Search - Unknown Prophets :: The Road Less Traveled

An alternate route to paradise

Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 03/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Unknown Prophets are THE underground hip-hop collective from Northeast Minneapolis. They are by far the most underrated hip-hop group of the century. Big Jess (producer/emcee), Mad Son (emcee) and Willy Lose (DJ) are all back to shock listeners once again with their most highly anticipated release of their career - "The Road Less Traveled". It's been in the works for the last 3-4 years and all I can say is, prepare to be blown away. First of all, lets start with the album's artwork - a truly important part of this release. Artist Chris Allen (aka Inkproof) outdid himself on this one. This is by far the best art I've yet to see from an Unknown Prophets release. It looks sharp and professional from every angle, as well as the interior. It's definitely a selling point to the amount of sincerity they're including into the album. Simply put, this is a more easily marketable product (one of the main reasons two of my friends bought the album was because of the artwork). Now let's move on to the music.



"Time To Move Forward" (produced by Fero Navi) - A larger than life intro that lets long-time fans know that it was totally worth the wait. The production hits hard with Willy Lose's dope scratching and cuts.



"Mr. Mainstream" (produced by Big Jess) - Those who are familiar with the Unknown Prophets know that they definitely deserve a shot at some real exposure. The song centers around a phone message to "William Mainstream". It's not that they are starving to be on MTV. They want to change the industry for the better. It's basically everything you would want to say to a pompous money grubbing record executive.



"Our Time Now" (produced by Big Jess, additional vocals by Brent Snyder) - This song reminds me of a Big Jess solo tune - "All I Know", which isn't a bad thing. This song has one of the best messages on the album. The lyrics are true to heart and deeply sincere. This is the most conscious the Prophets get. For the uninitiated, they explain the course of their career from day one. It seems especially wrenching when they talk about losing steam after their sophomore album as their exposure slowly declined. It's the uneasy reality of knowing that the buzz wouldn't last forever. By time the song's over, they have us all believing that this is going to be the year of the Prophets.



"Not Today" (produced by Big Jess) - Big Jess belts out a haunting orchestra laced beat here that's quite memorable. Jess and Son show that they're major forces to be reckoned with as they bring substance to the game.



"Let It Loose" (additional vocals by Joia Senser and Craig D.) - The beats are banging, and with the addition of the soaring choruses, this song sounds very mainstream, but still conveys an underground feel and message.



"The Road Less Traveled" (produced by Fero Navi) - Navi whips up a killer beat here. It's guitar and harmonica loop gives it a very memorable southern rock feel.



"Dive In" (produced by Big Jess) - This one includes some of my favorite production on the record. Jess pulls together some sweet sped up wood wind and string instruments to create a soundscape that's just plain addictive. The song deals with young adolescents that "dive in" to situations to quickly, like marriage or pregnancy.



"Lord Please" (produced by Big Jess) - Mad Son shines here. Jess' atmospheric loop intertwines with both of their spiritual flows. The enhanced CD also offers a sweet video for this song.



"Move Mountains" (produced by Big Jess, co-produced by Mizzo, additional vocals by Stokely Williams, guitar by Mad Son, accordion by Mary MacCarthy) - Definitely a standout track. Man, there needs to be more accordion in hip-hop music. This song has a quiet, tranquil, head nodding feel. It's groove will definitely sink it's hooks into you.



"Imagination" (produced by Big Jess, additional vocals by Samahra) - I've seen Samahra a few times, she's a cool chick. She adds to the song nicely with some soothing vocals. Big Jess shines here with some truly soulful lyrics.



"This Song" (produced by Big Jess) - One of the best tracks on the album. This is sure to be a live show stamp before too long. It's got hard crunching electric guitars buzzing throughout. It's certainly a get-out-of-your-seat jam.



"Waves" (produced by Big Jess) -This is yet another profound message-track that emulates that fact the Big Jess and Mad Son have a love for hip-hop that his unmatched by the masses. True hunger.



"Lost In Time" (produced by Big Jess, guitar by Mad Son) - Mad Son shines here. For those who don't know, he used to play a lot of guitar before he got into the hip-hop scene. The guitar work adds a soothing sincere edge to the reality of their story rhymes.



"Grown" (produced by Big Jess, co-produced by Mizzo, additional vocals by Joia Senser and Witney, saxophone by Sue McKenzie) - Like many of the tracks included here, this one marks a progression on how their songs are moving from standard loops and rhymes to solid compositions. This is definitely one of my favorites.



"Against The Grain" (produced by Big Jess) - This is also one of my favorites. The production is very addictive. When the track ends, you are left pondering their final mission statement, because it's really that true.



The reason I've stuck by the Prophets for so long is because their lyrics and writing are on a completely different level. Until I saw the Unknown Prophets, I hadn't seen anyone laying out their heart and soul on stage for the world to hear like these two have. There is just a profound amount of honesty and sincerity held within their music that I connect with on a surreal level. The beats weren't really a concern or the main part I was feeling at first. Since I've been following them, Big Jess' production improved with every release, bringing their message full circle like no other. With any luck, this will be the magnificent album that they win over the masses with."

Hip hop is not dead

rizzo981 | Italy | 12/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whell, I'm italian and I realy love true hip hop (mostly from the golden era), this one, in my poor opinion, is the best hip-hop album coming out from 2006 (maybe from the new millenium)... if u are loockin for some hip hop whit intelligent contents this one is for u... the productions are pretty cool and the lyrics are great... real f*cking life is not only beaches and money (for us), f*ck mtv and the s*it they plaing

take it, u can't desagree"