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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

OCEAN- THE ILLUSTRIOUS: I AM NOT A RAPPER III (ALBUM REVIEW)


Being the first Ocean album I have yet to hear, I’m late.  Ocean has some serious skills.  The first three joints, on The Illustrious: I AM NOT A RAPPER VOL. III, are brilliant (The Introduction, Playing For Keeps, May Day).  If a music listener is looking for a range of content throughout an album, Ocean has it from beginning to end.  The production is super clean.  The record is a great representation of both The Illustrious Few and Ocean.  There is something on this album for everybody (for those who appreciate Hip Hop- which I am confused how anyone couldn’t as there is a Hip Hop musical element to practically all music but that is a whole different can of worms). I really did not expect this album to be arranged so well (shame on me for knowing how well respected Ocean is within the local scene and for knowing how professional The Illustrious Few are through previous offerings).   

On The Introduction, Ocean comes out swinging with bars and a flow over such a simple yet smooth and clean instrumental that reminded me of something that should have been on The American Gangster Soundtrack.  I said I’ve been sleeping but it’s the music industry that’s asleep on so many independent artists with Ocean being one of those.
 
Playing For Keeps has such a rawness to the beat it reminded me of the rawness of Cuttin’ Headz (ODB, RZA). Even though the two sound nothing alike musically or lyrically, they both have an old school feel with a new school twist that stick out on both of their respective albums with Playing For Keeps being the most fresh and up-to-date

On May Day, Ocean flow on this cut brings another dimension of his artistic versatility which is present throughout the album.  The music production is incredible throughout the album with it changes of pace but Ocean as an artist displays his mastery of his craft through his ability to flow with all of the music.  If you research the history of May Day, you will find it to be filled with murder.  Ocean murders this track.

Don’t think for a second that the album falls off after the first three songs though.

So Illustrious , How you Doin? , Loco , Bitch Niggas , Color Blind , Cold World III , High Life , Miss Communication , Who Turned Off The Lights , Blow , Decleration Of the Illustrious are all great additions to a well planned and executed offering (I enjoyed numbers five through ten and fourteen out of the final eleven cuts the most).  There are a lot of different sounds and flows throughout the rest of the album that really show Ocean’s musical experience and capabilities.  Ocean is another artist for which the sky is truly the limit in regards to his potential success.  After you listen to May Day below, support independent Hip Hop and download this free album at http://ocean85fresh.bandcamp.com/album/the-illustrious or by clicking the album pic above of an artist ready to make serious moves in music.





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