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Hanif Jamiyl - Krushed GrapesAlbum Review by:
Michael Ivey
Saturday, February 23, 2008
 Massachusetts’ Maspyke member Hanif Jamiyl is correct: his new solo sex panorama ‘Krushed Grapes’ is like a lifestyle; it gets greater later.
The interview segment at the albums’ outset adds detail to Hanif’s sultry soundscape but other skits are just extra fat. Off the bat (“Take It Off”), listeners know they’re dealing with a female pleasing escort service, so there’s no reason to re-emphasize beyond beats and rhymes.
The electronica sounding “Insatiable Rose” and the title track are poor attempts at recreating Pharrell or Timberlake.
‘Krushed Grapes’ doesn’t heat up until the fourteen cut album’s second half. “My Lament” is classic hip hop, with its multi-language “hellos” in a chorus that revolves around one strikingly melodic verse that’s repeated.
The monotone keys and catchy hook in “It Ain’t Much” feel like a grown and sexy lullaby for drunken, post-party slumber; Hanif’s mention of “girls” and “boys” pin points the childish ways of sexy ladies with false pride and the guys who use and abuse them.
Typical descriptions can’t check Hanif’s lyrical content because of his beat choices and the fact that ‘Krushed Grapes’ doesn’t just objectify women; the sex service makes it OK for ladies to indulge in mutual fantasy without being “whores, “hoes” or “smuts.”
“Wet Dream” is a seminal example of this album’s collection of quality R&B choruses. The “female species” being so audibly inclined, women are sure to want to feel good like “peaches and cream” when this track ends; Hanif paints a stellar food filled fantasy for all sweet things who taste like chocolate and caramel.
Blocking curses on a hip hop record in 2008 may seem unnecessary but ‘Krushed Grapes’ edits add class to the record, like a nice glass of red wine does to a full course Thanksgiving.
“Just a Nut” reminds ladies of that old adage, “love me with your mind girl and not your heart,” via a singular verse of raw. We wade through melodic bars-“a kiss is just a kiss…there’s nothing more to us…”-until Hanif picks up the songs’ wave with concise rapping.
In the end, ‘Krushed Grapes’ is just a quality attempt at exploring the emotional gambit revolving around our pursuits of love and our continued re-discovery of lust. The album best’s typical hip hop/R&B fodder yet overdoes the theatrics with skits.
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