producers: madlib

There have been few memorable EPs in the history of hip hop. Well, maybe just because there have been few EPs in general. "All Souled Out" by Pete Rock & CL Smooth comes to mind. For all those that already knew: Eminem's "Slim Shady EP". Eazy-E's "It's On (Dr.Dre) 187um Killah" is another infamous EP. Let's add to this Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's "Creepin' On A Come Up", Saukrates "Brick House EP" and last years "A2G EP" by Blackalicious and Ugly Duckling's "Fresh Mode EP", and you undoubtedly got a list that contains but also leaves out several essentials. Maybe the EP is a rarely explored medium, because it dangles somewhere between too long 12" and too short LP. And it's probably too expensive for both the too long 12" and too short LP. However, Declaime entered the 'EP zone' with this 24 minutes long offering.

All the tracks were produced by Lootpack's own Madlib, that once again, and as said before several times, does not disappoint with unique samples of high obscureness and strangeness. And no emcee can prevent them from taking a lot of the attention away from their lyrical own offering. A xylophone / vibes scale guides us through the tracks, and although nice, gets on your nerves after a few times. But with the smooth background, complete with happy drums "Let It Be Known" takes us into cloudy softness. The title track comes complete with a French sounding backdrop, while more smooth guitars take you in on the 'puff puff' track "Roll 'Em Right". Finally Madlib presents more vibes for the last track "Wicked Ways", and leaves another example of jazzyness, of great and inspired beat crafting. Far advanced from all jiggyness, this guy needs to get some props, man.

Declaime steps to the mic in a tame matter. And although he 'owns this microphone', he gives Evidence (Dilated Peoples), Lootpack & Sauna (on "Trouble N Da West (Who's Crew?)") and Spontaneous (on "World Domination) their time on the voice recording device too. He himself talks a lot but is not necessarily saying a lot (apart from the last track). He tells us, that "let it be known, me and my niggas gon' fuck around / Madlib mastermind the sound / that you can get used to, for the daily diet / I don't like slinging dope, but I advise you to try it". His braggin' lyrics are nicely recited, he definitely sounds nice talking, rhyming, spitting, spreading his jewels (especially on "Wicked Ways") for everybody to hunt and gather.