A2G [EP]

Amazon.com
Blackalicious (DJ Chief Xcel and MC the Gift of Gab) earned their hip-hop stripes as part of the legendary Northern California hip-hop conglomerate known as the Solesides Crew (which also consists of DJ Shadow and the rap duo Latyrx; they're all also part of the Quannum collective). Their first release, 1994's Melodica EP, is an underground classic, and the duo return to the fold with this 1999 seven-song mini-album that's packed with thunderous beats and hypnotically off-kilter rhyme schemes. The title cut, "A to G," is a heart-pounding ditty in which Gift of Gab lets loose with a swerving flow of lyrical finesse over a piano and slinky guitar-driven beat. "Clockwork" is filled with generous amounts of scratching, a chunky bass boom, and Gab's ear-catching verbal volley. "Rock the Spot" comes on the flashback tip, delivering an old-school-flavored party jam, complete with dance-floor grooves and a singsong chorus. The rest of the EP is rounded out by equally block-rockin' beats and intricate rhymes, including the modern-day fable "Deception" and the ominous tour de force "Alphabet Aerobics," which has Gab delivering 26 alphabetically alliterative verses, starting with "A" and with each verse delivered faster and faster until it finally climaxes with "Z." --Spencer Abbott

Tracks:

A To G
Clockwork
Rock The Spot
Back To The Essence
Deception
Making Progress
Alphabet Aerobics (The Cut Chemist 2 1/2 Minute Workout)

Album Description

Domestic debut of the first single from the 1999 debut album by duo signed to Mo Wax & comprised of The Gift Of Gab and Chief Xcel. Seven tracks, 'A To G', 'Clockwork', 'Rock The Spot', 'Back To The Essence', 'Deception', 'Making Progress' and 'Alphabet Aerobics' (The Cut Chemist 2 1/2 Minute Workout). Standard jewel case. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Sleep On This EP..........2005-10-09

Earlier this week Blackalicious dropped "The Craft" and I was quick to put in my order for it. However, I just couldn't wait for it to arrive, so I had to pull out some old Blackalicious to hold me over. "Blazing Arrow" perhaps? "Nia"? Nah, I went with "A2G" for some reason and I'm glad I did. I'd forgotten how unbelieveably dope this short effort is.

Just 7 tracks long, Blackalicious come correct with Chief Xcel producing all but one song. "A2G" has got a really soulful vibe backed with slick rhyming and interesting song concepts, especially the EPs last song, "Alphabet Aerobics", a song which is worth the price of admission alone. Granted if you haven't copped this album your at least 6 years late, but it's worth it for all Blackalicious fans. If you've to check anything from them, this 1999 release wouldn't be a bad place to start, considering it short enough for you not waste much time over but just long enough to leave you fiending for more.

I slept on this album.......2005-08-09

Excellent but short album w/ brilliant production and stellar lyrics. I know Im mad late, but you know how the saying goes.

7 Tracks and they're all just great.......2004-08-19

Ok, I'm sure you're going to read maybe one other review on this and it's probably going to say similar things to what I have, and they're not lying... This EP... This 7 Track BLIP... is better in 7 songs than most albums are in 15-20 tracks... A2G the song is just great... Amazing alliteration assembled by Blackalicious, and the 2 1/2 minute workout is jaw-dropping... But those are the tracks you were expecting... or at least those were the tracks that I was expecting, and all the other 5 tracks don't disappoint either. Sure... It's 7 Songs. It's not a full album... But it's 7 great songs, no filler, no B.S., and it's got 7 tracks that are better than almost any 7 tracks on any album I can think of in a long time.

marvalous.......2004-06-19

This CD is great. It's short, too short in fact, because the best way to listen to this CD is straight through. Blackalicous is a great duo, this CD is worth the money. Although not as good as Blackalicious' other albums, I personally can't get enough of them. I recommend this CD to anyone, even people who don't like rap. Just buy it.

short but sweet.......2004-02-27

This is an album that packs a punch. With only seven tracks you find yourself wanting a little more, but i found it easy letting the entire record run through more than once. They saved the best for last with the alphabet aerobics, turning the tables over to the cut chemist from j5 for the 2 1/2 minute workout. The gift of gab is amazing.

Average customer rating:

TIGHT UNDERGROUND FLAVOR
One of the best things happening in hiphop today
They've come to rock the spot ... rock the spot.

A2G
Blackalicious
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Visi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

West Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000J22R
Release Date: 1999-04-23

Tracks:

A To G
Clockwork
Rock The Spot
Back To The Essence
Deception
Making Progress
Alphabet Aerobics (The Cut Chemist 2.5 Minute Workout)

Album Description

The first single from the 1999 debut album by duo signed to Mo Wax & comprised of The Gift Of Gab and Chief Xcel. Seven tracks, 'A To G', 'Clockwork', 'Rock The Spot', 'Back To The Essence', 'Deception', 'Making Progress' and 'Alphabet Aerobics' (The Cut

Album Details

AKA the Gift of Gab and Cheif Xcel who Display Here Tasters for their Full Length Due Out Later this Year. Includes a Cut Chemist Composition 'alphabet Aerobics'.

