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| 'Though he shouldn't by any means be pigeon-holed by it, Lacks AKA Ta'Raach (formerly Lacksidaisical) makes music that certainly reflects his geographical and professional association with Detroit-native J Dilla. Hence "Re:Lacks" is full of spare, knocking beats and big
basslines as well as a great deal of easy funk. With this sonically pleasing production style, Lacks' own lazy, deep flow and a host of impressive supporting cameos, "Re:Lacks" can't help but be a good listen. |
| From the identity-asserting "Gotta Be Raach" - a staple example of the production described above - to the brilliant meandering jazz keys that lie beneath "Right Here",
Lacks and his cohorts deliver head-nodders one after another. "Reciprocity", which draws a little inspiration from Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor", might just be the finest track on the album, portraying Lacks at his most introspective as
sung vocals weave in and out of the beat. At the other end of the spectrum, "Hustolin'" sees the return of the bass on a pimped-out track about grindin' that doesn't have quite the same appeal as others on the album. |
| Jeedo AKA Waajeed lends production support on "Jeed Demo #1", and Lacks uses the time not spent behind the boards to deliver verses that consider Hip Hop, it's different forms, and the different uses it can have. For an album
that's effectively quite short, Lacks manages to explore a number of different Hip Hop variations on "Re:Lacks". So from "The Idiology", on which props are given to good Hip Hop wherever it hails from, to the brief and spare "Spa
Treatment" instrumental, the listener is treated to music made by someone who both takes it very seriously and very clearly enjoys it. |
| What else can be said? Anyone out there looking for an introduction to the work of an artist who specialises in delivering different tracks all loosely centred around the mould of bumping, buoyant Hip Hop should check out "Re:Lacks". As the man himself says on "The
Idiology", "bang this in your whips". Damn skippy. |
| review: cornerstone |
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