Top Qualified f/ Blackalicious, Lyrics Born & Lateef
Built To Last
Haiku D'Etat brings together three of the L.A. underground's most notable talents: Aceyalone and Mikah 9 (of the Freestyle Fellowship) and Abstract Rude (of Abstract Tribe Unique). They last collaborated on their 1999 debu... more »t, but the intervening five years haven't diminished their chemistry. Throughout their careers, these lyricists have drawn frequent comparisons to jazz artists as their wordplay and rhyme flows resemble a kind of verbal bebop. This sophomore effort finds them innovating further still. On "Mike, Aaron and Eddie" they stutter out words and phrases with a mechanical proficiency that's both organically effortless yet unnaturally precise. "Transitions and Eras" takes the jazz motif to its most literal as the three spin out a tangle of rhymes while Fat Jack keeps the beat in the pocket through his bass lines, rim taps, and tinkling piano. Less heady, but no less enjoyable, are the post-relationship analysis "All Good Things" and braggadocio fest "Top Qualified," featuring Quannum's Lyrics Born, Gift of Gab, and Lateef. Inspiringly creative and impressively virtuoso, Coup De Theatre is easily as strong, if not better, than anything Acey, Ab, or Mikah have done individually since they last worked together, and hopefully it won't be another half-decade until they collaborate again. --Oliver Wang« less
Haiku D'Etat brings together three of the L.A. underground's most notable talents: Aceyalone and Mikah 9 (of the Freestyle Fellowship) and Abstract Rude (of Abstract Tribe Unique). They last collaborated on their 1999 debut, but the intervening five years haven't diminished their chemistry. Throughout their careers, these lyricists have drawn frequent comparisons to jazz artists as their wordplay and rhyme flows resemble a kind of verbal bebop. This sophomore effort finds them innovating further still. On "Mike, Aaron and Eddie" they stutter out words and phrases with a mechanical proficiency that's both organically effortless yet unnaturally precise. "Transitions and Eras" takes the jazz motif to its most literal as the three spin out a tangle of rhymes while Fat Jack keeps the beat in the pocket through his bass lines, rim taps, and tinkling piano. Less heady, but no less enjoyable, are the post-relationship analysis "All Good Things" and braggadocio fest "Top Qualified," featuring Quannum's Lyrics Born, Gift of Gab, and Lateef. Inspiringly creative and impressively virtuoso, Coup De Theatre is easily as strong, if not better, than anything Acey, Ab, or Mikah have done individually since they last worked together, and hopefully it won't be another half-decade until they collaborate again. --Oliver Wang
"This is a dope album, get it. If you don't have the first Haiku album, get that first, it just got re-released with extra tracks.
This album has some smokin' styles & slick production by Fat Jack. It doesn't quite have that jazzy style of the first album, unfortunately. I wish they could've gotten Adrian Burley to produce again. Busdriver cameos on 2 tracks (for some reason he's not listed on "Coup de Theatre") & Quannum fans have to hear "Top Qualified" with Gift of Gab, Lyrics Born & Lateef going head to head with Mike, Aaron & Eddie. For my money, I think Mikah 9 & Gift of Gab came out on top.
Some of their flows -- especially Mikah 9 on "Kats" and "Top Qualified" -- are reminiscent of the golden era of the early 90s. "Mike Aaron & Eddie" is just sick; "Transitions & Eras" is cool; "All Good Things" is a sweet sad song about how "All good things never last." There's also a "hidden" 13th track where they're all rapping in haikus, 5-7-5 syllable count... pretty slick.
But what makes this CD really worth buying is the DVD... with concert footage of "Mike Aaron & Eddie" & "Innercity Boundaries"... Aceyalone doing "Rapper Rappers Rappers" a capella in '98... candid footage of Haiku smokin' & drinkin'... videos for Acey's "Moonlit Skies," "The Hunter and the Hunted," a new Haiku song that's not on the album (dope!)... and Haiku hanging out smoking by the beach at sunrise giving informal a capellas of "Dogs" and "Mike Aaron & Eddie"... I actually think Mikah's a cappella of "Mike Aaron & Eddie" is better than the album version cause he flows more melodically...
This is a great album, better than Acey's last 2 albums, and almost as good as the first Haiku. Keep an eye out for Mikah 9's next release "Gramophone.""
A Must Have for Fans of Ace, Ab and Mikah
M. A. Rodriguez | USA | 12/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Looking at this album in relation to the former is unfair. The first album, a must have too, was and is a monument to hiphop. The first album is a woven sonic experience.
Coup De Theatre feels tight, focused, high quality. Haiku is definitely back and on point. The pure lyrical talent in this record is astounding but for my taste, the beats/rhythms were a little "synth and sampled sounding." I really would of liked to of seen Haiku with Roots-esque live instrumentation. It really would of made this record outshine the former.
Nevertheless, the songs taken by themselves are amazing and bumping. Especially: Coup De Theatre, 575 and Top Qualified. It also was good to hear Busdriver, a definate and appropriate addition to Haiku.
All in all, if you have never heard Haiku, pick up this one and the original release. If you pick up the re-issue, you miss key tracks from the original like Westside Slip-n-Slide, an Untitled improv track and the original Kaya."
Haiku d'Etat Is Lyrical Genius
Steven Hoefgen | Issaquah, WA United States | 11/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ok so this group is three extremely talented Mc's. You've got Abstract Rude, Aceyalone, and Mikah 9. All these guys have great talent and combined into one group their just amazing. Just saw these guys live at the Showbox in Seattle and they had the crowd going wild! If you haven't heard of Aceyalone or Abstract Rude I suggest looking into some of their solo stuff, All Balls Don't Bounce is a great CD by Aceyalone. Abstract has a good CD with tribe unique as well called PAINT. Either Way get Haiku!!!!"
I almost threw up in my mouth a little...
N. Gowda | Burbank, CA USA | 02/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...when i first heard "Mike, Aaron & Eddie." it's THAT sick. and the group has such a unique sound that you can't even imagine what sickness lies within. i read another reviewer's comment that he would have paid the price of the cd for that track alone...and i wanted to make sure it's clear that his comment, by no means, implied that the rest of the album skimps. this one's a must-buy."
Mike, Aaron and Eddie own the stage...
Marcelle D. Ward | Kirkland, WA | 08/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"4 1/2 stars on the real.
Haiku d'Etat is, without a doubt, one of the most original acts I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Skilled and thoroughly versed in hip-hop's ever fluctuating language, Mike, Aaron and Eddie take the music to a different plane of existence. The second release is much smarter than the first, accompanied by a DVD of freestyles and exclusive videos of the group's tours and interactions. Let me break it down like so:
Beats:
Production has definitely stepped up a notch. On the frenetic, "Mike, Aaron and Eddie" you are caught up in a fast paced blitz of words and beats, which will definitely have your head nodding and your jaw dropping. Other cuts like "Stoic Response" may leave you desiring a bit more. "Top Qualified", though lyrically off the meter, could have benefitted from better production.
Flows:
This is where the album shines. Songs like "Kats", "Dogs" and "Coup De Theatre" are surely examples of the triumvirate's great presence and writing ability. Not only that, they know how to entertain you with off the mark quips and still keep the beat. If you want lyrics, look no further. Also, check out the DVD if you yearn for more.
Lasting Appeal:
I have to give it to them for trying something new and being very original. Honestly, most people in the industry can't take those types of chances because they'll lose their fan base or for fear of being alienated. Haiku d'Etat is an album that forces you to take notice of three cats that move hip-hop towards a new horizon. I enjoy it tremendously.
Buy this one and get the first album just to know where they came from.