Another Heist, another gem of an album from the unsung Campe
The Homey | Philadelphia | 10/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you're read my reviews for "Let's Do It Again" and "Black Hollywood", you already know I'm an avid Camp Lo virtuoso. From their debut "Uptown Saturday Night", the Campers have continued to sprinkle vividly abstract pictures of '70 blaxploitation-esque life and the good times thereof with superb lyrics and top-notch beats. I'm glad to say that AH, also being their 4th official album minus the singles/mixtapes over the 14 year span, lives up truly to USN. This is in no way disregarding their previous efforts, but AH holds true in the soul-sounding orchestrated assembly and white-hot lyricism that made 'em famous in the first place:
"Another Heist" - Perfect banger to start the album off, but if you're a fan like me, this song was around on the 'net for a good minute. Ski (the producer, who was also a member of Original Flava back in yesteryear), joins in with a nice verse towards the end. Like "Krystal Karrington" from USN and "Gotcha" from LDIA, the dark, gritty track discusses the lavish life of gems, heisting and stick-ups...
"Uptown" - Loud horns parade quite nicely on this song, with a classic boom-bap clap mixed in as the Lo go from uptown to downtown...hey, are you running yet???
"Satin Amnesia" - The love song of the album. Reminds me of a smoothed-out version "I Could Careless?" from their Ft. Apache mixtape, incorporated with a "Coolie High", relaxed feel...
"Get 'Em Lo" - I believe this was a Japanese exclusive B-side song from "Stone and Rob", which was released months before. Not too big on this track, but the Lo flows great and maybe this one has to grow on me...
"Boogie Nights" - Wow! They come aggressively hard on this track! Nice sample, nice dance track...man, wish they could have collaborated with Jay-Z on this jam...
"Son Of A" - Amid a short track, they sum it up well as they pay homage to the greats of Black music legends and nostalgia...
"Good Green" - The previous track flows into this one without breaking a sweat. If you're familiar with their Ft. Apache mixtape, this song shouldn't be new to you. Get it by the ounces, and get tired when you're counting...
"Beautiful People" - One of my favorite tracks! The singing, the rhythm, the horn solo...OMG, just beautiful! Reminds me of an OutKast song and, once again, the Southern Duo would've be awesome if featured on an extended version of this song...
"Bionic" - Another short track, but direct and to-the-point. Everything from "The Six Million Dollar Man" intro sample to the sound effects laced with the MF-Doom-like music fits impeccably...
"Black Connect 3" - ...and the story continues flawlessly where B.C. 2 left off from LDIA. Don't wanna give away the ending, but it sounds like our crooks finally made it. Or could there be a B.C. 4 in the future??? Hmmm...
"Love It Then" - Ski deserves accolades for this one! The use of Stevie Wonder's "Send One Your Love" intertwined in the words of Lo's sex paradise. Another track that was circulating on the 'net for a while (and even on their MySpace page once) before making it to wax...
"Uptown (Remix) - DeBarge's "Time Will Reveal" holds the bulk of the sample on this final track. Nice to see a remix and, in a way, duplicates the effort of USN (which had two versions of "Sparkle")...
This music industry is brutal; lotta of 1-hit wonders, radio and video garbage polluting the sound and airwaves, and too many artists to count who have yet to reach the apex of super-stardom. Thankfully, with the internet especially, true and dedicated fans can still support GOOD MUSIC, no matter the sales or street-cred. The Lo, after 14 years in the biz, continue to never sell themselves short and provide what they do best: unique lyrics, incredible flows, '70's lifestyles and exquisite sounds...
Another Heist, in my opinion, would contend without a doubt as being RAP DUO ALBUM OF THE YEAR!
LIVE ON CAMP LO! LIVE ON!
"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1