You know, often times when you hear ‘compilation’ you can get mixed reactions. Some worry that it might be one of those unnecessary song hauls onto the fan base that don’t contain the same quality or standard that normal studio releases have.
Others tend to be sceptical as to their nature or expectations compared to other types of drops. But for me it’s all about the artist in question! I’ve heard some absolute dog shit compilations, others have been some of my favourite releases from the artist in question.
One thing is for sure though, this is a man who is nothing if not ‘thorough’ and has the awareness and knowledge not to make these said mistakes, so in saying all this let’s get into it
THE LAST CALL
This is the compilation album by MC J.O
It consists of 9 tracks with a variety of producers such as
-Korza
-VVS Tears
-Old Souly
-BoneWeso
-Kenny Prosper
-Renaissance Tone
And when we start talking about the MC work, this is the most vibrant I’ve heard him period. He’s always had the magic touch of his smooth, unpredictable and powerful vocal performances but it honestly feels like he’s turned a new leaf on this one as each track feels more compelling than the last.
When you have an MC who sounds spectacular on his worst day, what do you think would happen when you compile all his BEST picks? You’re bound to get nothing less than perfection.
I found myself completely absorbed by his lyricism, the way he can hypnotise you with his manipulation of the English language, the way he can mix and match his vocabulary to go in different spots, wrap around the beat, be sharp enough to cut the beat off whatever he wants he makes it happen with his thoughts alone!
He reminds me of MF DOOM in that way, the way he can structure the wordplay in such a way that the words feel alive, as if he’s playing a game of lyrics Tetris putting his bars and verses in unique positions that sound absolutely velvety in execution!
And not only that, as I’ve said in previous reviews, it’s the way he manifests his performance! He’s not ‘rapping’, he’s preaching and presenting the culture with an experience unlike any other, and it shows on this one! I had no idea his handpicked best work would be this solid! It truly is a gift to the fans!
Speaking of the production side of things, it’s just as compelling as the vocals. Every person on this list is an A+ produced in their own right, and so it’s only natural that these nine tracks hit as hard as they do!
Trying to play a game of DEVIL’S ADVOCATE and pick a favourite beat would be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, so instead, I’ll choose three that I want to highlight!
Starting with -Higher, this song was soulful excellence at its strongest. First, you have those angelic vocal harmonies looping around the beat, as well as a separate vocal layer that works its way in a more forefront position on the track!
Accompanying all that, we have those thick bass lines, those funky drum beats, those plucked strings that are as elegant as they are sharp! This is one of those beats that just put you at ease immediately! Everything runs smoothly.
The next song has to be -Lazarus, this song done by one of my favourite producers, period -BoneWeso, and as usual, he doesn’t miss on this track either!
We have these mellow jazz horns that loop and wrap themselves around this beat alongside some more layered chord progressions that’s a tad bit more present and forward. We have some methodically paced drum beats as this whole song being one of the more skeletal on the whole project but one that I find deeply moving.
I also love how there’s a tiny window of silence before the instrumentation kicks off again, giving the illusion of finishing before the instruments come back to life! I thought that was a nice touch as well!
And then we have -When I Want To, and I loved this song because it was one of the more left-field songs on the record. This has a strong mainstream trap feel to it that I found incredible! On some prime Migos shit, I was bopping my head to this one the entire duration of the song! You’ve got those subtle key loops as well as those heavy/in-your-face bass lines and infectious beat progression that I legit couldn’t stop grooving to! I caught myself surrounded by people just moving by body without a care in the world!
At the end of the day, compilation or not, THIS IS A DOPE AS FUCK ALBUM. It’s got the variety to satisfy any hip-hop head, and the performances are killer! Give it a listen now!
https://jo2024.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-call-ep
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