4 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MUSIC
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10,2002
Local musicians make most of unique styles
Tech N9ne shoots straight with powerful new album
Tech NOne
Absolute Power
Strange Music
Tech N9ne knows his own power.
His latest album, Absolute Power, flows with the raw lyrical potency that has led him to the top of the Kansas City hip-hop scene.
Following up 2001's Anghellic, Tech raps on issues ranging from drug-use to the state of America's youth.
The lead single "Slacker," complete with a sci-fi like music video, shows off Tech N9ne's poetic skills backed by a complex beat by Femi Ojetunde.
He takes on the state of hip-hop with the vitriolic "Industry is Punks" and goes all out with a barrage of melodic fireworks in "Imma Tell."
The title track, "Absolute Power," is distinctive to the album. It opens with a trance-like reverse taped sample but soon crashes into the listener with the verbal force of a class-four hurricane.
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Other strong tracks include the cryptic "Worst Enemy," and the defiant "Keep On Keepin' On." Far from being absolutely corrupted, Absolute Power, delivers Tech N9ne's trademark energy and cements his place as a masterful hip-hop artisan.
DJ Not a DJ follows its roots with techno-mixed tracks
Patrick Cady
DJ Not a DJ Deep Roots in Shallow Ground Mixtape Meditation Records
The name says it all.
DJ Not a DJ has proved on its latest release Deep Roots in Shallow Ground that its music is not so easy to pin down.
Turntable master Jerett Fulton is adept at techno beats, but he also dabbles in a variety of genres that listeners probably won't expect. Fulton, along with drummer/percussionist Bob Little, keyboardist/loop stylist Nate Holt and bassist/keyboardist Dash Fohahn Williamson, transitions from ceremonial chants to reggae to jazz in the hour-plus album. A confusing blend perhaps, but who can blame a band for showing off everything it has to offer?
Most frequently DJ Not a DJ delves into a jazz and ambient hybrid style, with a pinch of Sade's music intermingled. These mellower moments do not necessarily lend
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themselves to a night at the old Granada, but some bachelors might find it useful with the ladies. After listening to any of Deep Roots, it is obvious DJ Not a DJ is not trying to be the next Chemical Brothers. These boys have much more up their sleeves than two turntables and a microphone.
Amy Kelly
Jurassic 5, 'One Big Trip' equals great ride Jurassic 5 balances messages
'Trip' doubles as film, album
Various Artists One Big Trip Red Urban
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It began as a modern day pilgrimage and ended up making hip-hop history. One Big Trip is the first disc to double as both a full-length feature film and a complete hip-hop compilation. The film chronicles five people's search for the state of American character at the turn of the 21st century, and the compilation collects rap's cutting edge in a fire storm of progressive poetry.
The first full cut, "Verbal Gunfight" by Jurassic 5, establishes the mood with a complex lyrical volley and paves the way for an exotic track by Hieroglyphics called "Soweto." featuring Goapele.
The final track, "The High Road," by Swollen Members, is imbued with the wandering spirit of the entire project. A melodic piano piece is framed by a constant beat and the lyrics capture images of the country mixed with the mystique of life's road.
Subject matter varies from dancing in "Make the People Sway" by DTA & The Magic Disco Machine to the contemplative in Hieroglyphics' "Think Again."
PatrickCady
Jurassic 5
Power in Numbers
Interscope Records
Although they may not know how to count,the six members of Jurassic 5 know how to make superb hip-hop.
Power in Numbers proves that they should be considered one of the premier hip-hop groups in the land.
On this album, they strike a perfect balance between political messages, fine and dandy beats, and good old-fashioned fun.
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The piano and flute on tracks like "If You Only Knew" and "High Fidelity will put a smile on any cynic's face, and Hey" has enough groove to make Shaft jealous.
In fact, "I Am Somebody" has a beat reminiscent of the Isaac Hayes' theme
On "Thin Line," Nelly "I'm Like a Bird" Furtado steps in and spreads her creative wings to give the song a memorable chorus.
The song is straight up self-esteem on a stick.
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