Artist: DJ Monkey
Title: Another Evolution
Genre: Jazz-Rock-Rap-Spoken Word
Label: 7 Records Music
DJ Monkey Web site
I think the title of this album is perfect. Another Evolution is most certainly descriptive of the music provided by DJ Monkey on this CD. This talented group of individuals, and I stress individuals, come together and blend their multitude of talents together to create one of the coolest most diverse mixtures of jazz, rock, rap and spoken word that you are bound to hear.
I felt compelled to listen to this CD repeatedly. The music is superb and the ongoing barrage of lyrical assaults against the status quo proves to cut much deeper than just a quick shot in the foot. These deeply thought out lyrics are felt wholeheartedly and believed by those that sing them. I can agree to one prolific passage from “Big Oil.” Here is their ode to big government-“Democrats, Republicans, what’s the fucking difference? They’re all puppets or whores.” It is so true. This is music with no boundaries musically and lyrically and that is what makes its so appealing across the board. You find the heartbeat of the people and the tension of the bustling streets of the city on this disc, the feeling and atmosphere of that energy is all over the place on this recording. I just came back from spending three days in NYC so it was easy for me to relive that atmosphere and energy through this music.
This is when rap can have a meaning, an existence beyond the music itself. I think the execution of the music and lyrics as separate entities, yet their ability to make it a cohesive unit in the same instance, is what makes this such an incredible experience for the listener. This brilliant work of art is a necessity for any one that can appreciate the truth about life, good music, and artisans with enough moxie to make it all happen on one CD.
April 20, 2005
01. 5th Avenue Jam (2:31)
02. U-Boat (3:27)
03. Beatnik (3:27)
04. Too Cool (4:13)
05. Hollywood & Vine (2:55)
06. My Life Is (3:39)
07. Big Oil (3:26)
08. Messages (3:16)
09. No One Speaks (1:37)
10. Raindance (3:06)
11. Boomerang (4:28)
12. Jerusalem (4:11)
Rating-9/10
Credits:
Joey Alkes, Mick McMains, Lil Tip Tow MR1: Voices
Mick McMain: guitars, keyboards, drumbeats, computer
Mitch Rafal: saxophones, shaman flute
MR1: turntables
Ian McMains: guitar, keyboards
Moose McMains: bass
Jim Duff, Jim Fizz, Cynthia Contreras, Chris Fradkin: supporting voices
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