So the review you've got comin at you in case you randomly click on threads without reading them first is: "Strange Fruit Project - The Healing". Strange fruit Project consists of 3 members S1/Symbolic One (Rappin, Production) Myth (Rappin) Myone (Rappin). One thing you need to know about this review is that there are 2 versions of this cd a North American Release and Japan Release. Most of the tracks are the same its just the last couple that vary. I have included the tracks from both versions in my review.
Same deal as before track by track. Let's Get It On!
1. Intro
Kinda weird start to the album its crying and wierd eerie music in the back. it sounds kinda cool and as you listen to the album you understand that it goes through the stages of a man's Spiritual Healing hence the title of the album. however for people buying the album and poppin it in the deck for the first time it sounds a little weird. nothin wrong with it other then confusion.
2. Ready Forum
So here we go the first Real track on the album. Symbolic One comes hard on the beat its a quick piano laced beat with some nice additions throughout the track. Lyrically these guys are tight the combination of S1, Myth & Myone are a fierce trio on the mic. However because I've never heard anything solo from any of them I really dont know which one is which meaning for most of this review I will be refering to them as a whole (lyrically). Great track to start things off.
3. You (the only ones)
Illmind sets SFP up with a beautiful beat and a great sample to work the background and the hook depending on how he breaks it. I'm really starting to become a bit of an Illmind mega fan due to beats like these he's really starting to impress me. when listen to this track the beat takes it for me but lyrically this is a very very very tight track the hook is tight and fits perfectly with the beat. Definatley a highlight on the album
4. Under Pressure
S1 is back on production for this track and he does a nice job its a slow rolling beat with a nice tuba or some shit which adds a nice kick to the beat. Lyrically its a nice track but not really a highlight to me its well done and they flow nicely over the beat. It just doesnt do alot for me but I think thats more opinion then any fault of SFP.
5.Good Times
S1 teams up with Roger Blevins on this track to give an almost latin feel to this very up tempo beat. All 3 members rap there ass's off on this track and really flow nicely over such a fast beat. the hook is real nice aswell with a nice sound. Another real nice track on this so far enjoyable album but things are just getting started.
6.Liberation f/ Toby
The foundation comes on for production on this one and this is the first beat I've heard by them. It's a nice slow jam with some nice drums and a simple bassline but overall a nice beat. SFP does a fairly nice job of slowing it down and rollin with the beat although this isnt really there style. It's a nice track with a good hook but SFP are at there best when playing verbal b-ball.
7. Get Live f/ Erykah Badu
HOLY CRAP! Now i don't know how this little group from Waco texas got Ms Badu on their album but i like it and Illmind once again brings some fire on the beat. Erykah as always sounds amazing her vocals just roll out over the beat and everyone just comes together and flows amazingly on this track. Fantastic!
8. Soul Clap
Jake one did the beat for this track and generally I'm not a big fan of his beats although the one he did for El Da Sensai was pretty tight. This one is even better! with some sick horns and a great drum line. SFP rips it up on this track and lyrically I think they are at there best here the hook just goes beautifully and was a great choice for there single!
9. Special F/Thesis
the beat on this track was done by 9th wonder and he gives them a slow beat although they do a much better job of holdin it down really flowin nicely Thesis does a beautiful job on the hook and her vocals add a real nice flavour to the track. Throughout the track the discuss different points in life when they feel "Special".
10. Pinball
Vitamin D provides this beat and its about as close to a gangsta track as SFP will ever get the beat sounds like something out of super mario and its a braggin big talk kinda track. Nothing special but in the flow of the album it fits nicely.
11. Rise F/ Little Brother
Alright now we get to the real heat. Once again Illmind provides a great beat Piano's a nice drum beat and it really goes nice with the flow of the track. all them members do a great job here both rapping and also on some vocals for the hook. Big Pooh sounds great on this track and as usual Phonte brings his "A" game they are both great additions to SFP's sound and most fans of LB will probably like this album. the main concept of the track is just about the rise to the top of the game. Being a big LB fan makes this one of my favorites.
12.Cali Cruisin F/ Deloach & Bavu (NA Retail)
This is a nice track with S1 on the beat. Overall I'm not a big fan of this track but I'm a huge fan of Deloach so its always in the rotation for him alone. The name of the track basically tells you everything you need to know for this track. They spit about Cali and thats that. it sounds good nothing wrong here, just not a favorite of mine.
13 Parachutes F/ Thesis (NA Retail)
Once again S1 handles the production and comes up with a nice beat. For adult contemporary audiences. Thesis sounds good and SFP sounds great but i just can't enjoy this track! thats all i have to say listen to it and dont let me ruin your opinion but I just dont like it.
14 The Plague (JP Retail)
So everyones favorite producer Nicolay comes in for this track. Man this guy can make a nice beat. This track is really really nice its slowed down which as i said doesnt fit SFP all the time but they make it work and the beat helps alot. the song basically touches on the struggles of life in society with religion etc. I Love it i gotta say one of the best tracks on the album!
15 Makin My Way (JP Retail)
Now this is the track that did it for me! M-Phazes of all people comes in with a DIRTY beat i love the piano the drums the sample everything is just great on this beat! Myth, S1, & Myone all kill it on this track the way they use the beat in there rhymes is amazing and the hook is MAD infectious I've got 3 freidns on SFP from this track alone. This track is basically about just doin your thing hustlin rhymin and keep movin. My Favorite track for sure.
16. God Is F/ Darien Brockington & Yahzarah
I have to say this is probably S1's weakest beat on the album its not horrible but has a weird flow to it and the drums dont seem to match although lyrically this track is tight and Yahzarah and Darien Brockington add that amazing soul that only they can put on a track! they discuss God and life and its nice track despite the beat.
*Hidden Track
After The Healing F/ Verbal Seed, K-Otix,Tahiti, Skotch & Kay
S1 again comes up with a strange beat but it works better in this situation then before. Everyone comes strong lyrically but this track doesnt do a whole lot for me although it is well done and im sure many people would really like it.
After sitting and having a really good listen to this album I've found some of the weaknesses in what seemed like a flawless album. Although it is still a Fantastic release and one definatley worth checking out. The high points on this album are Stunning to say the least and the lows are still better then the inconsistencies found on other albums. I really dont have any complaints with SFP's album there are just some tracks that are better then others and im sure different listeners will appreciate different tracks. The production is farely solid through the bulk of the album and a few tracks are Phenominally produced. Lyrically this album is 100% sound they flow beautifully and show off some great wordplay and teamwork on the mic. The collaborations are all wisely chosin and really add to the variety of the album. The overall flow of the album is great and makes a nice listen all the way through. personally i feel the Japan retail is the superior product but I'd suggest everyone getting both versions just to get a taste of all the tracks.
Overall 8.1/10
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