A Long Hot Album

Masta Ace is a genuine legend of the Hip Hop game. A member of 80’s supergroup Marly Marl's Juice crew, founder of Masta Ace Inc, and the man behind 4 great solo Hip Hop albums, has decided to call it day with this album being his last. He has decided to focus his attention on the fledgling label he runs, and thus we come to the last album of this undergound legend. Joining him on this last hurrah are some of the best producers and artists in Hip Hop right now, from 9th Wonder to Jean Grae.

The fact that this is Masta Ace’s last album is really quite sad. I mean when Jay-Z retired did we really care? As good as he was we accepted that Jigga had contributed enough, and there’ll be some one else to fill his shoes. Masta Ace’s situation is different, Masta Ace is holding down all the good things about Hip Hop, he keeps it real, never selling out, and yet can easily be appreciated by even the most ignorant music fan when given the chance. What’s more his albums are always solid, always strong, always must haves… we don’t want people like him retiring. But he has served the Hip hop community well, and before we wave him goodbye, he has blessed us with one more serving of his sharp tongue and mind…

1. The Count - n/a
Intro.

2. Big City - 4/5
Grandiose beat is there to match the theme about New York City, and it parallels well. Masta Ace fixated on his love for NYC lets tales of the city roll off his tongue like a season of Law & Order. Nice representing joint both in the tight production, and Ace’s well crafted rhymes.

3. Good Ol’ Love - 5/5
9th Wonder sounds like he took this beat straight out of the Rza’s bag, but still puts his own stamp on it by keeping it chilled. This whole song just rocks, Masta Ace gives more truisms about Hip Hop and its culture in track then most could do on one hundred. The lyrics are some of the best of 2004, and Masta Ace definitely gets some of my love for this.
”You show me some love,
I’mma show it right back,
I know a tight track,
So I throw it like that,
My limo drives white,
My attorney black,
Show me some love like Bernie Mac”

4. Fats Belvedere - n/a
Skit.

5. Da Grind - 5/5
Gentle beat is brilliant alone, with a great synth, and cool piano loop. The theme on this song is simply about living, but the rhymes are anything but simple. This is a superb introspective track about making the most of one self. Apocalypse also lays down a great verse. This is all so dope.

6. Ace Hood - 4/5
The beat on this track sounds a lot like something you’d hear on a Jay-Z album, and because of that it sounds a little played out, with its sped up voice sampling. Subject matter is equally played out, as tales of trouble in the struggle, take center stage. But as unoriginal most of the elements in this song are, the end product is still a nice piece of Hip Hop, thanks largely because its all done well, and has some real meaning.

7. The Stoop - n/a
Skit.

8. Beautiful - 5/5
I’ve been rocking this song for a couple of months now, and it is easily one of the best songs to come out in a long time. Firstly the heavily synthesised beat is amazing; it positively hypnotises the listener into the world portrayed within the lyrics. And yes the lyrics are equally amazing with Ace painting pictures of a beautiful world, and the beauty that also inhabits it. Rather then simply praise everything, Ace also makes some pertinent observations on how people act, both good and bad. If you don’t get this album (shame on you!) then at the very least grab this song, it will blow you away.
”The most beautifullest thing ever,
And it’s here to bring terror,
To the bling era,
You can feel it in your inner,
It’s like grandma’s house, Thanksgiving dinner”

9. F.A.Y - 4/5
Well it’s Aces show, and he isn’t going out quietly, and lays a verbal smackdown on the Hip Hop and music industry, taking sharp stabs at television, magazines, radio, labels and fellow artists. Strick jumps in with an equally fighting verse. The lyrics are brilliant again (and on point), and this is a perfect parting big finger to all those that f*ck Hip Hop around.
”What a mess I guess,
Saw the stress,
Turned on the radio and I get more depressed,
No wonder I’m kinda bitter,
Strick told me I should quit player hating,
But f*ck it, I ain’t a quitter”

10. Fat’s Crib - n/a
Skit.

11. Soda And Soap - 5/5
First thing that always hits you with this song is DJ Spinna’s superb mellow beat, that just oozes mood. Not long later though you will be digging Aces great story telling skills in full flight, and the dopest hook with the extremely talented Jean Grae. A love song dedicated to Hip Hop uses some great analogies, and is banging at the same time.

