|
9th Wonder & Buckshot - ChemistryAlbum Review by:
John Kennedy
Friday, July 8, 2005
 Preview/Download
In the mid-nineties, a Brooklyn-based trio by the name of Black Moon set afire New York City’s underground hip-hop scene with hardcore classics like “How Many MCs,” “Who Got The Props,” and “Buck Em Down.” A decade later, underground rap music, now known as backpacker hip-hop, is dominated by a North Carolina trinity called Little Brother, whose sound is defined by producer 9th Wonder’s signature snares and soul sampling. Buckshot, the dominant voice of Black Moon, and production prodigy 9th Wonder attempt to bridge the time gap with their aptly titled collaboration, Chemistry. But the question remains: Will their sounds blend gracefully or will the time barrier prevent a smooth musical fusion?
Great music is timeless and Buckshot and 9th Wonder are no exception to the rule. As the album begins, Buckshot immediately reveals his formula for musical mastery on “Chemistry 101”: “Mix a pound of underground, a cup of Buck, a fifth of some Ninth Wonder for the DJ to cut.” Buck demands his due respect on “Slippin” and uses 9th’s hollow guitar strings to articulate his disgust for today’s generation of thugs who are quicker to grab the gat than shoot the fair-one on “Now A Dayz.” 9th’s intensified horns and dwindling violin prevail on “Side Talk,” but Buckshot justifies his thug on the standout track “Ain’t No Comparison,” as he dismisses all competitors with powerful lines like: “I’m the best when I’m at my worst / I'm the rest of the shells from the shotty, now adjust that Hearst.”
Although 9th Wonder and Buckshot’s synergy carries the album, the further merging of the Justus League and Boot Camp Click brings the album to even greater heights. Big Pooh and Sean Price back up Buck on “U Wondering.” The League’s L.E.G.A.C.Y. and Joe Scudda join in to tell tales of beef on enemy turf on “Out of Town,” over 9th Wonder’s brisk snares and a howling vocal sample.
Although 9th Wonder’s production acts as the catalyst to Buckshot’s renewed vigor, his beats begin to sound repetitive as the 12-track opus plays on. Chemistry would’ve benefited from a more diverse soundscape; nonetheless, Buckshot’s lyricism and 9th Wonder’s soul blend brilliantly, creating a bubbly concoction that will leave listeners eagerly awaiting the next time these two get in the lab together.
Tracklist & Reader Reviews
 ( 2) Comments | Post a comment »
|
|
