Three Imaginary Girls - Massline Media

Black Patch War

Erik Gonzalez — Wed, 21 May 2008 06:13:58 +0000

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Patch-War-Common-Market/dp/B0018BDA1Q/

There's nothing like hearing an act that you've been rooting for finally get it all together. Common Market's (RA Scion and DJ Sabzi) self-titled debut album was good... not great, but good. Now, before you think I'm trash-talking Common Market here, let me plead my case. No matter how many times I've listened to the album, it just never seemed to click, like something was out of phase, flickering in and out of reality. You'd get absolute gems like “Connect For” or “Trinity” and then a bunch of tracks that fell a bit flat. Maybe I was unjustly comparing it to Sabzi's other act, Blue Scholars, whose debut was approaching perfect. In any case, I had a lot of hope for Common Market, and Black Patch War gives us a taste of that promise fulfilled.

Black Patch War is just tight. Tightly produced. Tightly rhymed. Tightly packaged into seven songs. It just feels so much more focused than anything Common Market has released. The title track is an aggressive protest song that borrows some of Jay-Z's Black Album vibe, with Scion sporting a sizeable chip on his shoulder. Of course, modern urban radio would be terrified of it because it's (a) intelligent and (b) lacking enough faux-pimp/gangster posturing. “Watership Down,” using a smeared soul sample to wrap about Scion's verses, espousing a lot of great one liners like ”they'd be afraid of death if they had something to life for,” and “Red Leaves” seems to partner with “Watership Down,” with its more optimistic tone (albeit subtle). It is kind of fun to hear Common Market trying some big sound like on “His Eminence." You could almost picture the 10' tall neon sign flashing “Common Market” behind Scion and Sabzi in the video. On the flip side, “Trouble Is” is some of the smoothest sounds that the act has put to tape (hard drive?) and could be the high point on the EP, coming across like southern hip-hop with a brain.

Common Market are taking a big step forward with their Black Patch War EP. The songs come across as much more together and focused than anything they've recorded before and its this evolution that takes Common Market from another intelligent hip-hop act to a duo with a voice of their own.

Black Patch War is just tight. Tightly produced. Tightly rhymed. Tightly packaged into seven songs. It just feels so much more focused than anything Common Market has released.

Common Market are insanely uncommon

Chris Estey — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:02:09 +0000

You hear this kind of rah-rah a lot about a lot of different artists, but if you've never seen RA Scion and Sabzi work it live, bring the whole freakin' family tonight to the Vera! I have seen them get EVERYONE dancing at shows.

Joe Metro EP

Erik Gonzalez — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:47:02 +0000

7.7

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YAC2NY/ref=dm_sp_alb

joemetro.jpg

For those of you who might have missed it, the Blue Scholars released one heck of an album in 2007. Bayani, the duo’s sophomore release, builds on their debut’s socially-conscious lyrics provided by Geologic mixed with Sabzi’s smooth production. The Scholars are curating The Program for five nights at Neumo’s in Seattle, December 18-22, featuring a who’s who in Northwest hip-hop. And if that isn’t enough, the Blue Scholars have released the Joe Metro EP, a download only EP full of new songs, remixes, and instrumentals to tide us over. While Joe Metro isn’t as hard hitting as the Long March EP, it still delivers what we expect from the Seattle duo.

I think what is most satisfying about the Blue Scholars is the respect they have for their audience. They realize that to many people, there is more to worry about that dancing, sex, and posturing. The title track is featured on Bayani and well, it is a great track with Geologic in his top form. The song is remarkably positive, much like The Blue Scholars’ “No Rest for the Weary.” The song itself is a commentary of Seattle city life, right down to a description of life on MLK and the over-abundance of coffee shops on Capitol Hill. “Southbound” offers a breather from the city and the struggle, reminding us that every one needs a break sometimes (along with some other more primal needs). The song itself has a throwback feel with a thick synthesize line over the beat. “Town Talk” brings in a pile of guests with the Blue Scholars, with the Physics and Khingz, showcasing the highlights of Seattle’s hip hop scene; it almost comes across like a Northwest answer to Dre’s work with Snoop Dogg. The remix of “North by Northwest” gives the song a much more insistent, anxious tone, like a call to arms rather than a party anthem. The instrumentals don’t add a lot to the EP; however, they do let us appreciate the remarkable musical skills of Sabzi.

In a world of meaningless, throwaway music, the Blue Scholars are a respite for the intelligent listener. Even when they’re relaxing, Geologic and Sabzi never forget there is a struggle. Based on what is on your typical urban format radio station, you’d probably that protest hip-hop had long since vanished, but the Blue Scholars keep the banner waving for music that going beyond pure entertainment.

In a world of meaningless, throwaway music, the Blue Scholars are a respite for the intelligent listener.

Bayani

Phil Duncan — Wed, 09 May 2007 04:45:29 +0000

9.3

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000Q66HX2/wwwthreeimagi-20

bluescholars07may.jpg

Bayani, the third release from arguably Seattle’s biggest hip-hop duo is easily one of the most poignant, important, and best albums ever to come from the Northwest. I realize that I’m placing an immense weight on the Blue Scholars by making this statement, but after listening to this album, I gladly invite you to disagree with me.

This record is what hip-hop was made for, powerful messages that cover the problems and feelings of the world from Seattle to Baghdad and everywhere and everything in-between. The tracks are delivered in Geologic’s clever, lighting bolt style amplified by Sabzi’s stripped-down, old-school beats and melodies – creating something that’s hard to categorize, which is okay, because this music doesn’t need it. Every song unfolds like a novel; complex narratives are peppered with political and social commentary. Like previous Scholar album’s, Bayani is full of Seattle references, from the U-District to the Mariners, but this album is different in that it branches out, spanning the entire globe.

The album is diverse, eclectic, and unique. Fist-pumping political anthems like “Fire for the People” and the WTO protest homage “50 Thousand Deep” ride seamlessly alongside slower and subtle tracks such as “Xenophobia” and “The Distance,” which discuss racism and the plight of immigrants in America.

This album is an example of the perfect album falling into the public’s hands at the perfect time. It would be a gross understatement to say that we live in troubling times and Bayani serves as the autobiography, the voice, and the seer stone of today’s world. here are very few hip-hop albums where the beats marry so well to the rhymes, creating deep, vibrant, and rich moods and feelings.

The album isn’t all apocalyptic though. The album’s strongest track “Morning for America” is warm and inspiring, creating an air of optimism through its narrative of growing up in modern America. The disc’s closer “Joe Metro” is equally uplifting full of the potential of the world.

Bayani is a summer road trip around the globe. All you have to do is sit back, let Sabzi drive, and let Geologic point out things along the way. The album is very persuasive and makes me think that the world, country, and city would be a better place if the Scholars were in power. Fuck Greg Nickels, I’ll be voting for the Blue Scholars.

This record is what hip-hop was made for, powerful messages that cover the problems and feelings of the world from Seattle to Baghdad and everywhere and everything in-between.