Connecticut rap legend, cousin of the long forgotten Stezo, mentor to Stones Throw label don Egon, presenter of numerous hip-hop related TV shows, Dooley-O has been there, seen it and pretty much wrote the book before most anyone else you care to mention. Now, via a much convoluted career path, the man releases his first full length debut album for your hip-hop collection’s enrichment. Anyone who’s caught his style (“Watch My Moves” is a classic) knows the score, and won’t be disappointed. From the classic R&B riffing “Intro” to “I Gotcha” through “What You Know About Hip-Hop?” and “Monday Night”, Dooley-O delivers lyrics and styles that instinctively know the roots of the game and the pitfalls that wait for the unwary. Check the deconstruction of corporate rap propagated by channels like MTV on “Soaps” for a perfect example. Similarly, in a time when most MCs get crowded out by guests on their own recordings, it’s refreshing to hear a guy who’s got the verbiage to carry off practically the entire recording single handedly. It may have been a long time coming, but you know this guy has earned his respect – true-school all the way.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: DARREN WALL
