Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Potholes

If there’s one thing you can say about this year, its that based on the previous Muneshine review, Domination Recordings are doing a good job of releasing some stellar releases.  Now following that same trend, ST/MIC comes upon us with his sophomore effort Honest Music. Based on this effort, ST/MIC ain’t messing around this year.

Let’s be clear; this is in similar ways mirrored to Muneshine’s Status Symbol and its respective tracklist would prove this theory: a whole slew of producers, 18 tracks deep and 68 minutes.  However, its stellar value lies in the laid-back delivery,  as well as blending it with stellar and fluid production is what makes Honest Music tick.  You can hear it in the piano-laden hi-hat tinged “Keep It Low”, while the hypnotic guitar melody rides smoothly on “Make The Call”.  Elsewhere you can find sparse elements involved on the head-nodding “To Say”, whereas “We Kings” with Arsun Fist, and “Too Much” has elements of blaxploitation with ST/MIC spreading low-key battle worthy delivery and cadence.  Breakbeat elements are present in “What It Do”,  and eerie elements present themselves in “Silent Hils” and its respective interlude.

However, amidst all this, it is “Walk This Place” which does the album’s title justice.  Heartfelt truth and inspiration in ST/MIC’s delivery, while its plucked guitar strings and orchestral violins courtesy of J-Spitz take a listener on quite a whimsical and inspirational journey.  And certainly it’s not the fact that this joint alone stays true to the album’s title, its when “Everytime I Leave” with Muneshine and Mudd providing their co-starring appearances with its stirring soul sample and relationship woes provide yet another track where its a penchant for the entire project, sort of a stepping stone of excellence.

Once it’s all said and done, you’ll realize that Honest Music has a lot to do with consistency and very little upon concept.  Certainly it’s not a bad thing as ST/MIC has definitely shown a ton of growth since his first album, taking more into account regarding his craft.  Not to mention that the consistency with the different producers abound and the guest stars make Honest Music akin to its title.