Rahzel
MTM 2000

"What?! No way, can't be real?! Incredible, nah just can't believe it." That were my thoughts after I finally succeeded to make the damn cd, 'Rahzel MTM 2000', play. The solo debut CD 'Rahzel: Make The Music 2000' is an enhanced cd. Do you remember the 'Wu Forever' CD booklet? It said: "What the fuck is an enhanced cd?!". Well in general it has some extra, like a video clip or a toy to play around with. But I never found an enhanced CD that really put something extra to it. You can see the video of 'All I Know', the track produced by Pete Rock. But before you finally can play it you have to install things. The thing I really did not like is that playing around at the CD's window, you can automatically contact MCA's website. Rahzels website ain't even working, though. I'm not sure I'm so happy a company's product makes contact with the company direct from my computer. It gives you the feeling that they are trespassing your privacy. Watch it MCA!.

But back to the music because it's all about the music. Make it with your mouth like Biz told us. Rahzel 'The Godfather Of Noyze' puts the fifth element back on the map. The human beatbox. Wondering were all those guys went who rocked the streets ten years ago with that pure HipHop sound. Doing that what many never understood about HipHop heads: not having does not mean that we don't do. Just do it. Like E-Life said: "We just performed with a drum machine. If that was not around, their was always somebody who could beatbox". Such a kid was Rahzel, he practiced and became a master in it. He had no money for turntables or any other instrument, he just began to practice his skills. With his talent he does things you just can't believe. When he toured with his mates 'The Roots' he amazed heads already, but 'The Roots' in general amazed people a lot. But now the spotlight is only on him and he still keeps on amazing.

The bio:
The Billboard Magazine: "Everybody should experience his fascinating rhymes…, using just his lips, cheeks, gums and Adam's Apple he recreates, with amazing accuracy and detail, tracks from the magic mixing desks of Pete Rock… and others." His mockery of instruments/arcade of sounds leaves audiences captivated, wondering 'is he for real?".

Although we never saw a Billboard Magazine on these shores and we don't give a fuck what they say, they are right.

The bio:
Source Magazine:
"Rahzel's vision of HipHop, as with his sound, is polychromatic. (He) is the movement, the bridge where HipHop fusions can meet."
We know the Source, and they are also right.

'I give hot dogs sauer crowd'

It's an album with a variety of styles. With features by Aaron Hall, Black Thought, Slick Rick, Q-Tip and Erika Badu. The song with Slick Rick is sadly one to skip. Q-Tip rocks and Erika Badu brings a dirty laid-back different flavor ’Southern Girl’. 'Steal My Soul' features Branford Marsallis pomping a Tenor and Soprano Saxophone. Me'Shell N'Degeocello put down some smooth vocal. 'Everybody wants to steal my soul/but you can't steal what you ain't got', think about it. The single 'All I Know' is a real head nodder. Check out the video on the CD. After song sixteen, 'If Your Mother Only Knew' there is a break of three minutes. But for those who wait or just push ’fast forward’, there is a hidden track. Putting the points on the i of Hip and making the hole of the o in Hop. Wondering how it would sound if Rahzel and Bobby McFerrin-Don't-Worry-Be-Happy team up. Meanwhile I keep on playing it and just can't believe it. I will grab any chance to see and hear it with my own eyes and ears.

MCA Records


AQ