Rhyme Related

Album review

Once in a blue moon there is a group that seemingly emerges out of nowhere to raise the stakes. Polyrhythm Addicts (DJ Spinna, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Apani B, and Mr. Complex) do just that, delivering an LP old-school purists can sink their teeth into. "Motion 2000" bottles up what is still right about underground NY hip-hop. Apani B, Mr.Complex, and Shabaam all treat us to a verbal massage, adding their own unique stamp to DJ Spinna's spacey and addictive drum loop. Old school aesthetics take center stage on the mellow "Take Me Home" f/ Pharaoh Monch on the hook. Mr. Complex display's his versatility dropping off and on cadences over the jazzy "Not Your Ordinary." Similarly, "Big Phat Boom" is an odyssey into space, augmented by twinkling chimes and a dazzling verse from Apani B. The sonically constructed "Nervous Breakdown," is intricately arranged serving as theme music for the countdown to Armageddon. Its obvious DJ Spinna spent many nights burning the midnight oil digging thru dusty 12", as he provides production crafted with care, and nurtured with love. While not a household name on the mainstream circuit, his work has not gone unnoticed by underground fans. Each of Polyrhythm's emcees brings different styles, but nevertheless mesh them cohesively to fit a group environment. Shabaam is your quintessential NY battlerapper, full of confidence and skills. Mr. Complex switches personalities and flows mid-verse, and his witty repartee's add another dimension to the groups diverse chemistry. Apani B is the X-factor, a polished female emcee who hands out lyrical beatdowns. Her flavor speaks volumes, as her verses are devoid of sexual overtones, or the materialistic references many of her fellow female counterparts partake in. Polyrhythm Addicts catapult us back in time when creativity and innovation prevailed and even though this EP contains a sparse track listing (10 cuts) it hardly matters, because the tracks included are saturated with quality from top to bottom.

© Matt Conaway /TiVo