Madlib cracks out the beats as producer for Strong Arm Steady’s latest release, “In Search Of Stoney Jackson”. Krondon, Phil Da Agony Mitchy Slick have worked the LA rap scene for some years, releasing “Deep Hearted” in 2007, but also adopting the NY mixtape formula for the West Coast, collaborating with numerous well known rappers and producers along the way. Maybe it’s this approach that makes “In Search Of..” feel like an authentic classic before it’s even been released. It’s got plenty of guest MCs (Talib Kweli, Planet Asia, Evidence, Guilty Simpson, etc), is stuffed full of both obscure and recognisable funk, soul, rock and hip-hop samples, a constantly changing backbeat, and lots of old school production techniques. But crucially it’s not merely a montage of lesser albums – Madlib’s always on fire production and Strong Arm Steady’s excellent lyrical flow (Krondon & Phil Da Agony provide most of the rhymes), adapting easily whether it’s a woozy electronic noodle or a boom-bap headnod moment, all combine to create a uniquely individual album, despite the many constituent parts. Lyrically, they make astute observations about the gaps in perception between the rich and the poor, put the recent economic crisis into context, wonder about past loves and lives lived, and ask for another fat one. In essence, it’s hip-hop, 2010 style, as bold and timeless as it’s always been.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Darren Wall