producers: peace 586, btwice

guests: jurnybig, sup the chemist

Peace 586 can be considered to be a pioneer of the Christian rap scene. As part of the group Freedom Of Soul, he released the album "Caught In A Land Of Time", in 1991, the album "The 2nd Coming" in 1993, and his first solo album "The Risen Son" came out in 1996. After five years of remaining quiet, or better, making his biggest contribution by producing other cats or inspiring them, Peace came back with the album "586", to reclaim the status of being held in high regard as a dope emcee and producer, but also to talk about his God.

At the beginning, there's little going on, with only a bass and drum being the nails that hold the lyrical picture on the wall. The track is called "586" and everything but its meaning is explained, while Peace reminds us of some past accomplishments, as well as reintroducing himself to those that might have missed him the first few times out. While the main ingredients stay the same, there's a piano added to "The Difference". Peace is making this a tale of hardship or ill influence and advice, him always pointing out to himself the safe haven that his God provides. "Tru' Ndeed" once more keeps the beat simple (and it's produced together with Btwice), but its simplicity is complete. And Peace reflects on his own path, again bringing everything in connection with his God, that keeps him humble and at the same time content. The track ends with a change in beats, and the end is kept instrumental and not less in quality.

The topic gets a little less serious on "Reasons" featuring JurnyBig, although the tone of the song would not have you think so. This is no joking matter, but a somewhat braggadocios pride stance, with both feet firm on the ground and so the arms are off duty to keep the balance and on duty to hand out messages. The slow beginning of "Itchin" is making you anxious. The words then appear quicker than expected though, with Peace explaining some of his determinations, but also trying to be the stick that pokes you in the right direction. The next guest appearance on "You Here" is by label mate and good friend Sup The Chemist, who drops by to spit words over this dope beat. This tracks proves how well the two work together, as the chemistry is being carried beyond the topic that obviously connects them. And as so often on this album, there is an unmentioned beat attached to the end of the listed track, giving Peace an extra chance to shine with his production.

The listener, or more exact, the critics and nawsayers are addressed on "Questions", with Peace taking some time to do some autogenous verses. The beat chosen for "The Deal" is then not to our full liking, while Peace is reflecting on the way it has been back then. Like 15 years ago, when he started out to add his contribution to this musical and cultural field. The instrumental intermission at the end here is also not beyond doubt, and so we progress to "Boom Zoom", where things are getting a little better again. Around this part of the album, the topic has also turned away from the strong religious ingredients on the first few tracks. That makes it easier to like for the backpackers that don't care too much about hearing spiritual reports, with the lyrics being more about the usual topics. For the neutral listener, it makes it possible to enjoy a versatile catalogue of topic. And then there's "Peace Of Praise" left, where the "Apache" drum is combined with some Latin guitars, as Peace says, that he was influence by all kinds of music. And as strangely as the description sounds, the result actually works. Not in a 'all producers hearing this will rush to try to bite the style' kind of way, but in a 'yip, it kinda works' way. However, that's mainly due to the very good guitar playing by Rob Hernandez, who's just plucking them strings with the exact feeling being transported from the inner soul to the finger tips.

This album is somewhat edgeless and more a praising than a preaching record, more a witness report, than an analytical comment. However, we couldn't really determine if that's a good or a bad thing. But Peace is showing enough skills with his words and the dope beats, that we are giving this album a healthy amount of props.