Bop Alloy – Bop Alloy
Unlimited Vinyl: 2010
Jazz has long been a staple of hip-hop, a sound that is one of the primary foundations upon which hip-hop was built and a powerful influence in some of the greatest albums ever produced in hip-hop’s relatively short history. As such, Bop Alloy (comprised of Bodymore emcee Substantial and Seattle producer Marcus D) and their self-titled album pay full tribute to Gang Starr, the Native Tongues artists, and countless others whose sounds were rooted in the blue and swung notes.
I don’t tend to use hip-hop as background music, but Bop Alloy qualifies: nothing jumps out at you, no random gunshot sound effects, no emcee imploring you to get off your ass and shake your dreads. Rather, Substantial encourages us to chill, reflect, progress, love, and think. At last, something you can play in front of your parents! “Chillaxation” will appeal to those smooth jazz fans out there (like my parents when they’re not bumping the funk like it’s Oakland circa 1976). Or if you’re one of those jazz purists who’d rather take shots of Clorox than acknowledge smooth jazz (you know who you are), “The Boy With No Name” brings a smoky, bluesy backdrop to Substantial’s somber stories.
The show belongs to Marcus D’s heavily-jazz infused melodies, as Bop Alloy lays the jazz on thick and at times overshadows Substantial. Substantial is genuine, a good writer and an able storyteller, and it helps to have a low, toned-down approach against jazzy beats, but this album could put you to sleep if you’re not careful. Not that it’s lacking in quality, but if you’re a little sleep-deprived, you may want to opt for that M.O.P. in your iPod instead. Nobody’s going to confuse Substantial for Ghostface Killah in terms of energy and mic presence, but if you’re getting drowned out by Kenny G, you might want to ratchet it up a little, or at least have your engineer turn your mic up. Regardless, Bop Alloy is worth checking for, especially for the jazz lovers.
2.5 out of 5
[audio:http://potholesinmyblog.flywheelsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/03-Chillaxation.mp3|titles=Chillaxation]
I can’t understand how Substantial is still so underrated.. I love that these two (substantial and marcus d) dared not to make an electro-pop-gangsta-club-crunk-dance-old/new/back2dafutureschool record.. They made what hiphop was missing. I deffinitely sees this as worth more than 2.5/5..
One.
WHO CARES ? – this track is so smooooth and camp as a possum playing on your roof
I liked parts of the album but overall I’m borderline agreeing with Fred here. It’s a nice blend, but I felt like the music definitely overpowered Stan at times.
LOL I saw there were 5 comments so I KNEW there had to be some disagreement goin on.
As far as the gunshots and gangsta ish comments, I’ve given my highest ratings to a few electronic/trip-hop albums, so you can kill that noise right there. Lyrics were good, production was above avg, but I feel Substantial let the production overwhelm him in a number of spots. Mic presence, ya’ll. It’s important.
Its not too often that I disagree with a review on this site, but this is one of them. I have never heard of these guys before, and although the album received a relatively low score, the review peaked my interest enough to give it a spin. To be sure, this isn’t album of the year material and there are a few skippable tracks (mainly, toward the middle of the album), but its better than an average release.
2.5?!?! You are TRIPPIN! Guess there weren’t enough bitches, guns, n chains in this album to satify your gangsta. You say this is a quality album, yet you give it a shit score? Deserves more of a 4/5. Great production, great lyrics, and no sterotypical bullshit like most of the stuff out there. It may be chill, but that doesn’t make it a bad or even “average” album. Give good music the recognition it deserves, even if you’re not “in the mood” for a chill album.
I must have a different version of this album if you’re giving it a 2.5 out of 5 🙂 Honestly I think this is easily Substantial’s best work to date. I’ve always been a fan of both Stan and his label but I don’t think he’s ever put out something so beautiful and universally appealing. I’ve played the CD for a bunch of my friends and put a couple songs on mixes I’ve made, and it’s become a given that everyone will love and comment on these tracks. Chill music with a good message, amazing guest spots (Tunji is perfect for this album), and dope beats/background vocals… okay it’s a little sleepy but that’s half the appeal for me. Most of the hip hop I own can wake my ass up in the morning but nothing I own is quite this calm and positive. One of the best albums of the year, hands down.
man.. everybody would take this as a nujabes production if Marcus D’s name wouldn’t be written on. substantial, cise star and tunji on it.. 2.5?! substantial probably being one of the most underrated mc’s ever. he got great lyrics and an incredible flow, and he is one of those, who is able to change his flow and rhythm.. this could really be played as background music, but actually its a record where u really have to listen to the lyrics, which are accompanied by smooth beats. but as u said, if u are not into jazz, or mellow beats in style of nujabes, this won’t be anything for you. but still not a reason to rate it 2.5 🙁 don’t take it as harsh critic or anything, i love this page and everything, but it just happens that i am a huge substantial fan, and always loved the work of him with nujabes and marcus d 😉
No gunshots or yelling?! what the f*ck is this ish get it of potholes asap. Kenny G is beast tho what ever happened to him