CD version release: July 1, 2008
Being a big fan of Little Brother, I'm kinda surprised that I haven't reviewed their projects in a while. I was expecting myself to have this album reviewed during the Autumn of 2016. But then again, I finally got around and listened to this album like late last year, ha.
Anyway, let's go through a quick recap. The North Carolina trio, consisting of Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh & producer 9th Wonder, released their sophomore album The Minstrel Show back in September 2005. Capitalizing off the acclaim they were receiving from the album, LB were continuing to be consistent with the new music, as they were working on their third album. March 2006 saw the release of the DJ Drama-hosted mixtape Separate but Equal, which was the last project from the duo/trio that I reviewed. However, just after the tape, LB turned from a trio from a duo, with 9th Wonder leaving to fully pursue his solo career.
In February 2007, Little Brother released what was basically their first project as a duo, ...and justus for all. Serving as another prelude to their then-upcoming third album Getback, the mixtape was hosted by DJ Mick Boogie, featuring a compilation of original tracks, freestyles, remixes and songs both Phonte & Rapper Big Pooh featured on individually and together. This was also the first project with no production from 9th at all, outside of the "Cross That Line" and "Let It Go" remixes. In July 2008, almost a year after Getback, the no DJ version was released to retailers, omitting the skits, freestyles and all that; also featuring two tracks that were released during the Getback promo run. I preferred to go with this version, rather than the original mixtape version, obviously giving a better first listen than if I were to go with the original. And you know what... it's actually pretty decent.
...and justus for all is one of the projects I'd rank almost at the bottom of Little Brother's discography, which says a lot because the mixtape is actually a bit decent, there are just a few more flaws. The lack of 9th Wonder production is definitely something that can put a lot of fans off, especially if they're going into Little Brother's later projects post-Minstrel Show. But the duo sure do hold their own over various production from those including Khrysis, Nottz, Oddisee, Focus... and DJ Spinna. Just like their last tape Separate but Equal, the mixtape is more strictly rapping, with no proper concept like their first two albums. "Can't Stop Us" is the opening track, which gets us straight into the point of the whole project's mood. Chaundon is a feature on this song, and he delivers pretty hard, while the instrumental from Young Cee is something real hardhitting but smooth. "Delusional" features both a guest appearance and production from Oddisee, and is more of a smooth radio-friendly groove, which sees all 3 rap about how mesmerized they feel towards the girls they're eyeing. Phonte brings out his vocals for the catchy ass hook, and he does his thing real smooth on that.
The bad moments are pretty much forgettable as hell, and these include the solo Pooh joints, "Lose It" and "Stylin", but damn, do the good moments hit real hard!! "Life of the Party" originally appeared on the Hall of Justus compilation album back in '06, but it's still such a banger on this tape as well. The song is remixed with a verse from underground rapper Skillz and he does his thing on it. Other than that, it's just a song you can easily groove to, thanks to the hard ass Nottz beat. "Cool as a Fan" and "The Pressure" are both two of my favourite songs on the mixtape, with production from the one and only Khrysis. both sees the duo touching on their new-found success since The Minstrel Show, especially Phonte's verses. "Never Leave" has actually grown on me a bit, and I enjoy it a lot more than I did the first few times hearing it. Both Pooh and 'Te were spitting hard on that song too. Phonte & Tanya Morgan member Von Pea link up for "A Word from Our Sponsors", which is a solid showcase of the two doing what they do best. Von Pea's verse was nice, but as usual, 'Te stole the show with his bars. "Do It to Death" is another highlight, which features Supastition & Rhymefest, and it bangs so hard at the gym too. All four rappers deliver pretty well, especially Rhymefest; and the beat is so mesmerizing, it's crazy! By track 11 of the tape, it does fall real flat though, with weaker moments such as "Fan Mail", "Lose It" and "Stylin'". The remix of "Cross That Line" with Kardinal Offishall wasn't necessary for me, and the original was one of my favourites off Separate but Equal as well. The last track, "Time of Your Life" was lowkey hitting though.
In conclusion, ...and justus for all fully marks the start of Little Brother's career as a duo, and makes for a decent prelude to their next album. The production was hitting most of the time (from track 1 to 10 though), the chemistry between Pooh & Phonte was still on point, and 'Te especially was definitely delivering some hot fire in his verses, just like he's been doing since the group's debut. However, unlike their past projects like The Chittlin' Circuit and even Separate but Equal, there are a few more weaker and forgettable moments, which does affect the project's replay value. Don't worry though, the actual album Getback is way better than this, but I do appreciate this mixtape being something for fans at that time to hold them over until Getback dropped. I'd rank this at the bottom tho, not only is it the weakest mixtape they've done, it's even their weakest project overall. But hey, it is what it is...
Recommended Tracks: "Cool as a Fan", "The Pressure", "Delusional", "Can't Stop Us", "Do It to Death", "Never Leave", "Life of the Party", "Too Late for Us", "Time of Your Life", "Best Kept Secret"
No comments:
Post a Comment