Chicago Jaw Breakers Posted by Junior

The Primeridian: Trumpets Of Zion and Yeah, Yeah We Know From: Da All Nighta (All Natural Inc, 2005) Hip hop with a message today with music from Chicago duo The Primeridian. Though around on the scene since the mid nineties their new album, Da All Nighta, is only their second long player and their first proper album (the first being a compilation of their recordings between 1995 and 2002). You can find out more about the group on their website. The Primeridian's long standing relationship with hip hop shows in their tracks with a style reminiscent of early Roots or PUTS. Hip Hop with a message delivered over a jazzy, lush, rich production where care and thought have been put into the music rather than a quick loop over sloppy beats job. This kind of rap is designed to be listened to carefully rather than banged out of cars - proper headphone hip hop. Trumpets Of Zion, their first single off the album features the kind of blissed out production from Stoney Rock that demands careful listening. Beginning with a chorus of horns the track moves into a richly textured, lush, jazz based groove with drawn strings, trumpets and, best of all, some cowbell. This suits tree and see-me-on's style perfectly creating hypnotic hip hop. Yeah, Yeah We Know is the track that first grabbed my attention when I put the CD on and it still stands out as a belter. I love a bit of bravado in rap and here the dope rhymes ("I'm a Willy Wonka jawbreaker, who wanna bite?") accompany a soundscape which slowly builds over the length of the track. Beginning with bass heavy beats the track deftly sidesteps the expected jazzy feel to go into a darker territory of heavy and ominous synths. Good stuff.