One Be Lo - S O N O G R a M
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CD Details
Artist: One Be LoEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2005-02-08
Music Label: Fat Beats
Soundtracks:
- Intro(1)
- The UNDERground
- EnecS Eht No KcaB
- Questions
- Oggie
- Propaganda
- The Ghetto
- Axis
- Sleepwalking
- True Love
- Interlude
- Used 2 Be Fly
- Deceptacons
- Can't Get Enough
- Assassinations
- Evil Of Self
- The Future
- E.T.
- The Capital IST
- Rocketship
- Unparalleled
- Follow My Lead
Music reviews of S O N O G R a M
Music Review: "Hip hop took a loss, I'm here to bring it back like ROGAINE!" (4.5/5)
Rating: 5 Stars
One Be Lo's 2005 album "S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M." was my introduction to the Michigan MC, who prior to this album was known as One Man Army and released a solo album and was a member of the group Binary Star with Senim Silla and Decompoze. Upon first listen, I was immediately taken by One Be Lo's passion, lyrical content, and overall product. One Be Lo has a likable, staccato flow and tends to grab the listener into his verses with great first lines. From a technical standpoint, he's an awesome rapper, able to flow seamlessly on the beat, writing very catchy hooks, and exhibiting great breath control and syllable placement. But his appeal is much deeper, stemming from beautifully composed verses and deep subject matter. One Be Lo is a Muslim, an ex-con, a father, a philsopher, but most importantly an observer, and each of these persons contributes to his lyrical product. His thoughtful verses may question or challenge a societal issue, express philosophy with a tinge of his converted Islamic spirit, vent pure emotion, or just emanate smilingly clever performance. He's a unique and engaging rapper, but "S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M." is multi-dimensional in that it's interesting musically as well. Some of the beats carry a slightly mechanical sound to them, but the best feature multiple layers of clever instrumentation and catchy bars. Throughout the album, skits and sound bytes containing samples of speeches, radio broadcasts, and television shows add to the social relevance and help create the mood, often a bit mysterious but never quite menacing. "S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M." is nearly 80 minutes in duration and too long for a single comprehensive listen, but it's actually quite consistent for its quantity, and there are no bad songs among the tracklist. For those who aren't familiar with the unique talent of One Be Lo, I highly recommend "S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M."
Following a nice intro, the album opens with "The Underground," where One Be Lo celebrates the alternative rap genre over an energetic track. I absolutely love "Enesc No Eht Kcab," (that's "Back on the Scene" backwards), which has a gorgeous, soulful, and relaxing beat reminiscent of Pete Rock in his Soul Survivor days. The lyrics are thoughtful and deep, touching on spirituality, social issues, and personal philosophy. "Questions" with Abdus Salaam asks concerning pressing social issues over a frenetic musical backing, and it gives way to "Oggie," where One Be Lo continues to spit deep philosopy over a dark beat anchored by an oboe sample. "Propaganda" is a cool, twangy track where the MC profiles problems in media and the way we interpret it. "The Ghetto" uses the familiar concept of a trip through the depressed hood, but One Be Lo makes it powerful with his passionate descriptions and the mournful production. Lines such as "How they go'n do homework when they homes don't work / They can't read books cause the lights don't work" convey the message he is trying to put across. "Axis" is another beautiful song, with classy production and socially relevant lyricism. The solid "Sleepwalking" attempts to wake up those still sleeping on this MC ("Everytime I release classic material, you get a CD for ten, but I sign it for free"). Another of my favorites is the truly wonderful "True Love," where he and Decompoze speak of a relationship, aided by a classy piano line. "Used 2 Be Fly" is a fun lyrical highlight, among the most clever on this album. The thoughtful, breezy "Decepticons" and capturing "Can't Get Enough," which assesses the evils of drug trade, are both nice late-album tracks, while "Evil of Self" with Abdus Salaam is similarly nice. "The Future" displays a forward-thinking mindstate, giving worthy advice over nice instrumentals, and "E.T." again elaborates upon a shining relationship with a xylophone and sax interpolated on the beat. The well-produced "Rocketship" looks at the state of the hip hop industry and One Be Lo's own contribution. The album rounds out with the exuberant "Unparallelled" and self-explanatory "Follow My Lead."
"S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M." is a strictly underground hip hop album, but it appeals on so many levels that I think a broad range of hip hop fans will like it. Those who like the independent, forward thinking rap of Mos Def and Talib Kweli, fans of today's underground production style, fans of yesteryear's political, socially conscious rap a la Public Enemy and Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, or artistic alternative rap like the Native Tongues posse will dig One Be Lo, as will many others. Artistic, talented, and a man with a purpose, One Be Lo is certainly a man to be heard on the mic, celebrating true underground spirit, and this album is wonderful. Even those not engrained in the current underground scene will ease into "S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M."'s tracks. Despite what many may say based on the top 40 charts and the music that dominates our commercial airwaves, great hip hop is still being made, sometimes it just needs to be looked for a little harder these days. His crew, including Senim Silla, Decompoze, and other related artists are putting out a high volume of great hip hop right now. Definitely consider picking up this album, as well as his forthcoming LP and his past work, including Project: F.E.T.U.S. and Masters of the Universe.
Description of S O N O G R a M
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