Change Of Thought" track:

You've been a crazy bitch
Got me goin' crazy with your craziness
I'm hating this
How you got feeling anxiousness
I'd rather die than be with you for the rest of my life
I've changed my mind, I ain't tryna have that for wife

The equally vital role in the project's quality was played by guests and the producer - Sleepy (22B). The composer delivered all of the beats and what's more, he also did the mastering and the artwork. It is not the first time for Sleepy to prepare the whole music for the album as he's already supported Deep Sleep Records on their previous releases. His production is very original and professional, yet the one he did on this cd wasn't in my opinion as great as the one presented on solo projects by Redrum or Pistol Cee. Anyway, the music on "And Then There Was... Lefty" is still good and typical for street rap from Northern Cali. Unfortunately it's missing more distinct bass lines and sophisticated samples, as some of the beats sound similar to one other. Maybe it's the fact that I was expecting to hear the musical masterpiece, after what I've experienced on previous DS albums. I'll also add that there's a mistake in the tracklist - songs 5 and 6 are switched, which has been corrected in the listing provided above. Overall the debut album by Lefty is a very solid piece of rap, mostly thanks to rapper himself and his undoubted vocal talent. "And Then There Was... Lefty" is a decent release that should find its place in every Deep Sleep Records fan's cd collection.

Taken from BayUndaground.com

01. 41530 f. LSE, Pistol Cee & Sleepy (22B)
02. Dopefiends f. LSE
03. Celebrating f. LSE
04. Change Of Thought
05. On Fire
06. Country Hoe
07. She Got It f. Sleepy (22B) & Loco Sin Freno
08. Tailgating f. Cuddie Cut & Mateo Net
09. Best Friend f. Sleepy (22B)
10. Don't Be Scared f. LSE
11. Drive Me Crazy f. Sleepy (22B)
12. Like Us
13. Wiggle f. LSE
14. Dirty Five Thirty f. LSE

 

[LethaFace]

Big Oso Loc - "Inked Up N Banged Out"

"Inked Up N Banged Out" is a third solo album by Big Oso Loc - a Latin representative from Irvington (Fremont) in the East Bay. These days he's one of the most recognizable figures in the homeboy rap, not because of a huge discography, as it isn't really that large, rather for his talent and impressive fan base. As far as it his music career is concerned, despite official solos, he has also released a collabo project with Fat Steve and two mixtapes.

The reviewed album is the first one recorded under Connected Inc., a label founded by Lil Coner, who's truly devoted to and intent upon Latin rap scene recently. We receive 14 brand new songs plus a recycled track ("Bay Riderz") from rapper's debut cd; fortunately placed in the very end. Ever since I remember Big Oso Loc presented more or less the same style. His voice still remains deep and low-pitched, while his flow aggressive and passionate. This Latin emcee usually keeps moderate tempo, yet he can unexpectedly speed up on a short part of the verse. Oso moves through every beat with smoothness and great ease, so you won't hear any slips on the microphone. Vocal side of this project will definitely appeal to all true gangsta rap fans. You'll find similarities in the lyrical aspects and themes of "Inked Up N Banged Out", as rapper tells us street stories and proudly represents Northern California. Most of the content refers to the hood life and homeboys, which is clearly audible in tracks like "All I Know", "This Ones Four", "Throw Up The 4" or "You And Me". We'll also hear a bit of gang banging, for instance in "Body Drop" or something about loyalty in "Gangstas Don't Talk". We can read between the lines about hating scraps, yet these type of lyrics are mainly delivered by guests (Big Rhino, Negro and Pistol Cee). Highly unexpected, yet very fresh, were a few songs about feelings and women. So far unprecedented themes might be heard on tracks like "You're In Love", "She Wants Me", "Be My Girl" or "My Queen", which mainly talk about females. What's more interesting, he's not speaking about them in a typical way of a pimp or a player, but describes his feelings towards them with a great dedication. A considerable dose of host's deep thoughts are accumulated in the end of album, where next to the mentioned tracks you'll get a touching tribute to a dead homie. For those of you who still consider this Fremont artist only a tough, cold-hearted guy here's a quote from "R.I.P. Flaco":

As I sit here sippin' on this brew,
Tears rollin' down my face, thinkin' of you
I can't believe how hard it is for me to write this song,
Been almost a year, it shouldn't took this long,
But the pain is deep, the tears fell like rain,
Since the day that you left, homes I ain't been the same
He was my little homie, yeah I gave you your name,
Little Flaco from the IRV gang

Don't misjudge Oso's creativity of rhymes with the one presented above, as he usually delivers more sophisticated ones. Moving back to the lyrical content, I have to emphasize that its diversity is not making the whole album less cohesive, as it sounds balanced and solid from beginning to the end. The quality level of this project was achieved not only by impressive vocals, but also thank to producers' work. Beat makers left a set of brilliant beats, which are very close to perfect. Loud and distinct bass lines, catchy melodies and clean mastering are principal factors of "Inked Up N Banged Out". What's more, the beats always fit the lyrics of the song, following its idea. I was only disturbed by modifications of vocals in a couple of choruses (on tracks #3, #7, #9 and #12) where you can hear some strange computerized sounds and once even a kind of autotune. Almost half of the beats were produced by VA, four others were brought by Down Lo and the rest was composed by Sleepy (22B), Twizted, Mastermind and Star69. It is obvious that Big Oso Loc is both a great rapper and lyricist; he proves once again that he can work hard on the solo project and drop a solid material. The most die-hard gangsta rap fans might feel uncomfortable while listening to softer tracks by the Bear, yet I assure you they're still excellent. Next to Sav-It-Out Records releases, "Inked Up N Banged Out" is in my humble opinion one of the best Latin albums of 2009.

Taken from BayUndaground.com

01. Ima Big Boy
02. All I Know
03. You're In Love
04. Gangstas Don't Talk f. Big Rhino
05. How I Ride (remix)
06. Gangsta Muzic
07. She Wants Me
08. This Ones Four
09. Body Drop f. Negro
10. Throw Up The 4 f. Pistol Cee & Redrum
11. Be My Girl
12. You And Me
13. My Queen
14. R.I.P. Flaco
15. Bay Riderz f. Woodie

 

[ChuckTaylor84]

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