Reviewed by Steve Hayes

From the great city of Denver in the spectacular state of Colorado comes this rapper and producer with an album of sounds and occasional jazzy licks that is often as inspiring as the nearby Rocky Mountains. Proxy describes his 16 track album as "life stories" and shows diverse stylistic approaches, from west to east to mid-west. With jazzy bass lines fused through a number of tracks, eg "For The Streets" with its laid back street swing as Proxy confronts the hypnotic attraction of the streets, to the more west coast but equally jazzy "Kingdom", there is much here to draw the listener. Guests abound through the project including well known names like Jurny Big ("I Am That"); the southern pulsating minimalist party boomer "Crash Landing" with Mr Del and Shonlock; to the final upwards thrust in "Rise" with the unique rap talents of Braille and Propaganda over killer production. A standout tasty old skool-styled gospel roller comes in the testimonial "The Promise" while another standout is the God's grace-filled-message in "Life Changed Me". A more than solid project!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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