Respect to Zion I...
Echoing the reviews of others here... respects due for an absolutely superb album, one of my favourites of all time... deep spiritual lyrics about where to focus one's energies and Zion I is right on the mark. Concious hip hop that just goes on and on with the flava's... I cannot switch it off and it never ceases to be relevant to my daily missions... Production is phat, love the breaks, stripped down but not too sparse, just a different sound to the mainstream out there in every regard. 5 stars and extremely highly recommended by myself. Big up all Zion I massive!
MY FAVORITE ALBUM EVER!
This has got to be the most complete Hip Hop Album ever made! This cat has everything a rapper needs, excellent production (love those Primo beatz!), excellent flow and excellent lyrics...! This Album also has some Trance-like songs on it which might not be for everyone, but I thought it was a brilliant idea, no one I know has ever mixed these styles before! I can't say anything else than what probably has been said already, so I'll just have to say: BUY THIS CD, it's worth every penny! This is the best Album I have ever heard and I have A LOT of rap cd's! Overall rating: 10/5 stars! I know it's not possible, but this CD deserves it! Can't wait for his sophomore album! Zion I rulez!
Hypnotic. One of the most complete albums I own.
Zion's thoughtful and crisply pronounced lyrics blend surprisingly well with an otherwise fundamental hip-hop/electronic production by amp live and DJKG. Speaking strictly from a listeners perspective, I listened to this for the first time while I was driving at night, and I found the smooth baselines overwhelmingly hypnotic. There is a lot of complexity and attention paid to the lead instruments as well. I think almost any music lover, regardless of their attitude towards hip-hop in general, can find a way to enjoy what this album has to offer.
Classic ? I think so.
I have become so familiar with this album,it's like an old pillow.Always waiting to make you feel better and relieve tension.Ok maybe not but it's dope nonetheless.Some people are complaing about his voice,I like it,that's who he is.Would you rather him sound like everyone else?I would'nt.I've never heard anyone complain about em's voice and I think his is pretty annoying.There's a diversity in the production you don't get many other place,most notably the drum and bass/jungle influence on songs like "Elevation" and "Inner Light".If that does'nt get you just check out "Silly Puddy" and " Trippin" and you should start to understand.Then buy it,then go see them live.You'll look cooler in the eyes of your peers.
Beyond the lines of common HipHop - Musically inclined...
okay, it always depends on what people are used to in order to rate an artist or an album - i am certainly into alot of fresh things out and this labum presented a new era to me. it made me understand that hiphop is the description of music that can take any direction of genre. on this cd, there is no single track that i would not concider unorthodox or anywhere near common music. it contains several elements that i would never have dreamed of hearing in a hiphop tune - this cd is the soundtrack to the inner light that rates the mind higher than the matter, as the albumname says appropriately. a few tracks have slow, laid back rhythms, the lyrics possess savvy and critical messages, some tracks are drum-n-bass instrumentals mixed with zion's soft voice that makes you feel well in your own shoes, it is amazing. most of the choruses are catching and tell you alot about their way of thinking and massge the brain. +++ the features on this record are partly lyrical masters like the cali agents or 427, one track that has a beat from beyond is "silly puddy" which features the grouch from the huge movement "living legends" who bring fresh air into the brains of undergroundheads! i am definetely amazed of this release and whoever listened to this cd, bewtween ages 17 and 56 concidered it as an immaculate milestone in the culture of hiphop and sophisticated mic profession, even if they were prejudiced against the hiphop genre or never even wanted to hear such ish... i have now been listening to it for about 2 years and i will be able to listen to it after the next 5 will have passed. if you want a reform in your cd-crib, if you want a new type of sound that is amazing, then cop this cd and you will not regret it! every single track has its own idiosyncrasy with so many beatiful and smashing instruments, even indian beats have been mastered by the amp live studios.... anyone who gets hold of this cd, will appreciate the sound - that's all there is to it! you can also purchase this record as instrumental version on vinyl
best cuts: actually none, all these quality tracks as a combination form this sphere that can roll eternally, because it is universally equipped...
wishing peace & hapiness to all of you!
Innovative and engaging, Zion I's Mind over Matter succeeds because of its impressive conceptual execution. The Bay Area trio of Zion, Amp Live, and DJ K-Genius set the tone with the old-school energy of "Revolution (B-boy Anthem)," reawakening hip-hop's subversive impulses. Spiritual--not economic--uplift is the focus of this album, and Zion's meditative lyrics deconstruct materialist craving ("Venus") and deliver stream-of-consciousness musing ("How Many"). Zion I avoid being overly earnest, tossing in no-frills bangers ("Critical" with Planet Asia), and also tastefully embrace drum & bass on the previously released single "Inner Light" and the soothing instrumental "Metropolis." This versatile and progressive musical ambience, courtesy of the knob-twiddling of 418Hz Productions, mirrors their lyrical tone, serving up a nourishing blend of beats and rhymes. --Del. F. Cowie
Hip Hop. Debut Album from Zion I. 21 Tracks Including: Creation, Critical, Mysterious Wayz, Concrete Jungle, etc.
