Potholes In My Blog » Company Flow

Bigg Jus – Machines That Make Civilization Fun

Will Cleveland — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:30:17 +0000

Bigg Jus – Machines That Make Civilization Fun
Mush Records: 2012

(Here is where the reformed English grad student in me makes an appearance.) Ishmael Reed is one of my all-time favorite authors. His seminal work, 1972’s Mumbo Jumbo, is a true literary collage. It is a dense 220 pages (depending on which edition you consider). The book incorporates footnotes, quotes from other texts, seemingly misplaced pictures, different fonts designed to offset specific passages, and asides that are signed by the author himself.

All of these pieces seem dissimilar when considered separately, but when viewed as a collective whole, they present something that is crazy, scary, and jolting. Two-thirds of Company Flow are releasing albums shortly. El-P’s Cancer for Cure is sure to get most of the headlines, but Bigg Jus’ Machines That Make Civilization Fun deserves some attention. Bigg Jus offers an aural assault on his forthcoming album, his first solo release in seven years. Bigg Jus is like a hip-hop Ishmael Reed, an author know for his distinctively original satirical voice.

“Black Roses”, “Hard Times for New Lovers”, and the title track prove to be highlights. They each sound exceedingly menacing, but deliver on the idea of Jus as a true artist. His work feels like a musical collage. Each time you listen, you pick up some new flourishing element or another layer. It’s a crazy puzzle. Jus doesn’t offer any clues or hints like Reed often does in his fiction. Jus expects the audience to educate and submerge itself. The statement can’t be fully appreciated and comprehended without complete immersion. It’s a bold statement.

Make no mistake about it, this is a difficult listen. But it is also an extremely rewarding one. Each successive listen offers something new, and ultimately something interesting. Initially, I fucking hated this album. I wasn’t being patient. We owe it to the artist to fully consider the statement, and to not dismiss it once we don’t fully understand or appreciate it. I nearly made this mistake.

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5

Company Flow – “Krazy Kings Part III” (3:33 Remix)

Andrew Martin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:00:22 +0000

Like their take on Cannibal Ox’s “Stress Rap” before it, 3:33′s remix of Company Flow’s “Krazy Kings Part III” is some raw killer shit. Well, OK, it’s not as raw as the original track, but is that even possible? Everything Co Flow dropped was one some uber-rugged-type-shit that I don’t think anyone could properly recreate. Yeah, I’m a bit of a stan, but you can’t front like Funcrusher Plus isn’t a seminal album. Plus, 3:33′s remix puts a nice spin on the track, which might make you want to revisit the record after you’re done listening.

Stream the remix below and hit the skip to download.

Download: Company Flow – “Krazy Kings Part III” [Right Click Save-As]

Company Flow – “N2N Burners” (Lost Mix)

Seth Lopez — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:15:26 +0000

Company Flow, the seminal/defunct group featuring El-P, Bigg Jus and Mr. Len, have recently announced a reunion show set for July 16 in NYC. “N2N Burners” is a lost mix given to us by El-P that feels cleaner, darker than its predecessor “End to End Burners“. There are less scratches and the funky guitar sample is toned down. Although, the track’s thick, deep synth and minor key bass makes it a welcome addition to a Company Flow catalog that’s gone dry of late. No, it’s not Funcrusher or Funcrusher Plus quality, but it’s a little slice of 1998, reminding me of where underground hip-hop has been and how far it has come since.

Hit the skip for the track.