Del the Funky Homosapien and Tame One funk it up old school Motown styles with Parallel Uni-Verses. I swear, at times I’m back in the late 90’s with this one, where I would say hip-hop and rap were peaking. This is a strong collaborative work, bridging East (Tame) and West Coast (Del), a potent amalgam from two renowned but relatively low-key rappers. Del has been on the scene longer, but has had an unsteady career, starting strong and young writing for cousin Ice Cube and then going solo before burning up, but now he’s on the rise again. On the other side of the equation we have Tame, a former member of Artifacts, who has had a prolific solo career with decent exposure. So, this union was fitting and promising from the start. The rap style is a unique combination with Tame being a little staccato at times, which is characteristic of his careless, fatuous style. Conversely, Del is rhythmic as ever, scrupulously flowing and true to every beat, a veritable old school Method Man (he reminds me of a softer voiced Chuck D). The music on these tracks kick it, and the rhymes are often humorous, but still have plenty of politically charged substance true to rap criteria. Life Sucks goes right at the pervading sense of apathy and power hunger on the streets though it sits on the fence in its resolution. Teddy is by far my favorite track with the aesthetics here rising to a hip-hop apogee, compiling all the influences it has absorbed from Motown and funk – that kind of music that loosens up even the stiffest body. Despite some static moments in the lyrics, the style and groove is impressive. This is a good record for old school rap fanatics.
David Rozon
Key Tracks: Keep It Up, Flashback, Teddy, We Taking Over
Moods: Street-Smart, Confident, Brash, Freewheeling, Druggy, Humorous
Buy: Parallel Uni-Verses
related
- Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings – I Learned the Hard Way
- Funk Guitarist Phelps “Catfish” Collins Passes Away at 66
- Snoop Dogg – Malice N Wonderland
