With the release of Lost In Translation, every member of Black Lotus has now released a solo album. The main difference between LongAxe’s debut album and those of fellow Black Lotus members Bolo Gah and Dragonfly is that it’s truly a solo effort. Axe is the only MC rhyming on the 19 tracks deep CD and most of the production is handled by him. Nevertheless, you’ll find yourself in known territory as this album is definitely staying true to Tha Beggas sound.
With the release of Lost In Translation, every member of Black Lotus has now released a solo album. The main difference between LongAxe’s debut album and those of fellow Black Lotus members Bolo Gah and Dragonfly is that it’s truly a solo effort. Axe is the only MC rhyming on the 19 tracks deep CD and most of the production is handled by him. Nevertheless, you’ll find yourself in known territory as this album is definitely staying true to Tha Beggas sound.
General Kwan (one of Axe’s aliases) explains that he chose this title because he feels that radio and TV are filtering the music, leaving it diluted and lifeless. This results in the listeners being lost in the translation between grassroots and mainstream, while the underground artists don’t get the chance to express themselves since they lack support and exposure. Nonetheless, LongAxe is determined to be heard and with Lost In Translation he does just that.
The CD starts off with a clever and funny intro that let us know that Axe is new wave, but also ol’ school. The three other skits on the album are as clever and funny and they will surely not leave you indifferent. Now it’s time to talk about some beats and rhymes. The first song is produced by Bolo Gah and as usual it’s a smooth production with a catchy loop. Axe spits about the hardships of life, but tells us that it shouldn’t be so hard; we just have to love life and live. Bolo’s Kitchen produced three other tracks: In My Head, Black Highs and Fed Ex (Fed Up). The latter is truly one of the standout songs on this release as King Cee’s loop is once again amazing while Kwan pours his heart out and reminds us how relationships can change for the worst. In case this last track downed you a little, peep None Left. The beat is by Family Jewels Productions and it’s a real energy boost, the strings are beautiful and are like a sunrise for your ears. Another uplifting track is Mellow Drama. General Kwan shows he’s a rapper of his multiple flows on Industry Beats’ hypnotic keys and high hat.
LongAxe is not really known for his production, but does very well on the eight tracks he produced. Everything I Know is genuine Beggas music; the smooth head-bopping beat is ideal for Axe’s soft voice and slow flow. Same thing goes for I Need; a dreamy sample that when combined with a killer bass line make the perfect landscape for Kwan to showcase his lyrical skills. Let’s finish this review with the highlight of the album. The name of the song is Bitter and the last thing this record will do is leave a bad taste in your mouth. LongAxe’s beat could very well be a club banger with its very catchy keys, voice sample and even a pace switching break highlighted by a reversed voice sample; a simply brilliant beat. However, the subject matter might not be what people want to hear in a club, but for everybody who’s looking for pure story telling, you’re in for a treat. The story is about rape and child molestation, but even if those are very difficult topics, Axe is able to tell it in a way that is movie like making it a very visual track.
LongAxe first solo effort is what solo albums should be; a demonstration of one’s skills on the mic and ideally on the beats. As the only MC on the whole CD, Axe holds it down very nicely. Lost In Translation boast production from five different producers, but Axe is still producing most of the tracks showing that he should also be respected as a producer and that if you want something done, do it yourself.
-Pascal LeBlanc
1. Translation Show - Intro
2. It Ain't Hard (Produced by Bolos Kitchen)
3. Windows (Produced by JC Beatz)
4. Support the Redman - Skit
5. Everything I know
6. None Left (Produced by Family Jewels Prod)
7. Huh?
8. Bitter
9. Fed Ex/Fed Up (Produced by Bolos Kitchen)
10. 3710
11. Speak English? - Skit
12. Lost In Transation
13. In My Head (Produced by Bolos Kitchen)
14. Mellowdrama (Produced by Industry Beats)
15. Magic Years - Interlude
16. Black Highs (Produced by Bolos Kitchen)
17. I Need
18. f.a.m.o.u.s. - Skit
19. Start at the End
20. Noone Left (Yukon Black Version)
Manufacturer: Chambermusik Special Products
SKU: CM-2038
UPC: 6.87E+11
