Loop Diggin' Thursdays 08.14.08: The Final Chapter
Posted by Phil Watts, Jr on 08.14.2008
I'm bringing my LDT columns to a close with a look at the reviews I've written, a song from every entry in my personal Top 100 list, and the departure of Isaac Hayes.
This is it…the final chapter of Loop Diggin' Thursdays…
Over the last few weeks, I went over some of my columns, going over the ones that I liked. Now I'm going to talk about all the album reviews that I posted here in this site. I used to do little reviews of Amazon.com (they're buried in there somewhere…), so the moment I got a little comfortable here at 411, I decided to try doing reviews here.
As much as I give these guys grief for some of their "I'M DOING THIS FOR MEEEEE" interviews, they are still one of my favorite groups. One day, I might backtrack and review their first two albums. That is, as soon as I get my Sunday columns situated.
This was when KRS was started to show some signs of hope that maybe--JUST MAYBE--he's capable of a decent album during his otherwise dismal post-Jive years.
Of all the reviews, I have gotten the biggest responses from this one…and most of the responses where NEGATIVE! Not long after I posted it, I've gotten a shitload of e-mails accusing me of not only killing Hip-Hop, but raping her corpse, too. One person, who obviously skimmed through my review, thought that the opening quote that I started the review with was MINE (it was a quote from ?uestlove at the 1994 Source Awards---yes, THAT Source Awards--who sat directly behind Nas during the event. I even included a direct link to ?uest's comments, which this person obviously missed). My review basically pointed out that after Nas' attempts at bad music during the mid-to-late 90's ("You Owe Me", "Money Is My Bitch", "Hate Me Now", the whole FIRM album, etc.), it's hypocritical to see him make a record about how fucked up Hip-Hop is without acknowledging his own role in it. Plus, Nas continues his bad luck at picking beats through most of the album.
After a string of really bad albums with only one or two good songs in it, P & ALC deliver the strongest Mobb-related album in years. However, one thing that kinda ticks me off is their insistence on calling this album a mixtape, despite the lack of cuts, mixing, and blends. To me, to call a strong album like this a 'mixtape' is to shortchange it.
KRS continues down the right path, this time taking former "GAY" DJ Marley Marl along for the ride. KRS is still a long way from making another RETURN OF THE BOOM BAP, and Marley is still a long way from his prime days at Cold Chillin' Records, but it's good to see them both making a decent effort.
I made a big miscalculation here. When I reviewed the deluxe edition, I pretty much spent the most time listening to the added cuts on disc 2 and assumed that disc 1 was going to be the same as the original disc (Madlib remixed "The Red" with another spare Dilla track, while the hidden "Ice" track was CUT from the album.)
FOREVER is nowhere near as good as BE was. Both Com & ‘Ye could've done better. Too bad ‘Ye is too busy to contribute to Com's upcoming project, though.
After giving Kweli a lot of grief a few years back for a string of weak efforts (and his attitude towards anyone who rates his weak efforts anything other than CLASSIC), he finally gives us a strong effort, including a hot lead single from Kwame, and some Pete Rock goodies.
When I saw the "Class Clown" video, I definitely had to put my name on the waiting list. Who woulda thought that I would have to wait 14 years for it to drop. I haven't heard from BucWheed in a minute, though I did hear that St Imey is rolling with Fatlip & Tre these days.
Every producer worth his weight has to have a compilation album, right? 9th comes through, as usual…even though I still wonder why he tried to get his manager to try to rap. By the way, when is the WONDER YEARS album supposed to drop?
I tried to build some anticipation for NY'S FINEST by reviewing all of Pete's compilation albums (and the InI/Deda bundle pack just for the hell of it. I originally wanted to review SURVIVING ELEMENTS (Pete was actually PISSED that these beats got out!), as well as both Pete & CL albums, but I decided not to. Besides, you already know what I would've rated the Pete/CL efforts anyway.