12. Do It Man - 4.5/5
Spaghetti Western inspired beat from Marco Polo continues the albums near flawless soundscape. Big Noyd provides his heavy weight support to Masta Aces farewell with this street war track. ‘Gangsta’ these days seems the wrong word to describe this track, not because it ain’t ‘gangsta’, just because people automatically conjure stupid images of Dip Set or G-Unit. This is a quality track all round, but the beat deserves the biggest props.

13. Brooklyn Masala - 5/5
Another brilliant beat is this trip hop like Moby inspired joint from Xplicit. Ace is on fire again here, with some nice rhymes about falling for a beautiful Brooklyn girl. Old school in approach but totally new and fresh in sound this is a great example of innovative production combining with great lyrics.

14. The Proposition - n/a
Skit.

15. Travelocity - 4/5
Humorous rhyme trading song has Ace alongside Punch & Words, swapping stories of sexual encounters while on the road touring. Very witty with a clever beat to go along with the word fun.

16. The Ways - 4/5
Time for Ace to get a little more serious and like always it’s his observations on the Hip Hop industry that are particularly insightful. Here he gives some more thoughts hidden away in a some what eclectic story. Some of the call outs here are straight hilarious as well. Budding MC’s might want to take notes from this song.

17. Wutuwanko - 4/5
Cleaning out the closet time for Masta Ace on this song, as he puts straight some rumours, everything from his rumoured beef with Ghostface, to what he was like when he was growing up. Ed og chimes in with some equally up front lyrics about fact and fiction.

18. The After Party - n/a
Skit.

19. Oh My God - 3/5
The beat is bordering corny, but does have a nice old school feel to it. Rahzel and The Beatnuts join Masta Ace in this fun Hip Hop song with a range of humorous and battle type lyrics. Even with the cool guests this is my least favourite song on the album.

20. Cellmate - n/a
Skit.

21. Revelations - 5/5
Masta Ace takes time to self produce this introspective track, and does a great job, using percussion and guitar to create a calming backdrop. Masta Ace reflects on himself and his career, reminding both himself and us, that he is an MC first and foremost. He also takes time to lash out at fickle Hip Hop fans, and sellout artists. This track hits a home run in every way possible.
”Yall industry n*ggers should be feeling ashame,
Yall like he ain’t in the game,
We stealing the name,
But wait just a sec,
That’s straight disrespect,
If you take sh*t and jet,
Then don’t be late with the cheque”

22. Out Takes - n/a
Bonus outtakes track. Jackie Chan will love this!

First lets get the complaints out of the way, because as great as this album is, it isn’t perfect. The skits attempt to set the mood and flow of the album, but they are often to long, and break up the flow rather then and enhance it. I always like this concept in albums, but it really didn’t work here. Also the film noir feel of the skits I found kind of ugly. ‘A Long Hot Summer’ unsurprisingly is also a little long, but to be fair it would hard to cut any tracks, it’s just that it’s hard to get through his album in one sitting. Those are however very small complaints, in the grand scheme of things they do little to detract from what Ace has concocted here.

That concoction won’t win any awards for originality, but will take plenty of prizes for excellence. The production is almost flawless; in fact this album is the most well produced effort I have heard for a long time. Top draw producers like 9th Wonder and Khrysis deliver on cue alongside lesser knowns like Koolaide Croatia, and Ace himself. The sounds are diverse and always interesting, giving this album high points for the beats alone.

Masta Ace albums are best because of Ace’s lyricism. Every song he delivers dope rhymes like the true professional he is, nothing wack, or under done. Honestly there are enough quotables on this album to keep you going well unto Christmas. Like his last album Ace spits some relevant observations on the state of Hip Hop, while at the same time spreading the subject matter wide with tales of love, war, and everyday life. Add a healthy dose of humour and this album clearly stakes a strong claim for the best of 2004. If you like ‘Disposable Arts’, then you are not going to be disappointed with this, Ace delivers again (and sadly for the last time) in creating a triumph work of Hip Hop. If you haven’t taken Masta Ace in before then you will also find this a nice place to start, in fact everyone would be well advised to grab this and enjoy an album of positive and sublime Hip Hop.