REVIEW: "FRIENDS ENEMIES APPLES APPLES"

We've been waiting to cop this for awhile now, especially after the release of the music video for "Holding On".

So we were pleased when Mr. J digitally released "Friends Enemies Apples Apples" a week early on his website.

BUY MR. J "FRIENDS ENEMIES APPLES APPLES"




















Press Play.



Mr. J Medeiros ft. Tara Ellis "Children"

The album kicks off with the song "Children" ft. Tara Ellis. This entire album is laced with that 1,000,000 dollar sound, provided by producer Stro The 89th Key. We are immediately reintroduced to that heavy staccato bass stab of Stro's, as well as some staccato strings, and the subtle use of bells and choirs. This song has me excited to listen to the whole album.

"Last Stars" is more reserved, as if maybe it were the shadow of its predecessor. This creates a good effect though, as within the first two tracks the album already feels incredibly deep and contemplative, as well as varied.

"My Own" continues to take the album on a genre-spanning Hip Hop journey, bringing in elements of Carribbean music and Arena Rock. It also has some jazz guitar, and for the third consecutive song some acoustic strings. The song is slightly more militant in its lyricism and demeanor than the previous two, and showcases a more angrier, in your face side of Mr. J's rap.

"Brutus" is probably easily the hottest song on the album for the beat alone, this is the one that is gonna get The Fox Theatre on their feet. J takes it back with his Rhyme style, and lyrically goes in on some Procussions-esque spiritual type flows.

The album ends with "The Balance", which also features Tara Ellis. Tara Ellis holds it down on 4-5 songs on this album, including my favorite ("Holding On"). The musical chemistry between the two is apparent, and coupled with the classic Stro/Mr.J production team makes for most of the highlights on the album.

I have realized that this new album from Mr. J Medeiros displays a maturity, as he has grown into a much more versatile Rapper on this new album. There is a lot more focus on himself (The "I") and the people (The "We") than there was on his previous album which had a lot of storytelling ("The You").

Cop the album and check out the rest of the songs!!

PREVIOUSLY: HOLDING ON

BONUS:



Mr. J Medeiros "Brutus"



Mr. J Medeiros ft. Tara Ellis "The Balance"

THE ART OF BROKEN GLASS EP

Boonie Mayfield, "That Dude On Youtube", and an MPC impresario who is also a monster on the keys. He makes his way out of Colorado Springs...

Mr.J Medeiros, MC, BBoy, and a member of the legendary Procussions, knows a thing or two about beats, being a part time producer himself. He also makes his way out of Colorado Springs...

What is The Art of Broken Glass EP? Let's find out...

Press Play.



Mr. J Medeiros "Umpire State" (Produced by Boonie Mayfield)

"Love Is All" features Tara Ellis, it does its thing and she holds down the middle of the song beautifully. Mr. J does a good thing by using his 2nd verse to elevate the song to new heights in the later stages of the track. Good track that cries out the speakers at you.

"Umpire State" is blessed to be the product of such a classic beat, sincerely. The horns? Man the whole thing lies directly within the lineage of Jazz that Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Pete Rock all belong too, all the while it invokes images of home with its Colorado tone. Can't say enough good things about this song, so just check it out and weigh in for yourself. Mr. J holds it down on top of this 1000 pound gorilla of a Beat.

"The Measure" features Jonathan Korszyk doing vocals on the hook. And the album consistently progresses. The Bassline reminds of some Jazz Fusion Return to Forever sampling a la something Madlib might get his hands on.

"Tower of Cards" is the most aggressive on the album. It also features a more traditional Mr. J Medeiros, invoking memories of his days in The Procussions. It features a symphonic composition from Boonie, which is quite different than the production he has provided on the EP up until this point.

"Broken Windows" is the semi-title track, and reminds of "Umpire State", as if it were a cousin or maybe your dad's cousins brother. It stand out on its own, its definitely fam, but it also is a little more serious in character than "Umpire State". The horns are also way different in this one, gone is the sound of filtered vinyl and ghosts, instead we get a full and in your face brass section, that sounds like it is standing the studio with Mayfield himself.

The album weighs in at five tracks, which makes it perfect for rewinding and revisiting immediately.

And that's that, cop it, and support Mr. J as he continues to carry with him the blessing of his music. And buy some Boonie beats while you are at it, support the scene.

J.O.B. (JUST OVER BROKE)

PRESS PLAY



The Procussions "J.O.B."

In light of the current economic conditions, where people are killing themselves along with their own families over some debt, we thought we should post this song as it is even more relevant now than it was in 2003 (when it was released)

It is by The Procussions, but really the whole thing was written by Resonant, a former member of The Procussions who retired from Rap and now focuses on Visual Art.

Anyways, the thing about this song is that if you know anything about Economics, you can tell that so does Res, as he really goes DEEP on this cut, breaking down the complex economics behind a lot of the struggle people face.

The song touches on credit, living beyond your means, debt, and all these things that are so prevalent every time we hear news of murder-suicides pertaining to financial disparity.

BONUS:

Some Old Procussions Music Videos



Music Video "Introducing (Whats Your Name?)"



Music Video "The Storm"

(Don't forget about The Procussions! Before they split up they did some HUGE things.)