I've gotten a pretty big response from this review, too. And like the responses from Nas' HIP-HOP IS DEAD, most of them were bad. I'm sorry, people, but you cannot honestly tell me that P or anyone involved in this album came at their best. When it comes to unintentional comedy, this album is right there with Tim Dog's PENICILLIN ON WAX.
This was the first time I ever attempted to compare the download version to the official release. I wish they would've been able to release the original version of the mixtape the way they wanted to, but the RIAA was in full force at the time.
I wanted to review the original CUTTING ROOM FLOOR mixtape in anticipation for CUTTING ROOM FLOOR 2, but I've been putting it off for various reasons. I will be getting to it pretty soon.
Another instance where I compared the download to the official release. It's messed up how much this album had been gutted, considering how much people had been anticipating it. Sadly, if it had been released as intended, the RIAA would've been on them hard.
MY TOP 100--REVISITED
Remember my personal top 100 list from a while back? If not, you can check them out right here: Part 1 and Part 2. By the way, in case you're wondering why such-and-such or whats-his-name is or isn't on the list, I suggest you read that long intro in Part 1. That will explain everything.
I am going to end this whole thing by posting links to a video (or a remix to a song) from EACH ALBUM---IN ORDER.
To some, he was that guy that did the SHAFT them. To others, he was that guy that voiced The Chef on South Park. To me, he was proof that the difference between R&B back THEN and R&B right NOW is like the difference between day and night.
When you look at Isaac Hayes and his former creative rival, the Late Great Barry White, you had two big, heavyset baritone composers who were considered SEX SYMBOLS. I know it's impossible for some of you to believe, given today's criteria that all R&B male vocalists must look and sound like a bunch of HOT YOUNG BOYS, but bare with me. These two created some truly great music during the prime of their careers. While it's sad that we lost them both (Barry passed away in 2003), their catalogue speaks for itself.
Isaac was one of the many artists that helped build the house of STAX, one of the greatest soul music labels of all time. He's also given us some incredible soundtracks: TRUCK TURNER, TOUGH GUYS (both of which he starred in), and of course, SHAFT. His contributions to black music and black cinema of the 70's cannot be understated.
By the way, there are people out there who are still mad because he walked out on SOUTH PARK and are getting in comment sections talking about "FUCK HIM, I'm GLAD he's DEAD!" (pep the comment section in the above link if you don‘t believe me). To all of you, I say the following:
GO FUCK YOURSELVES.
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On that joyous note, Loop Diggin' Thursdays comes to a close. But don't worry--I'm not going anywhere. I'm just going to lay low for a while, and then…
To all of the people who dissed Issac Hayes......May you all drown face down in a pool of yellow shit.
See you on Sundays, Phil!!!!
Posted By: Shone Jones (Guest) on August 14, 2008 at 01:45 AM
I'm gonna miss your take on Hip-Hop, Mr. Watts. Always enjoyed the hell out of your stuff and I'm sad to see Loop Diggin' going away, but I can't wait to read the new stuff on Sundays.
Oh, and I have to agree with your sentiment on Isaac Hayes. Anyone ignorant enough to judge him like that based solely on what he did in regards to South Park should follow your advice. With a barbed-wire bat, even.
MM
Posted By: Michael Melchor (Registered) on August 14, 2008 at 01:53 AM
He was a scientologist and a hypocrite. Get over it.
Posted By: Mason G (Guest) on August 14, 2008 at 03:32 AM
"He was a scientologist and a hypocrite. Get over it."
No. YOU get over it.
Not once did I even acknowledge that Scientology shit (I never took Scientology seriously anyway). My respect for Isaac hayes comes solely from his contributions to music.
Posted By: Phil Watts, Jr. (Guest) on August 14, 2008 at 05:34 AM
It's a shame. Some people are so ignorant, they can't even show proper respect for the deceased.
Posted By: Rob (Guest) on August 14, 2008 at 09:01 AM
