dork magazine.

1. Blackalicious – Fabulous Ones

See, the matter of the fact is that I’m so gifted. I hear a lot of new artist’s and a lot of new music, but when the sounds of Gift of Gab and Chief Excel came over the airwaves it was something special. Futuristic and yet old school, Blackalicious manages to capture a fun party vibe while maintaining a serious dedication to musicality and lyricism. The first tune I heard from these guys was the lyrical mind bender Alphabet Aerobics. I immediately copped the album and took the opportunity to grab a ticket to see an upcoming show. To this day even though it was hotter than hell in a nasty, dirty sweat box about the size of your shoe closet that was one of the best Hip Hop shows I’ve seen.

2. Afu-ra – Whirlwind Through Cities

There’s just something about DJ Premieres sound. For those in the crowd brought up through the mid 90’s you know how Primos programming not only seems purely hip hop but simultaneously sounds so New York. Afu-Ra was somewhat of a Jeru protégé and this album actually came and went for a few months before I really got a chance to hear it. Once the needle dropped on this piano laden affair though I was sold. My man DJ Res put me up on this back at Dr.Disc and we pretty much rocked the entire album while discussing the current hater topic of the day ( it probably had something to do with shiny suit rap ) Ride the bus with this and the urban landscape will begin to make sense. Beautiful hardcore.

3. Natural Resources – They Lied

Someone lied! Wow. Although I’m actually a huge fan of the classic A-side Negro League Baseball, the B-side is just as dope. I remember going to this backroom record store in London called Heavy Rotation and requesting that record about baseball. My man Mike emerging out of the back with this little gem. I had to flip this since I don’t think I’ve heard or even played my own copy of this since ’98. A rare slice of hip hop that should be served up more often. Enjoy the delicacy.

4. Reflection Eternal – The Express

The perfect balance, I’ve found it. Back to my short lived emcee career, I remember using that line on the hook of a tune I wrote for my girl. This track is so smooth. Hi-Tek was just killing me with every new production I heard. This is one of those available on 12 inch, but never made it to the album affairs. It’s such a great tune and yet I don’t recall anyone playing it very much if at all. This purchase was sort of serendipitous. It was in my buying anything with a Rawkus logo phase, plus I was heavily checking for this kid Talib Kweli since his Lyrist Lounge appearance. Jump on the train of thought.

5. Wyclef John – John 3:16

Wyclef is such an interesting cat. I remember being more hooked on what Lauryn had to say after The Fugees debut though. That was before I heard this outing on the classic Muggs Presents: Soul Assassins. A quiet string laced affair with a great hook. This is one of those songs that had me glued to the radio when I first heard it. That isn’t from Carnival! After no track announcement I actually freaked out and had to call up the station to ask what it was. The DJ let me know and went on to drop the equally dope Third World track from the same comp. It took me a minute to get this on vinyl copy, but once I did I was extremely satisfied. A sweet and buttery treat.

--el fin.