OVERALL RATING:
After a hiatus which including the subtraction of their producer and main driving force, 9th Wonder, we the resurgence of North Carolina’s finest. Song for song the duo of Phonte and Big Pooh bring a compilation of fluidly placed songs that preach of the hardships of hip-hop through the eyes of two underrated emcee’s. The majority of the ABB Records release is produced by Jersey City native Illmind with heavyweight producers Mr. Porter, from D12, and DJ Hi-Tek getting production credits. The first song sets the mood as a beautiful piano solo is interrupt abruptly by white static and a voice stating “Oh we back on..” followed by an almost rock feeling sample. The first track titled “Sirens”, produced by Illmind, is one of the most introspective songs within the album. Carlitta Durand brings a soulful prowess to the hook to the song where the basic concept is striking against what hip-hop has transformed to be. We see the next song, “Can’t Win for Losing”, as an ode to the struggles of being an emcee where the “whole world is against you” concept is perfected. Quite possibly the oddest combination on the entire album is “Breakin My Heart” where Lil’ Wayne is featured upon the sole 9th Wonder production. The song boasts Wayne on the hook as they try to bring trust in relationships to the forefront as a repeating sample of “Don’t go breaking my heart” laces the background.
The next selection is a horn saturated track called “Good Clothes”, obviously talking about textile woes in the hood, where finding the freshest gear is essential. Overall the funniest track on the entire album is “After the Party” where Carlitta Durand again laces the hook and a hilarious Dave Chappelle sampled skit plays in the intro. The next two tracks are two obviously standout since they are the only two “brand name” production that we see upon the album. The ode to the struggle continues on Mr.Porter masterpiece “ExtraHard” and Dion is again used as a quintessential part to Hi-Tek’s “Step It Up”. Dion becomes a standout on this track where all 3 minutes and 30 seconds he help Phonte and Big Pooh orchestrate how females make us all “step our game”.
The next track is structurally put together beautifully, “Two Step Blues” featuring Darien Brockington produced by Nottz, it seems that Little Brother continues to show the world how they party regardless of stereotypical rap artists are supposed to throw down. The horn solo a minute thirty seconds in is laid almost flawlessly, thus my reasoning for giving this one the structural perfection nod to Nottz. We see Illmind’s depth on “That ain’t Love” featuring Jozeemo. Dreams is produced by Rashid Hadee and is reminiscent of early Little Brother. Lastly, concluded by Zo’s constructed “When Everything is New” shows two reflective artists talking directly to the fans and concludes this LP with melodic synth laced rhythms.
Overall a great record is produced despite the over usage of the atypical “struggle” we see LB step up from a trio to a dynamic duo, a true hip hop album.
