4. Ghetto Celebrity feat. Method Man

10. Heavy Rotation

What the heck is Reprazent doing anyways? Isn't this a Roni Size album and to downsize the featuring listings, Reprazent was invented? Well, probably not. A Krust, a Die, a Suv must have more say in things. After all, Krust's "Coded Language", for example, was a very enjoyed adventure. But whatever, the question posed on us right here and now: will "In The Mode" change ways like "New Forms" did, hit people over the head with a futuristic, visionary blueprint, that is to be studied?

On "Railing Pt. 2", Dynamite MC, actually sounds rather annoyed, like an Einstein that once more unsuccessfully explains his theories to halfass concentrated pupils. "In + Out" makes an 80s rock guitar adapt a western sound and is hurried forward, jumping obstacles like Sonic breaking records. A brown paper bag is made to meet Dynamite on "System Check" and what on the surface appears to be cool, is red hot. Actually the deepness of this, with hidden horns and an abundant amount of other sound effects, would have made this more an enjoyment, if it had been kept instrumental. "Ghetto Celebrity" certainly was never expected to be instrumental, it certainly being conceptualized with Method Man in mind, who's flowing effortlessly over such a paced up track and Die, Krust and Roni are keeping things moving, with small change ups. This is by far no part 2 to "New Forms", no poetism like Bahamadia did, but on another planet, it works as its anthem.

On "Lucky Pressure", the strings make us expect a remarkable track, that to some extend is accomplished with the always exciting voice of Onallee. But this is no "Heroes". Not that it tries to be that song. But if "Heroes" was a top ten hit, this would be a top twenty entry. Onallee stays to be hovering about roughed up landscapes on "Balanced Chaos", her actually adding a different shade to the boiling lava lamp flatlands during the chorus. This still is an instrumental cut, not "Switchblade" though, that treats or annoys us to or with Dynamites kind of rapping. That makes you look around the store for an instrumental version of this album, as these soundscapes, with their strings, the uncommitting drum, happen to be better than initially feared. Now, the Reprazent people teaming up with Rahzel bears one question: is Rahzel able to pull off drum'n'bass? Well, he's able to pull off "In Tune With The Sound", that does not give away, what sounds are Rahzel's and what Roni's, or what's a sampled Rahzel. In short, this ads an intently listened to half time break.

The anxiety is brought up to boiling levels with "Who Told You", where Dynamite again overtones the more interesting beat. Then again, he pulls off the hook nicely, added over a very dope choir like chorus, and that would have been enough Dynamite on this track. Bypassing the instrumental "Heavy Rotation", we approach "Staircase", that despite Onallee is a track to skip. And yes, we'll do just that, and we'll check out an interestingly titled track "Mexican". With hilariously sped up drums, these old tram bells are keeping us off the road and the ice cream man seems to have added some verbal substances to his chocolate supreme.

More Dynamite is to bear on "Dirty Beats", that is a few things, but not dirty. Okay, we gotta admit, that the MC is actually adopting a more appealing flow, so we are not completely abandoning this, especially as things do get nasty for a too short break. Holding us back for a little while, things get exciting again with Zack De La Rocha using "Centre Of The Storm" to impose a hellfire, a gold horizon, a flashlight of elementary armed particles on us, attacking a certain mayor, certain no thinkers, false thinkers. Zack operates within a 'attack is the best defense' strategy, he's rushing around you, circling the focus, sinking the criticized's Titanic. Such enormous energy can hardly be met, especially not with our friend Dynamite. But "Snapshot" is okay, in an unmagic kind of way. "Play The Game", finally acts like a theory being falsified.

The initial hope or intend was to say, that hip hop producers should be listening to this, to get ideas to spice up their own way of doing beats, in the same way, as it couldn't hurt for them to listen to "Ray Of Light" (Madonna) or "Black Coffee" (All Saints). We all know, that much of hip hop drums, if not to say beats, are boring. Listening to the previously mentioned, or Roni Size, would show some people ho to move beyond the boredom and also how to create emotion. They would be forced to broaden their horizon. Maybe it be saver to point them in the direction of "New Forms" though, as that changed to world. This is more just a change of discs in your player. However, if the first one was a certified XXL sweater, this is a too baggy L. It's a valuable addition to your musical intelligence, but falls short to invent anything truly new. It's a toothbrush: maybe new in color, shape and size, but essentially still only brushing your teeth.