STYLE: Hip-Hop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 5831-5707 LABEL: Essential 8306107402 FORMAT: CD Album
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
Even if you bought this wonderfully phat and innovative set when originally released in 2000 you might well want to get this new version as it contains five new tracks, and a couple of them, "Lift Me Up" (KJ's inventive take on the Jars Of Clay classic "Flood") and "All Around The World" (where KJ is joined by guests John Reuben and former LA Symphony man Pigeon John) are pretty hot. Lots of witty rhymes, lots of guests (making this every bit as rapper-filled as the Tampa, Florida, rapper's 'Collaborations' album whose success persuaded EMI Christian Music Group to pull this out of the archive in the first place). Love that "1, 2, 3" opener with the manic raga toasting from Yankee Man. I enjoyed KJ and T Cleazy's rap up of the old dc Talk hit "The Hardway". Got off on the groove of "Integrity" (which features Bonafide of Grits). All in all, this pioneering collection of West Coast gospel rapping has dates, not one jot. Investigate.
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