Search - Crown City Rockers (Mission) :: Earth Tones

Most positive album of the year!

DukeOfEarl | Phoenix, AZ United States | 12/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike what the last reviewer says, you do not need a bong full of weed to enjoy this music. In fact, I don't recommend ever needing to smoke it in the first place, and I don't think Rashaan Ahmad would approve of it either. This album is very, very nice and TRULY a breath of fresh ass air. This is not just a Hiphop group, this is a band. These members are not even of the same race and gender. Interesting...this albums displays how Hiphop has diversified and is still growing stronger.

The CCR's are comprised of lead MC Rashaan Ahmad(who is African-American in case you cared), an Asian female on the keys, and three white guys on their respective instruments. Intriguing indeed! I just figured out that this is their second album, the first was released under the name "Mission." I say that this is the most positive album of the year because it's all about enjoying yourself, enjoying life, and finding yourself. Even the two battle-rap songs("Simple" and "No Sense") come off as positive and done with good intentions. Rashaan Ahmad may not have the most captivating flow and voice in the industry, but his lyrics are good-natured and he basically never cusses. This dude sure displays much talent throughout the album.

The separate collaborations with two of the top MC's from California, Gift of Gab and Zion, on the tracks "Fortitude" and "Without Love," respectively, are shining moments on the album. Rashaan does a commendable job keeping up with the untouchable Gift of Gab, but his track with Zion(from Zion I) comes out to be the real classic. "Without Love" is socially conscious and very soulful, truly memorable. "Sidestep" might be Rashaan's best track here by himself. You may not like the chorus(sung by Destani Wolf) at first, but upon further listen it adds an impeccable amount of soul to Rashaan's satisfying two verses. "10:53" is a slower, jazzy track where Rashaan is at his introspective and conscious best, one of the best off this album. The following one, "No Sense," may seem out of place with the rest of album with its battle rhymes, but a couple extra listens and it is still a solid song.

"Another Day" is the first song, a very satisfying one to start it all off. "Balance" was the other collab, besides the two I mentioned, with some cat named Scarub and this is an excellent track. They trade verses, and honestly Rashaan holds his own but is outdone by Scarub. "B-Boy" is an always-welcome ode to the breakers and beginnings of Hiphop, and has a surreal and memorable beat. "Fate" was the only 'love' song off "Earth Tones," and it's okay, but not a standout. "Culture" I thought could have been the ultimate song here, if it were longer. It's just one extended verse where Rashaan depicts the actual Hiphop Kulture and how it's growing and influencing. The title track was cool, but just one verse from Rashaan and then music to round it out. "Something pt. 3" has a unique, almost too loud beat, but still comes out pretty decent.

The band behind Rashaan Ahmad is excellent throughout, but they get some chances to showcase their skills on a couple interludes, the bonus track, and at the end of tracks like "Sidestep," "Fate," and the title cut. They throw in quite a bit of jazz, and you need to get this album now if you loved the jazz-rap movement back in the early-90's! Check out the five +1/2 minute jam session with sax player David Boyce(doing his best Coltrane impersonation) on "D Minor Nine," an excellent addition to this album. The band keeps it mostly mellow throughout the cd, but shows they can kick up the intensity on jams like "Heat"(where Rashaan actually tells a couple stories) and "Fortitude." Rashaan never ruins their music by talking materialistic nonsense, cursing, bragging, or getting too esoteric. A talented band with a capable, well-studied MC...yes it is quite a combo! They demonstrate progression within Hiphop, which we all had already given up on. One of the top 5 Hiphop albums of 2004 in my book. Hiphop's future and the Crown City Rockers' future is very bright, and this album proves it!"

Crown City on New Radio Station www.iM4radio.com

Cleveland | Washington DC | 10/03/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I heard this cd by accident at a local record store in Rockville, MD and I simply flipped out off of the musical arrangment and lyrical dexterity that the Crown City Rockers exude. Why does good music never get the exposure it so deserves on FM Radio? I probably would have never witnessed these guys if I did not stumble upon them by mistake. If you like groups such as Crown City Rockers, Greyboy, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, Goapele and so forth then check out the Ultimate Radio Station www.iM4radio.com "iNfinite gRoove" with DJ Cleveland 2-4pm (est) M-F. It's Free! Enjoy Yourself."

The Best Hip-Hop Album of 2004?

Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 12/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Crown City Rockers are perhaps one of the finest new school groups making hip-hop today. I first took notice of this group from lead emcee Raashan Ahmad's debut LP "The Push" - one of my favorites from '08. He's got a smooth, alluring flow with excellent cadence. Above all, he excels in the songwriting department, and brings plenty of freshness to the table that's sorely missing today. Even more striking, the sound they create is massive, thanks to the help of a superb live band. The players include Kat Ouano (Keys), Max MacVeety (Drums), Headnodic (Bass/Production), & Woodstock (MPC/Production) - among other studio musicians, vocalists, and engineers.



The feel of the album is impeccably jazzy and smooth, which follows the concept of "Earthtones" being a very natural, and organic sound. If you are a fan of jazz and/or jazz flavored hip-hop, this is a must buy. Also, it should be noted that the guest spots here capture the artists at their finest. Scarub fluidly spits his bars on "Balance" with sheer speed. Speaking of speed, Gift Of Gab completely murders his spot on "Fortitude". Zion brings the heat on "Without Love" as well. The real star on the mic is Raashan, as he is never outshined on the whole. My favorite cut here is the gorgeous "Sidestep" featuring Destani Wolf - who classes this track up to the max. My second favorite would have to be "B-Boy" - a complete banger with a superb chanted chorus. Other favorites would be "Culture" featuring Luq, and the charming "Simple". Though nearly the entire album is hip-hop based, "D Minor Nine" featuring the extraordinary David Boyce on saxophone is simply a breathtaking instrumental, and definitely one of my favorite cuts on the album. All in all, not a single skip track has revealed itself to me after several, several listens.



What more can be said about this group? You get the whole package here - excellent lyricism, exemplary songwriting, original compositions, incredible musicianship, and a concept drenched in bonafide dopeness. Needless to say, I highly recommend this all-to-often ignored gem."