REVIEW/MIXTAPE: Phil Nash - Phil of the Future Pt. 2

REVIEW: “Phil of the Future Vol. 2” is the name of the mixtape, but it's evident that Phil Nash is well aware of the legacy of classic hip hop from the early ’90s – perhaps not all too surprising given the fact that he’s DJ Jazzy Jeff’s protégé. Throughout the project, Nash provides countless bangers, true to hip hop form and impressively raw lyricism. Noticeable, as well, is the overall feel to the project, as he seamlessly transfers from song to song, all the while maintaining an incredible melodic balance of originality, precision, and vision.

His latest mixtape includes several cuts heavily influenced by the classic New York Tribe vibe. For example, “I Smell Smoke” (produced by Heartbeat the Producer) channels a soulful sample of Dionne Warwick’s “Walk on By” into a heart-wrenched testimony of struggle and inequality. “Heat Stop Working”, “Much More”, and “Gonna Want Me Back” offer a nostalgic feeling to the vintage days, a testament to the reason why NY became the Mecca of hip hop, as Detroit’s Nash flows with ease over the catchy jazzy trumpets. Equally impressive is his homage to the Queensbridge veteran Nas over the tracks “Nasty Nash” and “Nash is Like”, backed by the instantly-recognizable Premo beats. Lest we forget to recognize those who have paved the way, let’s point out the sampling of Big Daddy Kane’s “Ain’t No Half Steppin’” on Nash’s “Halfsteppin’”, a track full of sincere ambition and unbridled yet not-over-the-top egoism.

Aside from the lyrics, the production on this project is impeccable, full of classic yet classy sampling and smooth drum overlay. Easily, the most notable producer on the mixtape is the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff who offers his services on two tracks. There are also several credible features with the VA MC Skillz, Sim City, and Phene, among others. However, don’t get it twisted: while the features are heavy and the production solid, Nash is not left in the shadows, as he commands every track with his presence and embeds each with his own unique style.

His goal is achieve mixtape of the year (and no doubt more!), and honestly the ambitious vision is not far-fetched. He is one who has much to offer and is getting only better. I have witnessed his steady progression ever since his first mixtape and several feature songs, most notably “Uptown Anthem” with Washington, DC artist “Marky” (Studio 43 / SRC / Universal Records) off the VH1 Honor Roll mixtape, which was how I first discovered him. In conclusion, with his dope flow and respect and knowledge of hip hop history, Phil Nash has a clear lane to make some heavy moves in the future. Perhaps that is why we know him as . . . Phil of the Future.

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Phil Nash - Phil of the Future Pt. 2

Review: Jade - It's My Heart, Cookie EP

Every time that I go to check out the GFC site, I always saw the image of the lovely songstress Jade, but I never took my time out to listen. I was a fool…because when I finally took the opportunity to sit back and listen, I was blown away. This girl has an amazing powerful, yet sweet voice that soothes any track.

Her EP “It’s My Heart, Cookie” is only a snippet of greatness that should come from this young singer once her album is released. Jade is an artist that knows her craft, as she graduated from the renowned La Guardia High School for Performing Arts majoring in vocals. She is determined to make it in this industry, as she even parted from Pharrell’s Star Trak label after frustration with being “a benchwarmer.”

Jade has lyrics for days and a definite message that she wants to spread to the public. “It’s My Heart, Cookie” is a perfect example of this message as her songs have a unique sound with universal human sentiments about love that are easily received. Her lyrics are amazing as well. You can tell by simply listening to the project that there was a lot of time a dedication behind it. It is very rare for me to come across music that demands me to stop what I am doing to carefully pay attention to the words the artist is spewing….and Jade certainly makes me listen.

The standout track is easily “Beautiful Problems” produced by Chuck Inglish of The Cool Kids. The song just pours with human emotion. Many feelings in this world are certainly a paradox. Think about it, how can a problem be beautiful? Just listen to the song and her smooth vocals will help you understand. Currently, this artist resides in New York performing at locations such as BB Kings, SOB’s, the Knitting Factory, Europa, Club Element, among other places.

