- Category: Music » Rap & Hip Hop » Rap & Hip Hop/General
- Format: CD Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
- Release Date: October 28, 2008
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Guerilla Funk Recordings
- UPC: 896657002005
- WAPI (Tower ID): 112305824
-
Average Customer Review:
(1 customer review)
- Tower.com Sales Rank: #92403 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
- #2746 in Rap & Hip Hop (See Top 100 Rap & Hip Hop Bestsellers)
- #1588 in Rap & Hip Hop/General (See Top 100 Rap & Hip Hop/General Bestsellers)
|
|
|
|
|
Product Description
Run a Quick Search on "Acid Reflex *" by Paris to Browse Related Products:Browse more products related to "Acid Reflex *"Browse more products related to "Paris"ReviewURB (Magazine) (p.85) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[H]is ability to collaborate with testosterone-summoning beats, all the while promoting respect for women and a more accurate portrayal of African Americans in the media is a refreshing duality which could only come out of the Yay." Title NoteA controversial figure in the Bay Area for nearly 20 years, Paris has never strayed from the politically charged hip-hop pioneered by Public Enemy. Educated in economics and with professional experience as a stockbroker, the Oakland native lays his informed lyrical fury over funky West Coast production built on hard-thumping Parliament-like basslines. On his sixth album, released through his own Guerilla Funk label, P-Dog doesn't let up--speaking on police brutality, social justice, war profiteering, media sensationalism, and political trickery. ACID REFLEX is compelling, impassioned protest music from start to finish as Paris weaves his vivid verses in between well-placed TV news samples and excerpts from political speeches. Chuck D, George Clinton, and T-K.A.S.H. are also featured. If You Enjoy "Acid Reflex * (CD)", May We Also Recommend:Customer Reviews for "Acid Reflex * (CD)" by Paris (Artist)Most Recent Customer Reviews Righteous Indigestion: Activist Emcee Paris Gives Us Acid Reflex, November 26, 2008
By J. Quintella
By J. Quintella
for SoulsandSounds.com
Shocking album covers are nothing new
for Bay Area activist emcee Paris. Going back nearly 20 years to his debut The
Devil Made Me Do It, they are sometimes provocative, sometimes disturbing...or
both (2003s Sonic Jihads rendering of a jumbo jet headed for the White House is
one glaring example). The visuals for his latest effort, Acid Reflex, do not
disappoint that legacy. The looming, slightly out of focus figure of Uncle Sam
eerily beholds his tragic prize: a grenade-bearing Black infant in his open
palm. The connotation here is immediate and literal Black folks have been in the
clutches of the American social and economic system for over 400 years now--and
as poignant and uplifting as an Obama presidency promises to be, a good chunk of
Americas Black people still face a volatile existence that includes police
brutality, mis-education, self-inflicted crime, and economic strife that seems
as bleak as ever.
Paris 15-cut sonic assault on these injustices gets crackin
right from the albums opening track. "Dont Stop The Movement"--a danceable
stepping number with its low, buzzing synth bass, Zapp & Roger-style melody at
the bridge, and a tempo-matched sample of cheerleading protesters is almost
worth the price of admission by itself. But the goodies keep coming--and Paris
is in fine form throughout most of the disc.
Vocally, Paris presentation has
remained virtually unchanged in 20 years: his clean, lispy baritone growl is in
full effect. Although thirty-something diehards may find themselves at times
wishing for tracks that employed the edgy, frantic loops that were the hallmark
of early Afro-centric rap (restrictive sampling laws and licensing fees have all
but ended this style of beat-making), Paris --- handling all of the production
duties himself --- manages to serve up satisfying helpings of what is basically
mid-tempo, updated and refurbished West Coast g-funk.
But purists shouldnt
fret his trademark ominous soundscapes make a timely return on several cuts,
such as "Rebel Without a Pause", “Blap That Ass Up”, and the albums title track.
On "Winter in America" Paris and Public Enemy front man Chuck D give a verbal
lashing to buffooning rappers and the media executives who pump and dump
them--"Just coons on the tube, jiggaboos and pimps/ act a motherfuckin fool
while labels makin a mint." Police brutality is dealt with on "So What?", as
weary ghetto communities rise up to even the score. "Get Fired Up" is a shot
across the bow to Paris silly bling-bling colleagues rapping about tired
contemporary themes.
While the blue-print for any self-respecting Black Power
hip-hop obligates you to sprinkle in a few well-placed Farrakhan snippets, the
2008 version of this technique would substitute fiery segments of Reverend
Jeremiah Wrights vitriolic "Goddamn America" speech. "Silence of the Lambs"
receives exactly this treatment--and to great effect. The foreboding, melancholy
funk/rock backdrop enhances Wrights brilliant monologue with a grave and
chilling relevance.
The set concludes with a dynamic remix of "Dont Stop the
Movement". It features the master funk-a-teer himself, George Clinton and a
surprising saxophone solo (whens the last time you heard live sax on a rap
record!?). The only quibble is that this remix begs for a new arrangement: you
have to sit through the original mix in its entirety before it reveals the newly
added elements.
Co-signing on much of the CD is the talented rapper/radio
host T-K.A.S.H. Hes used heavily across the albums choruses and backgrounds
sounding very similar to Paris, he is effective most of the time--albeit a bit
overused. What might have worked better in some spots is the sorely missed
cutting and scratching from the breaks of Paris early releases (next time, call
The Coups always dope DJ Pam the Funkstress).
Its really a predictable
commentary on our state of affairs that Paris topics of discussion have not
changed much since his debut nearly two decades back. But that time has given
him a wiser, reflective take on this material. Like his late eighties comrades
who are still in the game, such as Chuck D and Ice Cube, Paris is now squarely
in the "grown-ass man" camp--digging deeper for his lyrical tirades and giving
insight on the ills of society that only comes from time spent living in it.
Acid Reflex is a cerebral album that grows on you--revealing little nuggets here
and there that you missed the first few times around (like quick jabs to Dick
Cheney and the Federal Reserve). In this conflicting era of Americas
history-making election on one hand, and unprecedented uncertainty on the other,
the Black Panther of Rap and his Acid Reflex may be the last bastion for Hip Hop
that tells it like it t-i-is.
Related Products
Rebirth of A Nation--Public Enemy/Paris Sonic Jihad--Paris Pick A Bigger Weapon--The Coup Explore More Great Tower Sales & Specials
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![Before I Self-Destruct (EXPLICIT) [12/9] (CD) ~ 50 Cent (Artist) Cover Art](http://i43.tower.com/images/ss112923633/before-i-self-destruct-50-cent-cd-cover-art.jpg)
|
