What's New In Dart's iPod #63 AKA The Resurrection Of The Review Blog

I guess it'll be a while before some new relatively high profile releases finally drop so I'll just review an instrumental album, a downloadable solo project from a member of Tanya Morgan and a soundtrack for the most popular/best selling Anime DVD in the States in years (Afro Samurai). Eventually, things will pick up but for now I'm gonna try to keep these weekly review blogs going so I don't get out of the practice of doing them.

This week I'll be reviewing three new projects that either leaked or recently hit store shelves in the following order: Ilyas of Tanya Morgan presents "I-El: The Interlude", Seoul Avenger "Switch 4 Lanes" and The RZA presents Afro Samurai Resurrection The Soundtrack. For those of you new to this blog, I don’t rate albums on a scale or assign them a numerical value out of 5 or 10, instead I merely answer the all important question of “Is it worth buying or not?”. Here's how my "Cop It Or Not" ratings system breaks down below:

Oh No! This CD is a drink coaster/table balancer/doorstop/gerbil/hamster room divider/frisbee/discus/makeshift shield/last ditch choice for a visor/alternate shuriken choice. Sell this shit to whoever is dumb enough to buy it from you.

Maeby (Maybe)! Depending on your own set of personal preferences you might like this joint. Give it a listen first to see if it's in your lane or not.

Mos Def! Cop the album when it drops...'Nuff said.

Approach with caution/I'm walking arson/deadly like Carson behind bars with the warden/no need to beg your pardon © Ilyas


Best Joints: Almighty, Let's Kick It, Real Hip Hop Don't Die, The Night's Mine, Telepathy, It's On, Heaven's Callin' Me, LSD, Alchemy, Balance and One Perfect Moment

Hot Garbage: N/A

Dart's Take: Anyone who reads this blog should know a few things about me by now. 1) I'm damn near a Lessondary Crew stan and 2.) I'm pretty much a confirmed Tanya Morgan supporter. I got my copy of Ilyas' solo joint from my boy Khal @ Rock The Dub and I've played it nonstop for about a week now. Fuck all of the bullshit descriptions about the songs I could waste time writing, Ilyas kills this joint in every way imaginable. Just download it and hear for yourselves here




Best Joints: Mr. Jelly's Fantastic Dream, Intro, Lastblast, The Coming Atlantis 2012 and Outro

Hot Garbage: N/A (I wish it were longer!)

Dart's Take: I picked Seoul Avenger as one of my Producers On MySpace That You Need To Hear Right Now so you just know that this is five track instrumental EP is loaded with heat rocks. If you're looking for some headnod music to rock in your iPod and not take up much space then don't hesitate to rock this right now. Download it here




Best Joints: Combat, You Already Know, Blood Thicker Than Mud (Family Affair), Whar, Girl Samurai Lullaby, Bitch Gonna Getcha, Bloody Days, Bloody Nights, Bloody Samurai, Arch Nemesis, Brother's Keeper, Yellow Jackets and Number One Samurai

Hot Garbage: Nappy Afro and Dead Birds are both ass. Fight For You, Kill Kill Kill and Take The Sword Part III are all meh to me.

Dart's Take: Yeah...this was pretty much hit or miss for me. Thea? I dunno who convinced RZA that she was a mix of Bjork & Esthero but I just don't hear it. Stone Mecca? Yes please! Kool G Rap, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Killa Priest, 6o Second Assassin, Prodigal Sunn, Black Knights & Rah Digga all make guest appearances but FAR too many Wu C teamers appear on the project for my tastes (Rugged Monk, Leggezin and Boy Jones...I'm looking at you!). I cannot do better than a maybe for this soundtrack but I can't wait for "Afro Samurai Resurrection" to begin airing next week.



Late Passes (For Doz Dat Slept):


Projects I'm Looking Forward To Reviewing Once They Leak...I Mean Drop in 2009:

Rhymefest-El Che
Jay Electronica-Act II: Patents Of Nobility
Jay Electronica-Abracadabra: Let There Be Light
Royce Da 5'9"-Street Hop
Big Boi-Sir Luscious Leftfoot
Mos Def-The Ecstatic LP
Royce Da 5'9"-Street Hop
Magnif & J Dilla-Detroit Royalty
Blu-God Is Good
Sean Price, Guilty Simpson & Black Milk-Random Axe
Method Man & Redman-Blackout 2
Redman-Muddy Waters 2
B.O.B.-The Adventures Of B.O.B.
Billy Danze-Behind Gatez
AG & O.C.-Oasis: Together Brothers
Baatin-Titus
Phat Kat and Elzhi are Cold Steel
The Beatnuts-The Planet Of The Crates
Skepta-Microphone Champion
Ski Beatz-Half Man, Half Amazing
Evidence-Cats & Dogs
MF Doom-Born Into This
Eminem-The Relapse
Cage-Depart From Me


"Afro Samurai Resurrection" premieres on January 25 @ 10 PM on Spike. Voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, Lucy Liu & Mark Hamill. Soundtrack & score by The RZA

One.