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Liberator 5.2
Every now and then there comes along an
album that seems to have an awkward introduction, and is placed on the
backburner. Well for this particular album the third time was definitely
the charm. The long anticipated release of "Expansions and Contractions"
is a journey that travels the entire spectrum of African American
culture through music. "Expansions and Contractions" is like a
mood-altering chemical. It is the new millennium answer to the Last
Poets, the obvious inspiration for the song "Tic Toc." Truth Maze a
world-renowned beat boxer, percussionist and poet/emcee explores the
range of his talents with-out sounding preachy and remains humble
throughout his presentation. The album not only addresses the issues of
the urban dweller politically but spiritually as well. Truth Maze
creates his own universe without borders, while delivering smack downs
on the government, West Nile Virus and the daily struggles of city
life. Truth Maze has managed, with the help of TruRuts, to produce an
album that will stand the test of time and will more than likely be
considered a spoken word classic in the years to come, although the
album truly cannot be categorized that simply. The back and fourth
between blues and Spoken Word, Rock-n-Roll and Hip-Hop make this album
the first of its kind, at least to be released on a local level. The
frantic but rhythmic drum patterns and chants, the lyrical delivery with
strategic repetition and vocal gymnastics draws you in, as did many of
the Last Poets' joints. Among the stand out tracks are "Dat Rhythm"
which actually gave me goose bumps; the references to my childhood, pop
culture mixed with the melody and production on this track make it a
standout. "Dat Rhythm" is a classic pop song. Not a pop song in the way
of The Black Eyed Peas or Dem Franchise Boys, but the references to the
pop culture of the late seventies early 80's. The Slee Stacks from "Lost
in Space" to the Bugaloos and Gary Gnew on the "Great Space
Coaster." The lyrics throw back to a time when we were kids with no
burdens, yet still manages to splice in the references to the Universal
Drum and the role the ancestors play. Although pop, "Dat Rhythm" is far
from corny and has the qualities to carry the album along
way. "Expansions and Contractions" has all the makings of a classic
spoken word and experimental album that explores the entire genre of
African music. From the traditionally spiritual dedication "Pray for
Olodumare" and the grimy southern blues feel of the "North Side Blues
Song, "the classic soulful and jazzy" I Love, "featuring Aimee Bryanton
background vocals, pulls together a host of classic jazz musicians
including Jim Antonon bass, Brian Gallager on flute, Tommy Barberella on
clarinet, Tom Scott on the Rhodes and programming by Fafu. The album
also features music by the legendary Donald Washington, who wrote the
music to "Forever Heavies." Truth Maze piece on the feisty West Nile
Virus places the album in the music scene of Brooklyn, NY with its
combination of spoken word and rock that is reminiscent of the direction
currently being explored by Saul Williams and is being discovered by
other classic Hip-Hop artists like Mos Def and Andre 3000. Truth Maze
has also brought in Hip-Hop heavyweights Muja Messiah and I-Self Devine.
"What it Took" introduces Mystic Blu and features I-Self. Truth Maze
also brings in the hood famous blaqk money that assists Truth Maze and
Muja in the blazing of "FreeUp." The anticipated release of "Expansions
and Contractions" is everything the loyal fans of Brother Heru AKA Truth
Maze, expected and even more. It takes a little while to grow on you, as
do most classics but it is one of those albums that grow with you both
spiritually and politically, makes you think and want to be more;
something, even if you don't know exactly what that something is. The
Liberator predicts a classic in "Expansions and Contractions," although
its experimental content may be a little different than what you expect,
it is an album that represents the new (sub)urban sounds of Hip-Hop
coming full circle, and is worth the listen |
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