I truly hope to see Jade do big things in this industry, because we certainly need more quality soulful acts. She will fit perfectly among the likes of artists such as Alicia Keys, Melanie Fiona, Lily Allen, and yet she will still stand apart as her songwriting is unlike any other act out right now. For more information on Jade, please check her myspace (www.myspace.com/jadeismusic ) and be sure to get her EP, “It’s My Heart, Cookie.”

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Jade - It's My Heart, Cookie EP

Album: Tabi Bonney - Dope

In case you're not familiar with the DMV area, Tabiabuè Bonney aka Tabi Bonney is the truth! Seriously, if you even have one scintilla of doubt, you should check out his latest project - Dope, which recently dropped. And I don't want to hear how you have no money because of the economy; the simple fact of the matter is the album is $5.99. Buy it from Amazon, iTunes, or any local store, and you'll soon realize how it was so worth it.

Read this review of the album. The first line of the review is so true: "Trying to single out the best song from Tabi Bonney's sophomore album, "Dope," is like trying to pick the coldest ice cube in the tray."

Pharrell Needs N.E.R.D

So I was listening to “Seeing Sounds” in my car while driving around 1:30 am, the song “Happy” was on and I thought, “Damn, Pharrell needs N.E.R.D. just as much as N.E.R.D. needs Pharrell.” Personally I liked “In My Mind”, I’m not going to say it was great or groundbreaking or whatever, but I enjoyed it. However, the CD received mad criticisms and it just was not a big hit as its release came and faded, despite the dope rerecording with Questlove from The Roots. I believe the standout tracks from that CD were definitely “Young Girl/ I Really Like You Girl”, “Number One”, and “That Girl.” However, Pharrell’s solo debut seriously lacked something….Chad Hugo’s musical touch. If you listened to “In Search of…” and “Fly or Die”, “In My Mind” would probably catch you off guard.

Pharrell let go out of his eclectic influences; as it was more of a Hip Hop/R&B sound and there was no alternative rock sound on the album whatsoever. Furthermore, Pharrell depended on collaborations from Jay-z, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, Slim Thug, Charlie Wilson, and Gwen Stefani (questionable choice) as if he knew that the album was not going to be enough with just himself on the tracks. Don’t get me wrong, I am not killing this album, I really enjoyed it…I’m just saying in retrospect there should have been more coming out of Mr. Williams.

Now, refer to the trilogy of N.E.R.D. releases, not so many collaborations and the sound is totally different. Pharrell is a cat that is mad creative and innovative, however on his solo album the creativity was definitely not there, but there was a void in originality on the album. I remember the first time I heard “In Search Of…”, I got the European Version of the album before the joint released in the States and I was just blown away from the sound of “Lapdance”, “Run to the Sun”, “Provider”, and pretty much the whole album.

“Seeing Sounds” brings back Shay and Chad Hugo, and Pharrell is revived with a fresh influential sound. Pharrell needs N.E.R.D., to further explain this point look at the songwriting on the album. Pharrell does pretty much all of the songwriting for the album, but for three of what I think are the better tracks on the album, “Everyone Nose”, “Anti-Matter”, and “Love Bomb” Chad had a helping hand. The unity between these three dudes balances the influences of each of them, as you can clearly hear the fusion between Hip-Hop, R&B/Soul, Rock, and that imaginative Neptunes sound.

Everything about this album is amazing, and my favorite part about it is the concept, I can’t think of a better way to start off the album as N.E.R.D. did with the intro. However….there is always a however, to be honest, one thing that annoys me about the album is that you do not hear any of Kanye or Lupe on it, but I know that is just my personal wanting to hear more of what that trio can do. This is a N.E.R.D. album, not C.R.S. though it would have been tight to have at least a glimpse of what they can do aside from the banger “Everyone Nose” Remix. So that is an unfair criticism, but I mean come on though; I know you all would have at least liked to hear Pusha T or Malice start out a verse on the track with that memorable, “Eghck!” Back to my point, I’m glad N.E.R.D. got to work again after a brief hiatus as they put out some quality work. Having heard the album spin around probably a hundred times now I give it my stamp of approval. It’s an Ill Vibe, give it 5 stars.

Album Review of New Roots Album "Rising Down"

Check out the review here. Oh yeah, our dude Wale is featured on the album!