Search - 3582 :: Living Soul

Hip Hop's Soul Is Alive!

Cuzz | Where Real Music Lives | 02/02/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In today's hip-hop world there is several different sounds that come out there is the pop production of someone like Irv Gotti, the synthesized funk base that someone like Dr. Dre would use, the cut and past flury of samples of someone like RJD2, dark brooding sound scapes like those provided the likes of Stoupe from Jedi Mind Tricks, or the experimental murky mush drudged out by E-LP and cohorts, but one thing has been missing is real soul. 3582 brings you just that. Fat Jon of Five Deez and J. Rawls of Lone Cats bring a jazzy soulful album full of warm vibes in grand Wanna Battle Crew fashion. While incorporating solid cuts, fluid loops, pounding drums and fun musical interludes to make a very lush record. On the rapping wise they don't talk about being gangstas, thugs, street tuffs or pimps, nor do they get overly preachy. They deliver positive thoughts without being imposing and deal with issues of the average man no matter what walk of life making it a very accessible record. Although Fat Jon is more reputed on the mic but Rawls steps up to the challenge very well providing smooth vocals for the musical backdrops. Now I'll get into the songs...No Need To Run (82 Mix) ~ Kool song with a good message. The beat by J.Rawls is based around a low organ loop, with some really bumping percussion, along with some sampled vocals shouting every once in awhile. Fat Jon opens the song with a solid verse and then Rawls come sin with a respectable verse but my favourite is FJ's last verse where there are a lot of clever lines. The topic of the song deals with running away from the problems in your life thinking your fixing them but really the problems are still there. Add all that in with a very infectious hook and you have your self quite the song (here is the hook):"/wherever you go your hiding from yourself/
why can't you see breaking camp as a cry for help?/
nobody's mad if you're sad and you need to scream/
when you're running, what do you think you're going to find?/
A change in your life, peace of mind/
putting your soul on the table that you gamble on/
is what happens when you run trying to right the wrongs/"What Could Be ~ More of a solemn track. Another great beat from J.Rawls. Now from the great loops in the production, which on this one is soft and spacey keys, I love the drum programming it's always so head nodding. This is one of the more downbeat tracks on the album it deals with unrealized dreams, and the "what-if's" of the past that we all go over in our heads in a self torturous motion, with Fat Jon handling the emceeing duties for the whole song very nicely.The Living Soul ~ getting more upbeat on this track. J.Rawls at the boards making this very slow tempo track, with very simple going high then low key, with brushlike percussion and some other nice elements thrown in. Fat Jon goes solo again sort of with a reminiscing type attitude sort of telling where they come from and how they got there, whimsical ish folks!Yesterday (35 Mix) ~ Fat Jon handles both the production & the verbal end on this joint. Adding heavy bass, chimey loop and scratching to make this a more raw sound than much of Rawls production along with a kool vocal sample saying "memories of yesterday" at certain spots. Fat Jon comes correct on the microphone once again telling us to seize the moment because tomorrow it will be gone.All in all a superb album. You won't find anything too mind blowing but this is just a side project Ep for both of them. The beats are always tight and the lyrics are always insightful so there is never a whack moment on the album. Out of all the soulless music that exists in the hip hop world, Fat Jon & J. Rawls shows us that the soul lives with them. 3 stars worth your money! Peace, love & soul."

A PERFECT EP filled with intelligent soul and mellow vibes.

Todd E. Jones | Edison, NJ USA | 05/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before this EP, I never heard the LONE CATALYSTS or 5 DEEZ. This EP blew my mind!!! Now, I am a big fan of both LONE CATALYSTS, J RAWLs and 5 DEEZ and FAT JON. 3582 THE LIVING SOUL is a beautiful EP!!! The lyrics are very astute and the beats are mellow and soulful. SURE, this is concious BACKPACKER rap but it's much more intelligent.... It is a FEEL GOOD hiphop EP!!! The lyrics are extremely inspiring and intelligent. My favorite songs are "WHAT COULD BE", "YESTERDAY" and "EMPTY". the song "No Where To Run" is also incredible. J RAWLS even raps a bit on the EP too!! This is a modern hip-hop classic!!! Do not miss this!!!"