producers: big sox, mike caren

guests: pharoahe monch, choclair, heltah skeltah, masta ace, oc, xzibit, common

Hip hop is worldwide. And unlike many rappers that claim to be worldwide, but have yet to step on foreign soil, hip hop really traveled around the world a hundred times, and seeds have blossomed to sweet fruit. Nevertheless many cats from the States are putting much effort in ignoring the talent that is coming from a place with people that have different passports. And while it’s understandable, that the appeal of something rhymed in German, French, Japanese, it’s plain ignorant not to be willing to check for other, foreign emcees putting it down in the English language. That’s why it’s still surprising that Great Britain or Canada has yet to make their hometown hits a worldwide favorite.

Coming from the T.O. (Toronto that is), Saukrates is only one of several acts that are willing to hit every overzealous US patriot over the head. Cats like Maestro Fresh Wes, Thrust or the Dream Warriors have been putting it down for the northern neighbor. And the appearing of folks like Choclaire, Swollen Members, The Rascalz or Kardinal Official have made it clear, that the not Cali CA has enough talent to be put on the map. This proclamation of demands for props does not prevent Bix Sox to rub shoulders with what’s hot in the States. But the props he already gets does allow him to have cats like Phaoroahe Monch, O.C., Common, Xzibit, Heltah Skeltah and Masta Ace showing up alongside him.

The production is mostly handled by Saukrates himself, while he does let Mr Attic of Da Grassroots and Mike Caren each handle a track. And while most of the cuts are original, calm and somewhat musical, although quite downtempo, the odd known sample pops up here and there, like on "Bag Da Biscuit" that goes the "Mr Goodbar" (made known by LL) route, and "Professional" sports the same sample as the D.I.T.C. überbanger "Day One". But these two samples are so dope, it’s self explanatory why every emcee wants to spit over them. Considering the beats, a let down has to be the new version of "Play Dis". While the original was more than fresh, this is nice, but makes you reach for that vinyl faster than your fat uncle for the last chicken wing. And another confusing choice of sound are the guitars on "Killed Or Be Killed".

Lyrically Saukrates does the braggin’ and boasting, with dropping a jewel here and there, like on "Ultimate Rush": "demonstrate on street ruckus with my nouns and verbs / hated the real motherfuckers with the thirst for words". On "Bag Da Buscuit", a skirt chasing ode, he even gets a little funny with his, spitting: "boom, peep my words, saying it real simplistic / reading your mind on some devil's advocate shit / I had to bag the biscuit / my protocol proving to penetrate, bait couldn't resist it / play that sport right, player in the same night / name, number, the works, you make wrong right / I hope, you're prepared for a very long night / yo, it's on, what color’s your thong? White". And finally Xzibit can be heard rhyming "stack loot so much, reach out and touch you probably die from the paper cuts" on "Keep It Movin’".

While Big Sox sometimes sounds like Jigga, he is very recognizable when doing his "Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay" style. And wondering why one of the nicest tracks is a hidden cut, it’s also a little frustrating to have to mention that he did fade away from the summer night type vibe that made the "Brick House EP" one of the tightest releases of 1996. But all this bickering does not mean that this isn’t a dope release. Not something you will protect with your life, but something you’d be ready to slap your best friend for, when he tries to steal it from your rack.