New
England based hip-hop trio; PRO, Learic and DJ Big Cat, have been
plying their trade in the hip-hop world for over a decade and
joined forces in 2005 to form ‘The Aztext’. Following
on from their acclaimed 2006 debut release, ‘Haven’t
You Heard’, ‘The Aztext’ are back to rock the
hip-hop community with their varied 19 track sophomore release,
‘The Sacred Document’.
‘The Aztext’ have collaborated with
the likes of Q-Unique, Mac Lethal and Wordsworth and have appeared
alongside such notable artists as Non Phixion, Brother Ali, One
Be Lo, Rahzel and KRS One amongst others. These high profile collaborations
and appearances give a strong indication as to the style and quality
of ‘The Aztext’ and immediately place the band amongst
the higher echelons of independent hip-hop’s elite. To deserve
and maintain such a revered position, ‘The Sacred Document’
needs to be a strong, versatile, thumping and thought-provoking
release and guess what, it most certainly is. Opening with the
muscular and catchy ‘We Back’, the trio proceed to
spit impeccable high-octane verbage over a stomping backdrop of
stirring melodies and thick dragging beats. Before the listener
has room to catch their breath, ‘The Aztext’ drop
their strongest track, ‘Lettin’ You Know’ feat.
One Be Lo. Covering similar territory to modern-era Jedi Mind
Tricks, the band utilise thick industrial beats to prop up a beguiling,
vintage sounding melody, and then destroy the track with energetic
and rasping rapping which sees the trio constantly rotate their
spitting to great effect. As the album proceeds, the use of vintage
soul/jazz samples grows to make the tracks remarkably cohesive,
unique and fresh. Take ‘Couldn’t Stand the Pain’
with its 70’s summer-time bounce, ‘Life of an MC’s’
sixties Bacharach groove or the funky ‘Move Into Position’
which seamlessly fuses deep, industrial hip-hop beats with upbeat
soul-funk.
‘Roll Call’ is yet another stand out
with its mutated 70’s Rhodes-fender backdrop and ultra-swift
rapping which combine to create an image of driving at 100mph
through a dark and foggy Gotham City in a souped up Batmobile.
The spliced-up, scratch-heavy chorus is produced with real skill
and when the vocalists spit “I’ll be in this rap shit
until my fcuking heart stops” from the bottom of their hearts,
it really speaks volumes to the listener. ‘East Coast Air’
featuring Double AB and Rich Mo recalls the urban 90’s classic
hardcore of Nas, Mobb Deep and Puff Daddy & Family. Utilising
a skeletal and meandering wind instrumental melody over thumping
beats, the trio really set the scene to the dark going's-on in
the wintry urban jungle. The lyrics convey a real sense of authenticity
and on the chorus they spit “the east coast air is so chilly/so
brilly/don’t be sacred, you so silly/to stay warm we smoke
phillys/while we wear phat bubble goose coats with weed stashed
by both kidneys”. As the album reaches its closing stages,
the quality does not wane. Tracks like the complexly produced
percussive soundscape of ‘Our Kingdom’ featuring Mac
Lethal, and, the reflective, emotive quality of ‘Lookin
Out My Window’ are pure strength whilst the closer, ‘Back
2 Basics’ is a rousing slice of old-skool hip-hop which
is reminiscent of The Beastie Boys . Some of the spitting on this
track is mind-blowing as the trio ride the beats with unparalleled
quality.
As a bonus, three radio edits of ‘Lettin
You Know’, ‘Roll Call’ and ‘Back 2 Basics’
are included. So, all in all, ‘The Aztext’ have created
a 16track deep sophomore album which is brimming with phat beats,
cleverly procured and utilised samples, fast and coherent spiting
and a sense of real hip-hop authenticity. There are no duds or
lame skits to ruin the listeners focus and the production values
are pretty strong. If you looking to get one of 2007’s hottest
independent hip-hop releases then check these guys out now. Support
the streets.(AM)
For
fans of: Jedi Mind Tricks, Mobb Deep, Mac Lethal, Chief Kamachi,
Q-Unique, Outerspace
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