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vol. 2

So it's been a little while and for that, i apologize. A lot has transpired since the last volume of In RE:TRuSPECT. In fact, the albums i had planned to cover this time around have even changed at the last minute. Have no fear, i'm sure that we'll revisit those albums another time, but for this volume, we're going to party like it's 1999 with two hip-hop classics that dropped right before the turn of the century.

If you're not into hip-hop, please accept my apologies up front. I generally try to balance out the coverage so that there's a little something for everyone, but for various reasons, both of these albums jumped back into my path this past week.

And now, without further delay let's dig into these crates and see what bubbles up.

ALBUM TITLE: The Rise And Fall of Brainwash Projects :: ARTIST: Brainwash Projects :: RELEASE DATE 1999

I recently went through all my CDs and catalogued them (a task i may be revisiting soon) and when i got to the B's i was reminded of the BPs and i made a mental note to add this to the short list of albums to include in one of these features. I packed it away and moved on.

Then, the other day i just needed to hear some Pigeon John and the quickest fix was actually Pigeon John Sings the Blues. I enjoyed that album a lot as i rediscovered the depth of PJ's lyrics, but clearly that's not old enough to be featured here, so i dug back into the boxes and pulled out this album.

Here we have the pleasure of catching Pigeon John in the making and we get the added bonus of the witty lyricism of his partner, bTwice. My earliest memory of Brainwash Projects came on a compilation cassette tape - one of many such releases that i picked up back in those days for about 99 cents each. It wasn't until a few years later that i stumbled upon this disc in the demo bin of a local Christian bookstore (what a gem).

One of the big highlights on this album, is a duo of tracks on the front end, "Want for Nada" and "The Daydreamers." After the somewhat frivolous opening track, the tone turns fairly serious with "Nada," a song about being content with what we have and waiting on God's direction. Following on the heels of that message is a description of the source of the duo's frustration - working a nine-to-five that is unfulfilling while trying to pursue a calling they're certain is their ultimate destiny.

The remainder of the album bounces between frolicking rhythms and slower tunes, light-hearted lyrics and verses that delve into deeper, more mature themes. And i want to issue fair warning, some of the lyrics end up being slightly coarse (specifically there's some usage of the n-word), but overall, the album is genuine and was a strong starting point for Pigeon John as part of LA Symphony and a solo artist.

ALBUM TITLE: No Plan B :: ARTIST: 4th Avenue Jones :: RELEASE DATE 1999

And in this corner... Okay, so this isn't a competition or anything, but as the BPs were making some waves in the LA hip-hop scene, a group known as 4th Avenue Jones was also emerging on the scene. Fronted by the married couple of Ahmad and Teena Jones, the group brought a fresh set of lyrics and style that turned many a hip-hop head. Through in some label controversy and No Plan B has become something of a legendary album - and rightfully so.

Ahmad Jones had already been through the process of being on a label, touring, doing publicity and all that goes along with making an album as a solo artist, releasing a self-titled record five years prior to the forming 4th Avenue Jones. It was actually the recent announcement of a new solo album in the works that inspired me to include this album here.

All that said, this album, which is now a decade old, has aged incredibly well. The beats are still as fresh as ever and, if it was released this week, it would still push hip-hop heads back on their heels. Aside from the unmistakable delivery from the Joneses, the third member of the crew, Senoj drops solid verses throughout the album that adds a gritty feel to the tracks.

Some highlights on the album include the title track which closes the album off with a swirling rhythm and a solid message, the throwback, "Back in the Day part 2," which recalls Ahmad's hit single from his solo debut and "Move the Crowd" which offers a hint toward the future endeavors of 4th Avenue Jones, using a multi-layered beat and a mesmorizing combination of styles. Perhaps the most stunning of tracks, however, is "All I Have," which offers Ahmad a vehicle to share his story as a prayer to God, asking for strength and promising to offer God everything.

All in all, No Plan B is a hip-hop classic that has not only stood the test of time, but has set the standard for heartfelt, artistic hip-hop for years to come.

And that's a (w)rap. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Keep it locked for the next volume soon (maybe sooner than you think).

Brainwash Projects are reportedly working on a new project, but you can pick up a copy of The Rise and Fall at Amazon.com or digitally at iTunes

No Plan B is a little harder to come by since it was an independent release, but you can grap a copy at the one and only SphereOfHipHop.com

Don't forget to send any thoughts, comments or suggestions to me at "TRuMoments" via gmail.com. (While you're at it, you can ask to join the newsletter, too. Don't worry, I won't add you unless you ask).

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