(Mikkyo)

This is actually a review no one asked me to do. I just saw it on my Spotify feed and remembered how much I loved the previous time these two linked up and knew I had to be a part of what they had cooking this time around, so with that in mind let’s get into this!

This is the brand-new collaboration project between MC Father Don Juan and Producer bop phrases! Together they drop a seven-track, twelve-minute extraction of the purest artistic direction and style. No features, just the two of them combining their efforts to create hip-hop magic!

May as well start with the production for this one. As was the case for the previous effort, we hear bop utilise his sharp and powerful ambiance that engulfs every aspect of the instrumentals. I’m talking about that type of production that opens a portal into the soul and makes you feel a certain way! 

So many tracks maintained my attention! For example, we have the track -Heart Under Blade interlude. This track sounded absolutely gorgeous! You have this melodic flute sample, combined with some ambient chord progression that sounds like subtle violin and some delicate piano keys that come together with some very skeletal drum notes that work underneath all the sounds! 

There’s the track -Sun Bright which provides the listener with a more acoustic/abstract approach to the beat. With those plucked guitar strings, heavy-handed vocal sample snippets with two different parts to it!

There’s also what sounds like a maraca? Either way, a lot more of a bold and raw instrumental compared to others!

Even if we look at -Mature2Endure Freestyle which takes a dive into the section of Jazz mixed with angelic choir-style vocal harmonies! We have those iconic Jazz notes on a loop with some subtle piano keys and that above-mentioned vocals on a tasteful loop! 

This track also contains some subtle, almost non-noticeable glistening keys that can be found in the background! 

We are getting a diverse taste of infused and genres this time around, and with someone as masterful as Bop, it’s all I could ever ask for! 

As far as the MC side goes, this is the one area I feel is different compared to the first album! The contrast being the first record he had a more poetic essence to him that I felt has been replaced with a more aggressive and raw take on the mic that has the intention of being more spontaneous and lively!

I also have to point out the fact that at the end of these tracks it does state – Interlude or Freestyle, so perhaps I shouldn’t be judging this change too hard if this is merely a quick off-the-top project not meant to be taken too seriously and more focused on the energy and authentic live performances, in which case, that’s awesome!

I do feel Father is showing us what he can do with a more freelance lane, and if this is him just spitballing, I can’t imagine (well, we did see on the last one) but puts into question just how ridiculously talented he is when he’s locked in!

Across this tape, we do see small glimpses of his poetic potential with thought-provoking messages and borderline spoken word passages thrown in with the gangsta, brash talk, and I feel it did turn out to be solid and well-rounded! 

He still maintains his sharp flow, his incredible pen game, and income wordplay, as well as a distinctive charisma that I haven’t heard anyone else utilise before! A true one-of-one personality! 

So, although different to the first one, it has enough strong qualities to make this a project worth checking out below! The chemistry is still strong, and both men bring something new and exciting to the table! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/13l8Fuxfo9ZAmuGvCvZY8Z?si=w-6wlKx9R–7lhAzXFtFgQ