It is kind of late, but I will begin my "Best of 2008"-series now with the 6th album of Guerrilla Funk CEO Paris, called "Acid Reflex". This series will contain my collection of the best albums released in 2008. Unfortunately, it was quite easy to choose the best records from the past year because of the downfall of quality music in this genre. 2008 was a very bad year for music at all, especially for rap when you look at the sales-numbers also. Even Snoop Dogg didn't manage it to go platinum for the first time in his career despite his hit-single "Sexual Eruption" ("Sensual Seduction"). Nowadays, many rap-artists try to flood the market with non-quality music to make the quick dollar and the rising of digital releases reflects the crisis of the music-industry. Of course, there still are some artist trying to put out quality music instead, whether on a major label or not, but it is sad to see that even those artists rarely fulfil the expectations of the fans.
It took the self-proclaimed "Bush Killa" 5 years to put out his latest solo-effort "Acid Reflex" through his own Guerrilla Funk label and the controversial cover speaks for itself. The lyrics are highly political as usual and Paris tries to show his state of mind on the system in the election year. Still sharp, still embittered and still radical, Paris raps about a country being based on apprehension, lies and consume but the music differs a bit from the album's forerunner "Sonic Jihad". The beats are less banging and "gangster" and also less jazz-funk influenced but are more monotonous and more simple, meaning the drums do not sound that elaborate and there are only a few funky arrangements in the background. The music is still professional produced and well balanced, but it sounds more slow and similar. The barnstorming groove is kind of missing on this CD.
The albums has its musical highlights for sure, though. I have to mention the lead-single "Don't Stop The Movement" - which features newcomer T-K.A.S.H. on the hook - at first, because this sounds just like the Paris we know from "Sleeping With The Enemy"-days. You may put the CD into your system and the first track just bombs you away like "whoa!" (see also: my full review to this song here) and you sure will expect more of that sound. But you will get belied a little bit then, because most of the other songs cannot compete with this one. There is no "filler" or complete failure on this album, but most of it is not really thrilling or special - besides some of Paris' raps. As I said before, his raps can still carry you. He is still aiming on the president like on "The Trap":
>>I vote but never stop the problems around
Them soldiers, only murderin the black and the brown
I get my gun and stun 'em we run 'em out of the town
I'd rather, shoot now Congressman, shoot the President<<
When it comes to punchlines, there are only a few rappers that can see Paris at all and he proves this with his lyrics on "Winter In America" also. This song features Chuck D by the way. Paris turns the light on the abuse of 9/11 as a political and social tool to manipulate people:
>>9/11 is no longer a conspiracy
It's being used to reduce civil liberties
Speak critically, they can legally ignore you
And let the verachip think for you<<
Another great track is the drum and guitar based "True". The background effects combined with the echoed synthesizer plus the deep-toned bass keep the thing working, as well as Paris' lyrical effort does:
>>I know you think the West coast started with Eazy and finished with Pac
But think again, we got it just as hard out here
You act like the government ain't in charge out here - man
Pass the Molotov, light it up and throw it at the city hall
Administration, station
Face the Nation, I ain't talkin 'bout the President
I'm talkin 'bout the flag with the star and the crescent in it<<
He also loses a few words about the actual state of hip-hop and you can feel him not being content with it:
>>I'm a threat cause mainstream rejection didn't spook me!
Rappers tried to make me switch and couldn't move me
Kufi salute me and true niggaz choose me<<
>>Now tell me what's so gangster 'bout flossin your bank account
for some quick attention from the women while the people in the hood suffer<<
As usual, Paris' skits are also packed with a political message, so is "The Violence Of The Lambs" on which you can hear Pastor Jeremiah Wright stating some unpleasant facts about America (read here). America's chickens are coming home to roost, somewhat reminding me on the proverb "what goes around, comes around", you can have your own opinion about it.
The CD is listenable from beginning to end, with its great moments here and there, but it misses some replay value in the long run. I would name 5 standout-tracks, including the remix of "Don't Stop The Movement", which is easily the most exciting track I've heard in a minute.
With "Acid Reflex" Paris dropped a very solid and vintage sounding album, but as I said, I think he could have done a little bit better, measured against his earlier releases. This shows, that even grown artists like Paris seem like they do not really know which direction they should give to their music. Compared to the bulk of lame and uninteresting music by other rappers these days, this album is a blessing though. It's good to see that there are intelligent people, putting out intelligent music, don't let themselves get dumped by the industry and keep the funk alive (at least a bit).
So keep in mind:"The people united, will never be defeated."
----Rating: 7,5 / 10
Si-Chill
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