Customer Reviews:

TIGHT UNDERGROUND FLAVOR.......2000-01-25

These dudes are representing west coast underground and I can honestly say that Blackalicious and Quannum Projects (the label/crew) are some of the most talented and innovative MC's/ DJ's/Producer's/mind's out there today...you won't ever heae these intellects rappin' about cars, diamonds, or fat houses....Their single, "Swan Lake" may be the best hip hop single of the decade (for real, ask URB magazine)

One of the best things happening in hiphop today.......1999-12-22

Don't wait for the LP to come out, you have to have this album now! The flows on A to G, Alphabet Aerobics, and Deception will blow you away; the beats on Clockwork are crazy. This album is amust for any true hiphop fan.

They've come to rock the spot ... rock the spot........1999-05-01

The only reason this disc isn't getting five stars is because I've also heard the full-length. I'm with 3-2-1 records, who's going to be putting this EP out domestically on May 18, so for all of you who find the import pricey, the domestic release is on the way. Everything on here builds on their already amazing work on 'Melodica' and I guarantee you'll be nodding at an ever increasing rate to 'Alphabet Aerobics' as Gab runs down the aplhabetics to Cut Chemist's accelerating accompaniment. Xcel's production bristles with 70's organic flavor and Gab's lyrics stay firmly clear of anything resembling played. Analogue arsonist indeed...

Average customer rating:

Looks like they pulled in another fan in me...
For real this CD contains the most nutritional hip hop today
Put these songs on tape with Melodica
Wow!
Strong preview from Blackalicious

A2G
Blackalicious
Manufacturer: Quannum Projects
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

West Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000J7QC
Release Date: 1999-06-08

Tracks:

A To G
Clockwork
Rock The Spot
Back To The Essence (featuring Latyrx)
Deception
Making Progress
Alphabet Aerobics (The Cut Chemist 2 1/2 minute workout)

Amazon.com

Blackalicious (DJ Chief Xcel and MC the Gift of Gab) earned their hip-hop stripes as part of the legendary Northern California hip-hop conglomerate known as the Solesides Crew (which also consists of DJ Shadow and the rap duo Latyrx; they're all also part of the Quannum collective). Their first release, 1994's Melodica EP, is an underground classic, and the duo return to the fold with this 1999 seven-song mini-album that's packed with thunderous beats and hypnotically off-kilter rhyme schemes. The title cut, "A to G," is a heart-pounding ditty in which Gift of Gab lets loose with a swerving flow of lyrical finesse over a piano and slinky guitar-driven beat. "Clockwork" is filled with generous amounts of scratching, a chunky bass boom, and Gab's ear-catching verbal volley. "Rock the Spot" comes on the flashback tip, delivering an old-school-flavored party jam, complete with dance-floor grooves and a singsong chorus. The rest of the EP is rounded out by equally block-rockin' beats and intricate rhymes, including the modern-day fable "Deception" and the ominous tour de force "Alphabet Aerobics," which has Gab delivering 26 alphabetically alliterative verses, starting with "A" and with each verse delivered faster and faster until it finally climaxes with "Z." --Spencer Abbott

Customer Reviews:

Looks like they pulled in another fan in me..........2002-05-01

I've only started to get fairly heavily into hip-hop recently (though I've dabbled for years). People I've talked to strongly recommend Blackalicious in general, so I thought I'd try to ease in with this EP. The verdict: Damn. Why haven't I been listening to them from the beginning, again? My review: what everyone else said, emphatically supported. It only didn't get a 5 because I like to reserve 5s for records that are absolutely life-changing. This one isn't, but it's still WONDERFUL. Oh, and Blackalicious just released a new album (today). Looks like I have some shopping to do.

For real this CD contains the most nutritional hip hop today.......1999-09-28

Gift-a-Gab rips the mic every which way. I can't take this out of my discman. The lyrics and the rhymes on every song are so nice. Big ups to the Quannum crew for the production of the sickest hip hop you can get. PEACE

Put these songs on tape with Melodica.......1999-07-30

"Blackalicious Elevating Till You Touch The Stars&quot

Wow!.......1999-07-30

This EP is one of the smoothest, groovinest, positive things I've ever heard. The rap is unmatched and doesn't need to boast. Full of positive lyrcis - no gangsta and "ho" lyrics. What it does have is speed, groove, tight flows and great mixing to back it all up. Yes, there is hope for hip hip.

Strong preview from Blackalicious.......1999-06-23

DMX & Jay-Z fans, WARNING: Listening to real hip-hop like Blackalicious may be detrimental to your health.

Positive:

A strong performance from Black, with tight lyrics over above average beats. "Clockwork" alone makes this EP worth buying. "Alphabet Aerobics" has more content in the rhymes than all the lyrics of DMX amassed. I certainly thought this was a purchase worth its $7 price. A good buy for the hip-hop listener.

Negative:

Not a 5-star however. I probably wouldve given this a 3 1/2 if I could have, but I rounded up. Not a classic, not a "must-have", but a ceratain "should-buy".

Overall Ratings:

Beats - 3 Lyrics - 4

Overall - 3.5

Best Song : Clockwork

Beat : 4.5 Lyrics : 4

Peace

Dance Music: