Talk about an EXCITING DAY! It’s been easily a few months since I last covered this man on an older record nonetheless, and now I get the opportunity to review a brand new album by one of the strongest lyricists in the underground! Let’s talk about it!
This is the brand new album by MC Jamal Gasol and features the producers of
-Vanderslice
-Cedar Law$
-The StandOuts
-Sonny Carson
-P.A. Dre
-AKOUSTICFUNKBOT
-Baritone Brown
-Kool Majors
And MC’s
-Kelzkillher
-Toney Boi
And fuck, I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this! This shit is INCREDIBLE! I have to start with the production because at first I was worried when I saw such a long list of names (I’ve always gravitated more towards single producer/single artist formula), but in this case, this wide range of beat makers makes for a compelling and sound wheel of influences that never leaves a boring moment!
For example, that opening track ‘Respectfully’ has this incredibly chilling boom bap sound by Vanderslice. With those methodically paced keys, surreal drums, and heavy bass thick enough to knock your socks off!
This beat screams East Coast Hardcore vibes, and I love it!
Also, love how Jamal adds the word ‘Respectfully’ every few bars! It’s a nice addition to the track!
But to my surprise, as soon as the next song played ‘Life Is A Gamble’ by Cedar Law$, we hear one of the most beautifully crafted soul-sampled tracks I’ve EVER heard in the game!
We have those funky horns in the forefront, alongside those plucked strings and smooth drum beats that melt your mind and body at the same time!
There’s also some relaxing what sounds like sharp violin in the background, helping the track reach its climax! To say this instrumental is infectious would be a massive understatement!
Also, another track I fuck with heavily is ‘Little Money’ by Producer AKOUSTICFUNKBOT’ because similar to the second track, it has a heavy, funk/soul vibe to it that I fell in love with! With those dreamy long keys, plucked strings, short notes synth chords, as well as an absolutely gorgeous vocal harmony to make this track angelic as fuck!
All this to say that, even though multiple heads in the kitchen can sometimes cause chaos, today they found that sweet spot of arrangements and harmony that is rarely found in a situation like this! Nothing but respect to everyone involved!
Now onto Jamal. As I said, he’s one of the most underrated MC’s in the culture right now as he’s a man who makes sure all his verses feel larger than life and grand in execution. It’s less like he’s spitting ‘bars’ more than he is spitting sermons that activate the brain and soul!
On this project, he’s got powerful words and eccentric charisma! His flow is equal parts sharp and melodic in his own style. It’s like his pen game is quick slashes to the throat too quick for anyone to notice before it’s too late.
Nothing explosive or heavy, just slick and deadly force from the pen of a master! I love how vivid he can make his imagery when he wants to or how down to earth and no nonsense he can execute it in the same breath depending on his mood!
The main thing to take away from his style is that he’s always calm, composed, and in his element on the production! Never one to feel awkward or uncomfortable, never hearing him screw up or make a track that doesn’t feel completely flawless because he’s a MC who’s always going to take control and make the music he wants!
I found myself immersed in this project from the very end! No filler tracks, just banger after banger, and I hope more people can hear this incredible chemistry between producers and rappers! Check this out now! Shoutout to all the features involved!
https://open.spotify.com/album/2bBLex3fT6RBsA7VQpF4Cc?si=j8izNnTHQH2jggn_zfKo5A
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