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┌────────┐ ██▀▀
────┤ Info ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
└────────┘
Artist | 7L & Esoteric
Title | Dangerous Connection
Genre | Hip-Hop Format | Album
Source | CD Time | 46:04
Label | Landspeed Records / Brick Records Store | 2002
Catalog | LSR 9220 Rip | 2020
Bitrate | 782 kbps Size | 273.48 MB
Freq | 44.1 kHz Encoder | FLAC 1.3.1
┌────────┐
────┤ Tracks ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
└────────┘
01. One Six (Prod. 7L) 1:37
02. Watch Me (Prod. 7L) 3:54
03. Warning - Knife In The Face (Prod. 7L) 3:32
04. Terrorist's Cell (Prod. Stoupe) 2:34
05. Precision (Prod. 7L) 3:48
06. Word Association (Prod. 7L) 3:28
07. Stalker (Prod. 7L) 3:56
08. Speak Now (Feat. Vinnie Paz & Apathy) (Prod. 7L) 4:35
09. Rules Of Engagement (Feat. J-Live & Count Bass D) (Prod. 2:58
7L)
10. Riccardi Man (Prod. Beyonder) 1:51
11. Herb (Prod. 7L) 3:07
12. What I Mean (Feat. Beyonder) (Prod. Beyonder) 4:16
13. Rest In Peace (Prod. KutMasta Kurt) 3:47
14. The Way Out (Prod. 7L) 2:41
┌────────┐
────┤ Notes ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
└────────┘
ôBackpack? û Wack flow.ö ThatÆs EsotericÆs response to a little
psychological quiz during the song ôWord Association.ö The irony though is
that the very backpackers he decries may be the perfect audience for his
new album.
Despite all the negative press that has been given to the term, a true
backpacker is an open-minded hip-hop fan who might be as likely to have
RedmanÆs ôMalpracticeö as AceyaloneÆs ôA Book of Human Languageö tucked
away next to the potato chips, CD player and can of soda or other beverage.
The derisive meaning of the word has come to imply suburbanites that enjoy
overly wordy rappers with whack beats, and push off said same rappers as
being ôeliteö while derisively looking down their noses at everything from
old school classics to the latest top 10.
When listening to ôDangerous Connection,ö one suspects that Esoteric is
himself the kind of open-minded backpacker who can be found rocking a
variety of joints himself and drawing his inspiration from his
contemporaries. Some less open-minded rap fans, the same who sneer at all
ôbackpackersö regardless of what flavor of the form they might be, would
probably turn up their noses at Esoteric. Despite the fact that 7L is one
of the best producers and DJÆs in underground rap, and Esoteric slips from
humerous punchline MC to thought-provoking verbalist with surprising ease,
they would say with disdain that ôheÆs alright but heÆs not real.ö Why?
Well if ever a dope rapper was to sound like the ôwhite man from town,ö it
would be Es.
In 2002, those distinctions really shouldnÆt matter. Esoteric proudly reps
his home turf of Boston, Mass and sounds it too. If you canÆt get over that
fact, ôDangerous Connectionö is not the album for you. Anybody whoÆs been
down with Esoteric since his ôSpeaking Real Wordsö duet with Inspectah Deck
though knows that no matter how white he sounds, Esoteric takes his craft
just as seriously as Eminem. Actually, itÆs possible he takes it MORE
seriously; since Esoteric isnÆt purposefully shocking to reach a larger
audience. In fact, with guest appearances by the likes of Apathy, Count
Bass D, J-Live and Vinnie Paz, Esoteric is clearly aiming for a listening
base that might be called ôbackpackersö themselves; while in actuality they
could simply be said to be heads who appreciate great MCÆs and great beats
no matter their background. Esoteric seems painfully aware of the irony of
his independent label status though, as the song ôRest in Peaceö proves.
7L & Esoteric prove themselves time and again over a wide range of
impressive tracks. ôWatch Meö has a piano loop that even DJ Premier would
get hot for, and the Ghostface Killah sample in the hook is wickedly
appropriate for EsotericÆs tough braggadocio. ôTerroristÆs Cellö is an
eerie track about the events of September 11th, 2001; and StoupeÆs beat is
sure to send a chill down your spine. The aforementioned ôWord Associationö
is a raucous boom bap beat that bashes you over the head as Esoteric
becomes a candidate for the funny farm. Speaking of mental MCÆs, both the
sublime Rakim and the loopy Kool Keith can be found scratched into ôWhat I
Meanö; EsoÆs duet with Beyonder.
Since this album is only 14 tracks and 46 minutes long, youÆre left
hungering for more by the time the CD is finished. At least, you are if
youÆre a ôbackpacker.ö Wack flow? Hell no. Just because he sounds white to
even the most color-blind of people doesnÆt mean his breath control,
timing, dexterity and vocal pitch arenÆt precisely honed by both sheer
ability and years of paying dues. Maybe there are a few backpackers in the
hip-hop scene who canÆt rap a lick, but if Esoteric was found in their
cypher he would be the one humiliating them and at the same time
encouraging them to improve their craft. The slamming beats on ôDangerous
Connectionö should win over any doubting Thomas, but those who still sleep
on Esoteric thinking heÆs the same kind of elitist arrogant backpacker that
he despises will have to live with missing out on dope shit.
┌────────┐
────┤░░░░░░░░├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
└────────┘