What Time Is Money should've been?
Pablo | 05/25/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Now that Styles P is completely in charge of his recordings on Koch record, he delivers his third album following his sophomore effort on Interscope only 7 months ago. Although Styles P was recognized as a major-label artist before, he always kept his head in the underground scene, and The Ghost Sessions is a perfect example of this. With guest appearances by the likes of AZ, Kool G. Rap, Cormega, and Joell Ortiz, and production provided by Large Professor, among others, The Ghost Sessions is an ultimately dope release from Styles, even if certain aspects of it may seem like a bootleg.
Perhaps being a bootleg is the best format this album could've went in, though. The strictly underground feel of it differs greatly from Time Is Money, and Styles sounds much more comfortable in this type of enviorment; he's always been a street-rapper, and this is where his strength is at its pinnacle. Possessing one of the grittiest voices in the game, a above-average vocabulary, and a grimey, yet intoxicating flow, Styles feels right at home on tracks like the opener featuring AZ, where both of these underrated New York legends deliver dope verses over a tight verse by Large Professor. The following track, "**** The Police," may possess one of the most overused titles and subjects in the rap game, but Styles still manages to carry the track with his skill. "No Remorse" with D-Block member J-Hood is quite tight, supported by an eerie backdrop, and dope verses from both of the New York natives.
"Come One, Come All" produced by M.O.P.'s Fizzy Womack(Lil' Fame), is a dope track featuring none other than Kool G. Rap. Kool G's verse is ill as expected, but Styles more than holds his own against the hip-hop heavyweight. Fizzy also produced the track succeeding this, Hold On, featuring Jay Rush; Styles rips through this soulful track with ill verses, and Styles drops some of the street-knowledge he's become famous for. Rush provides an infectious chorus, crooning powerfully over the lush backgrounds provided for him. "Frustration" is another Street Radio produced track, who supplied Styles with quite a few ill beats on this album; Frustration is no exception. Following his usual trapped-in-the-ghetto format, Styles manages to continue shining on this track, even if it isn't as strong as some of the songs that preceeded it.
Pain feels like what Styles' Time Is Money track, Fire & Pain, was aiming for; it succeeds where that track failed, most likely thanks to this song lacking a Sizzla hook. Bradd Marquis provides a biting chorus, that helps evevate this track as one of the stand-outs on the album. "The Struggle," produced by Large Prof once again, leads me to believe that these two have incredible chemistry. An entire album done by Paniro and Extra P could certainly be a banger, and I hope those two have thought of the possibility after their ill concoctions on this album. Poor Folk presents the two down-to-earth emcees, Styles and Joell Ortiz, over a piano driven beat from Street Radio. Although I think Joell's new album was rather overrated, he performs well enough on this track, even if Styles does manage to outshine him.
The rest of the album is largely similar in vein to the tracks I've reviewed; Styles rarely strays away from the streets, but it works for him. Although he can drop knowledge quite frequently, and he does have a conscience, he's still dead-set on blowing his adversaries outta their G-Unit sneakers. If you want an album that's dope lyrically, and heavily influenced by the thug lifestyle, Styles P's Ghost Sessions is for you. He's not as much the thinking man's gangster as he was on a Gangster And A Gentleman or Time Is Money, but he still manages to release an ill album that'll more than satisfy his fans and newcomers alike. Recommended."
Styles is back
G$ | B-More, MD | 06/30/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Just half a year after his "Time is Money" album dropped, Stlyes returns with yet another good street album. It seems as though teh Ghost has been the busiest man in D-Block lately dropping various albums and mixtapes while Sheek has been dropping a few things here and there and Jadakiss has been real quiet lately, Styles holds downt he fort. With 12 songs (and 3 Rock remixes) it isn't the longest album but it's still nice. Guests are on about half the songs and are some great appearances as well, some of the finer rappers int he underground scene are on here. Of the 12 songs, 1 is a classic, 3 are ok and the other 8 are good (the 3 rock remixes are all ok, nothing special and no need really to put on an album). Production is nice as well. Street Radio does 6 songs, Fizzy Womack of M.O.P. and Large professor each do 2 songs, and J Waxx Garfield and Emile each do 1, Ill Will Fulton does the 3 rock remixes. A nice album for fans of D-Block or real street gutter rap to have.
#1 - 10 (CLASSIC!! -- f/ AZ -- great beat)
#2 - 8
#3 - 9 (f/ J Hood -- nice beat)
#4 - 6 (f/ Kool G Rap & Ill Bill)
#5 - 7 (f/ Jay Rush)
#6 - 8
#7 - 7.5
#8 - 8.5
#9 - 8.5 (f/ Joelle Ortiz -- also on Joell's "The Brick Bodega Chronicles" album)
#10 - 7
#11 - 8.5 (f/ Cormega)
#12 - 8
#13 - 7 (Rock remix)
#14 - 6 (f/ Ill Bill -- rock remix)
#15 - 7 (rock remix)
David Styles -- b. 11/74 -- b. Corona Queens, NY moved to Yonkers, NY
check all my reviews"
Soon to be SP's long lost classic album!!
bRaZzi | the Bronx, NYC | 05/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this album has great production, the lyrics are outta control, and the collabs are only made in dreams. if this was well promoted, this would've been a big hit with the mainstream. nonetheless, its the Ghost's best album to date and i'd say a classic... def going to b on my year end best album list.
BUY THIS ALBUM! if u never bought any Styles P album and you love the mixtapes, this is the album to own!!!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
