FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1998 All Rights Reserved.
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| MUSIC I'm getting real tired of all the blame that El Niño is getting for practically everything that's gone wrong recently. Raging forest fires? Okay, so maybe there's a connection. Killer tornadoes? Perhaps. Record-setting floods? Well, sure. Jackson Five reunion? That one really hurts, pal. But hey, it's just a little change in wind direction we're talking about, and those Calgarians who complain about the weather we're getting should have their heads examined. If anything, El Niño should be getting well-deserved props for reviving the city again after yet another listless winter. We've headed into an early full-on summer and there's nothing like block thumpin' beats emanating from the top-down vehicles prowling the city streets to bring home the point. Fans of hip hop, soul and funk should look forward to this time of year more than any other, as these musical vibes provide the best soundtracks for the season - it isn't about sitting in some dark dungeon and reflecting on Poe's or Kafka's paranoid writings, it's about open air cruisin' and knockin' boots. So heading up the charge on the hip hop front is the Ruthless Records compilation Decade of Game, featuring the likes of NWA (and individual members thereof), HWA (Hoez With Attitude), and Above the Law. This album serves as a reminder of the remarkable 10-year output of this label. Musically, it's above average, and lyrically, it's definitely not for the weak of heart. This is, after all, the label that put gangsta rap on the map, and while most of the noise was made in the first half of its decade-long existence, their presence (particularly those of Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Easy E) is being felt to this day. "X" marks the spot. Hip hop isn't about reinventing the wheel, as it once was - it's more about perfecting the art. Like seeing Michael Jordan's buzzer-beating fadeaway jumper for the millionth time, there's something reassuring about seeing someone achieving full mastery over one's craft. On DJ Honda's latest release, HII (Epic), this is unfortunately not the case. With guest artists such as De La Soul, Mos Def, Beatnuts and Keith Murray, HII could have been dope. Instead, it winds up as an uninspired and unsuccessful layup attempt, and the beats and rhymes are about as tight as the Raptors' defence. On the soul front, Quincy Jones's newest protégé, Tamia, displays her more-than-capable vocal talents on her self-titled debut (Qwest/Warner). Although a little cheesy at times, there's material on here that nicely finds a niche between Adriana Evans's sweet, ethereal ballads and Groove Theory's head-bobbin' pop-funk. If all was right with the world, she would usurp Celine Dion as the queen of soundtracks. Lastly, there's the Caribbean compilation, Dancehall Kings III (A&M). Oh, baby. With the fine (read: exaggerated) booty painted on the cover and the likes of Sly, Robbie, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer on the CD, this one should be blowin' it up in a big way. If you can't get enough of the Fugees/Wyclef Jean-type material, then get your hands on this release. It's completely mindless, and that's exactly why it should remain on everyone's summer listening staple. Irie, mon. El Niño never felt so good. |
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