Search - Wise Intelligent Iz :: The Talented Timothy Taylor

Wisdom Still Intact {4 Stars}

Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 07/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wise Intelligent is mostly known for being the front man for the Trenton, NJ group Poor Righteous Teachers. While that trio produced a string of classic releases, very few paid any attention to Wise when he went for self. On his third release, Wise drops knowledge again. What to expect is pretty much cut and dry if you've been a fan for a while and he doesn't disappoint. Joints like "Go With Me" and "I'm Him" are the standouts in my mind. There are also solid tracks like "G*nja Smugglin", "This Is Love", and "A Genocide" to be found throughout the album. My biggest fear was that he'd come across as washed up. A lot of my favorite rappers from the past are attempting comebacks and aren't doing so hot. Wise is the exception. He sounds as if he never took a break and he's still as sharp as ever, so there's no need to even worry about that.



There are a handful of tracks that fell under skip material for this listener. "Sensi Party" has a good theme, but it lacked a decent hook and somewhat uninteresting production. The same could be said about "Youths & Thugs". There aren't any wack tracks and the message that Wise has made a career out of spreading remains in tact. The problem for me is when some beats and rhymes don't mesh all that well. Otherwise, things are great. I'd have to say that out of 18 tracks (5 of the 23 are skits/interludes) at least 13 are worth checking out.



I can't speak for other listeners, but I was a little worried that Wise would trade in his razor sharp flow for something a little more contemporary and up to date (a lot of my old favorites that are making comebacks have done just that). Fear not, the flow is still in tact. Despite come dangerously close to crossing the line (even if only on one or two songs), he never actually crosses it. Whether you were a fan of Poor Righteous Teachers back in the 90's or even if this is your first time ever hearing him rhyme, I'm willing to bet that you'll end up loving it. I recommend adding this album to your music library.



Standout Tracks: This Is Love, Go With Me (My Favorite), Police Can Do, I'm Him, Still Black, G*nja Smugglin', and Another Chance @ Life"

Eleven years in the making?

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 07/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Earlier this year, I read a press release saying that Wise Intelligent would be releasing an album and I did a double-take. Wise Intelligent was a rapper I loved in the 90s, and he inexplicably disappeared from the music in 1996. As a member of Poor Righteous Teachers, who put together four incredible albums during the first half of the nineties, and on his 1996 solo album Killin' U for Fun, the Trenton, New Jersey rapper established himself as one of hip hop's best talents; an excellent lyricst, socially relevant and conscious, and entertaining. Wise rapped with a purpose and conviction to rival Chuck D, and every verse and lyric had a purpose of social activism or relevance if not strictly for a party. PRT was also a really enticing group for the way they incorporated reggae into their brand of hip hop, and Wise especially did this by often using the flow of a dancehall toaster in his raps. Knowing all this, I was naturally very interested to see how "The Talented Timothy Taylor" would sound eleven years after his last release. This album comes out on Shaman Works Records, the same indie label who released CL Smooth's comeback last fall, and apparently this album is meant to be the first of a series.



Bringing home the cover showing a thugged-out Wise Intelligent and a scantily-clad lady, I had a few qualms, but the old addage about not judging a book by its cover holds true. After only a few listens, Wise had me sold once again. He sounds exactly like the same rapper I loved in Poor Righteous Teachers. The social activism here is awesome. He advocates for issues like the best did in the early 90s, but everything he raps about is totally relevant today. He raps about problems surrounding racism, drug wars, urban youth, and poverty. His verses are all very well-thought out, clever, and thought-provoking. My favorite tracks are a handful where he becomes personal, digging into his own life and offering some emotional insight on what he's been through. He frequently brings out the dancehall-toaster in him, which pleased me as well. I was extremely impressed with Wise Intelligent's performance on "The Talented Timothy Taylor," which was inspired throughout.



I also really liked the production. Wise could have gone a few routes with the music. I thought he could have sounded dated using his comfortable 90s-style production, or sound a little awkward over contemporary beats. The beats here are very current-sounding, but he sounds great over them. A few tracks bear the nostalgic soulful sound of a Kanye West production, complete with sped-up whiny vocal samples. There are a few bangers like he always brought out in his heyday, and some more subtle, understated ones too. The instrumentals are very nice. At 23 tracks, there are numerous skits, which tend to be vocal pieces of people going through struggles and despair, which Wise elaborates upon in the following songs.



The album opens with the beautiful piano solo and vocal sample of "Another Chance at Life," a perfect opener. Wise raps about his return, and also provides insight upon the breakup of PRT, the death of his sister, and his hopes for the future. The more upbeat "I'm Him" announces his comeback again, in a confident fashion. The only track I really didn't like was "Sensi Party." Wise's verses are okay, but the weak hook and beat fall flat for a club track. The nostalgic, soulful "Go With Me" has some nice verses, and the very Jamaican-influenced "Youth & Thugs" brings the conscious rap to the forefront, addressing problems for inner-city youths over some rough production. "A Genocide" elaborates similarly, talking about what young, poor black males face daily. I really like "Ganja Smugglin," a great first-person narrative about a high-profile drug trade involving a man and his girlfriend. I like how he just makes this entertaining, but also subliminally puts some consciousness there too, and the beat is nice, with a reggae-styled hook. "Police Can Do" is solid, and my favorite song is definitely "Passing Tha Time." The beat on this song is perfect, a pumped-up, horn-laden soul track with a gorgeous vocal sample. Wise Intelligent's raps are inspiring, he speaks lovingly to a lifetime friend from behind bars. The racially-fueled "Still Black" and heavily-conscious "Mama Cry" both bring the relevance that hip hop severely lacks right now, over nice beats nonetheless that might bring back memories of Black Business and New World Order. The rock guitar-laced "Summer in the JECTS" profiles a day in the housing projects. I like how he just provides simple commentary, giving pure facts and leaving the listener to think of solutions. One of the best highlights is the short "Barnes & Noble (+Lesson)," a very clever and funny track. "This Is Love" is a decent love track, it's a little slow and drags a bit. "Intelligent Wise" is fast, pure, and fun, and "Set U Free" is well-produced and well-written. The album closes with the thought-provoking "Cold World," which talks about current ills of society.



If you really love hip hop, this is the type of album I hope you'd support. We have here a legendary vet making an unlikely comeback that is not likely to move many copies, and he brings a great performance with unrivaled talent. But most importantly, he's making good music with a positive message. This type of social activism and relevant music is certainly lacking in hip hop right now, and this is refreshing for so many reasons. It feels really good to listen and rave about an album by Wise Intelligent once again. I highly recommend "The Talented Timothy Taylor." Old fans will love hearing his unique voice once again, and new listeners will find him easily accessible."