Remember the three volumes of Rare Stacks mix CD’s that Showbiz hosted, where he played an hours worth of dope, and largely unused, breaks? Apparently Molecules from The Legion does, since he snatched up some of the finest moments from those compilations and rapped over them on this new EP, with a few new tracks thrown in for goods measure. While I usually approach these type of projects with a healthy level of cautious skepticism, the fact that Show and ‘Cules have adopted a back-to basics approach has paid off in spades.
‘Bad Guy’ feat. Money Ray
Great beat and solid, no nonsense delivery. Off to a great start here.
‘Good Life’
I’ve never been a fan of these more laid-back type of ‘glamorous life’ style songs. Molecules sounds better when he’s rapping with more urgency.
‘Hardcore’ feat. Dres
‘Cules is in top form here, riding the loud drums and horn stab with maximum effectiveness. Likewise, Dres turns in a quality performance. The term ‘popcorn music’ is a term I might need to adopt.
‘Heist’
The music on this is nothing short of incredible, while the storytelling recalls the classic ‘Revenge’ that Molecules and Show did for that Japanese DITC album.
‘Jungle’
A rapper’s voice is everything, and Molecules has been blessed with an ideal timbre for rhyming, especially over ill loops like this. This song is already in my top ten for 2017.
‘Methadone Rap’ (feat. The Legion)
Chucky Smash and Cee-Low stop by to complete the reunion over a particularly abrasive drum and guitar riff. As Cee-Low recalls, ‘Yeah, we fell for America’s traps…we’re the results of stacking blacks on blacks.’ This is a lot more effective than any of the new material on The Lost Tapes for some reason – most likely because the beat hits so hard.
Verdict: This is certified dope Bronx rap. After Rosebudd’s Revenge, I consider this the second must-buy vinyl for the year.
After all these years just 6 tracks… On the similar quality level I would consider it as one of the best albums this year – now it’s just a cool little EP.. Wish it was an album..
This is a great record but no song on this effort is near S-T-E-R-E-O off the Lost Tapes EP Robbie.
@Grass: You, sir, are Bushwick Bill buggin’.
100% cosign Robbie. Wished that they picked some of those Showbiz gems for that new Show & A joint…
Incredible ep
I’ve only copped the cules and marciano on wax so far. camp lo demos comes third.
I sincerely hope the showbiz and ag album comes off as hard as ‘bronx tale’.
Will there be a follow up to the ep ? One hopes
I love The Legion. True unsung heroes of rap. Theme + Echo = Krill was and still is ahead of its time. The Lost Tapes was ridiculously slept on by supposed hiphop fans.
This is a great EP, but like Molecules says on Hardcore, “it’s too late!”
Why do they wait so long to go in the lab for the people? The culture needed a swift kick in the butt 15 years ago.
with that being said I want a Chucky Smash solo or a new Legion album. And you bums ass fans better not front on it this time.
@opsta now: I need that Camp Lo demo album vinyl too. Better than the retail version to my ears.
@opsta: Cules promise us a part 2 of the Heist, do he not? Great album I enjoy the b sides instrus as well. I agree that besides Rosebudds this is the must buy lp of 2017 so far. Pure Methadone rap to lean on…