Talib Kweli let ME down

I absolutely (or used to) love Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Hi-Tek, Reflection Eternal, Blackstar, etc so don't get me wrong about any of the following. To start this off, I have to say that Talib Kweli is in my all time top 5 non questionable favorites. So what the hell happened?

First of all, yes I understand this CD Confidential is a so called "bootleg" or "mix" CD. Yes I understand that this isn't his *new* album. Yes I understand that Talib Kweli has a dope history. But (and this is one hell of a "but") this shit (and I do mean shit) is absolutely fucking garbage. Riddle me this: Who seriously releases tracks featuring Slim Thug? Hmm, let's think about that: Everybody creating crappy new wave Rap music including, now, Talib Kweli.

Secondly, the production is fucking dick. Give me 20 mins, samples, and a microphone and I'll personally recreate half of this album. Hi-Tek, man, learn how to play an instrument, take up chess, or do something dude because sadly producing just isn't for you any more. Where the hell was the inspiration? You two of all people should know good music must, and this must is a must, have heart.

Although this CD is not worth the purchase price, there are a few tracks that are great and should definately be checked out. Track 17 featuring Kanye West entitled "We can make it better" featuring Q-tip and Common and Rhymefest caught me off guard. It's like a sweet taste of reality as a prisoner serving 25 to life. Production on this track is what should be expected out of these guys and it lets them live up to every bit of fame they've achieved thus far. The following track featuring MF Doom entitled "Old School" was also featured on MF Doom's newest album with Danger Mouse called "The Mouse and the Mask" so in my mind, although this track is great, because it was featured on another album it doesn't bring up the curve. The 19th track featuring Jaylib entitled "Raw Shit" is up to par with Talib Kweli's 2002 album Quality meaning it's good (these days what else would we expect from Stonesthrow?) The album ends with a song featuring Leela James which is a remix to the Leela James' original song "Music" off of "A Change is Gonna Come" which was good to begin with and it's kind of hard to fuck that up, so it doesn't really raise the curve either.

Not featured on this album, and I'm glad, is the b-side to track 8 entitled "Fly that Knot" featuring MF Doom off of Talib Kweli's upcoming retail album not yet released. Despite it's a-side, Fly that Knot has everything that makes a good song great, it contains solid production, catchy enthusiastic lyrics, and most importantly a message that is worthy of attention.

Lastly, in all hopes, I pray that this mix CD is not a preview of what is to come from Kweli. I mean, we've all seen great things from him as well as his peers, why stop now? Hopefully upon future album releases his shit is together, production is tight, and his lyrics aren't so generic.

Let this album come to you, support good music, don't buy it. In hopes of seeing better things from Talib Kweli, until next time...

Oh, and David banner maybe you should watch how you use the word "cracker," boy.

One of Those Mixes We All Need

You hear them all the time. Pause while somebody else is fiddling through the deposit envelopes at the ATM, it starts up. The moment right before your first swig of good ole' Captain Morgan; again the smooth sounds of love hit. Cosmo Baker masterminds through a whirlwind of unmistakably essential calm you down classics. Currently the disc lies in a pile of many fellow thin jewel cased mixes so I can't exactly pinpoint song titles or artists that I recall most. Yet, I know the whole damn thing was a revolutionary experience in itself. Subtle hints of sample mania strike with nostalgia with almost every track. It's like Baker wanted the mix to revolve around chess and the anticipation for the next move. Each blend is precise. Calculated perfectly, swiftly. So if you wish to engage in a 70 minute trip to funky junky humpy town, holler at the LAB and get yourself a copy on the hurry.

Coincidence

Zook - Music From the Accumulator

Who would I be if I didn't offer to you (our loyal readers) insight to more profound and elaborate music which you may have never heard of? We all know we here at canklesandwaffles are die hard music fans, each with a different interpretation and colorful ways to describe what's out there in the world. With that said, I'd like to establish that my purpose here is to get you thinking about what you haven't heard. I want to be consistent to those of you who actually read my posts by constantly bringing you reviews of albums which I like on a personal level in hopes that you haven't heard them yet. This was the best way I could think of to introduce you to one of my new favorite groups: Zook.


Up until a month ago, I hadn't ever heard of Zook. Somehow I wandered through Jazz, Lo-Fi, Funk, Hiphop, to Zook's Acoustic Soul. Zook is a band of 2 members from London on tummy touch records: SIMON CHARTERTON (percussion and drums), WILLIAM DENTON (guitar and harmonica). Tummy Touch is kind of like a ninja tune for funky soul rock heads. After hearing what Zook has to offer, I definitely need to hear more from tummy touch.

The album begins with "Slinky," kind of a slow drum kick acoustic guitar breakbeat in a way. Come to think of it that can be said for any of Zook's music on this cd. This is minimalistic music. You wont find any bloated or instrument overpopulation on music from the accumulator. Every track is recorded as if the band had absolutely no point in making any of the tracks, yet somehow each song establishes so much! With no lyrics (aside from an occasional whistle), multi-track production, or electronic equipment (yes, this album was recorded acoustically), zook takes us on a journey back into time when music was about more than just the notoriety. In fact, to them music is all about the sound impression. Modern music these days (especially radio worthy hoopla) is plagued with bulky remastered tracks and enough sound effects to overdo a daffy duck cartoon from the 30's. It's through these means that zook creates a clean sound full of warmth and serenity.

music from the accumulator gets you relaxed. To me, music is all about enjoyment. There's nothing like having it at that perfect volume (to me it's coffee shop talking level), a nice comfortable place to sit, and an appropriate atmosphere. When I listen to Zook, the lights are dim and incense burns. The windows stay shut and my cozy apartment glows warm.

As for production, zook's is top notch. Recorded with 0% electronic media, zook's methods, although daring, paid off with a warm vinyl-like sound on CD. Cymbals are sharp, bass is smooth, percussion is crisp, and ambiance is thick. For the break inspired lo-fi loving funk fans out there, there is none better than zook. Look for more music from tummy touch records, I have a feeling we'll be hearing more from them shortly.