Being the Black Milk aficionados that we are; the question to his latest instrumental EP is very simple indeed….
It’s Soul Fool!!!!
Being a Black Milk fan can be hard at times because, you want everyone to be able to explore their musical boundaries and interests, but let’s not get it twisted; Black Milk is no Flying Lotus. Waaay back in day [2005] we were drawn to Black Milk’s seemingly effortless production style chalk full of drums, guitar licks perfectly looped samples. This instrumental album kind of embodies his work since then – he’s said in his verses and interviews how he likes to changes things up – but if you’re good at something, why stunt it?
…this ill ass video from Black Milk featuring Royce da 5’9″. Aside from “Try”, “Losing Out” is my favorite joint off the Tronic Album. If you haven’t copped it, why are you sleeping?
Directed by: Anthony Garth
So it took me a awhile to piece together this post for Black Milk”s Tronic. It was released last Tuesday [10/28/08] to mixed reviews. All generally read the same: “it’s an okay album, but not Black Milk’s best” or “It’s a great album, but it’s been done before”. I say fuck that bullshit. Contrary to popular belief or Popular Demand, Black Milk is an artist.. And when you’re an artist you have to deal with creative integrity vs. Popular Demand. Tronic is one of those albums that challenges you as a listener to go beyond your comfort level of sound.
Black Milk – Bounce
On the opening track “Long Story Short”, Black Milk gives you a historical run down of his time in the game up until now. it starts off with somber piano notes that manifests into a hard drum pattern highlighted with horns provided by fellow Detroit artist Dwele. With the majority of the album containing live instrumentation, it’s interesting to see how they counteract with the album’s electronic sound; songs like “Give The Drummer Some”, “Without U”, “Hold It Down”, “Hell Yeah” and “Tronic Summer ” feature heavy electronic synths that succeed in maintaining their soul–[think NERD without all of the wannabe rock riffs.]
Black Milk – Losing Out ft. Royce Da 5’9″
On songs like “Reppin for You” and “Bond 4 Life”, fans will see a shift in Black Milk’s presence on tracks by coming to the forefront vocally and lyrically while using light production. They’re both semi-mainstream friendly, but they still don’t lose that underground edge. Production wise, Black Milk is a beast, but his skill with the pen has always been criticized. [I'm a fan of his double talk flow]. On this album it seems as if he’s concentrated more on content and came up with solid concepts and was able to hold his own along side featured guests Royce Da 5’9″, Pharaoh Monch and Sean Price [LORD JANSPORT! lol] All and all, Tronic is an album that challenges us as listeners, and Black Milk as a producer. He took a chance with a different sound and went beyond his trademark sample heavy beats. He still came out with a bangin ass record.
Duck Down Records, have been coming with that fire this fourth quarter and their latest addition to the team, Ruste Juxx, has not let them down. Executive Produced by Sean Price, his protege, Ruste Juxx has been making a name for himself, on wax and on these internet streets. His appearances on Boot Camp Clik’s Casualties of War, Sean Price’s Monkey Barz and Jesus Price Superstar, plus touring the states and Europe on the Duck Down Roster have proved Ruste Juxx can hold a mic along side Hip Hop Royalty, but could he handle an album on his own?
Yes.
Ruste Juxx – System On Blast ft. Reek [produced by PF Cuttin ]
His debut album Indestructible starts off with classic BROOKLYN Duck Down style anthems for the streets [Wipe Off Ya Smile, Grave Digga, Morgue Truck, System On Blast] with Production from PF Cuttin, Masse Salazar and Black Milk. Lyrically Ruste Juxx style is aggressive with less concentration on one-liners, more so on delivery and flow. It works for him. on the latter half of the album, his ability to story tell shines on more soulful tracks [Love Is Worth Waiting For]. Production by Blastah Beatz and DJ Large bring this out of him. Guest appearances are minimal and include, Reek, Blaze, L.A.W.Lil Vic and Jahdan.
The track that stood out to me was Blaze My Fire, a somber eulogy in memory of his sister Blaze who was also a rapper. Ruste Juxx – Blaze My Fire [produced by DJ Large]
Last year, Producer/Rapper Black Milk released arguably one of the best Hip Hop albums of all 2007 [and beyond?]. Popular Demand was my personal soundtrack since it’s been released and since then I’ve been able to get my Black Milk production fix on his various joints on various mixtapes and albums. But he’s got a new album!!!!!
