Post by Alter on Jul 26, 2007 15:56:52 GMT
Name: Thugmatic Volume 2: The Magaveli
Artist: Tupac Shakur
Mixing: DJ .44 Magnum
Album Overview:
The second in the Thugmatic series, DJ .44's most successful, Volume 2: The Magaveli is another solid album by HHE's most prolific DJ. Again choosing to limit the guest appearances to real Pac collaborators, and none of these new mainstream heads who Pac wouldn't have worked with (Ja Rule? 50 Cent anyone?), the overall feel of the album is almost.. authentic if that word can be used. Definately worth a look.
I Can't Die (Intro):Simple lil' intro bit, but it's a nice touch.. the echo gives a nice effect, and its not too long. It's a nice touch, cas' the album is keeping Pac's memory alive.
5-stars.png
Til' I Die [Feat. Krazie Bone & Royce Da 5'9"]: The logical follow on track, although a lil' bit of a tempo switch between this and the slow accapella intro. Choice of beat was nice, really upbeat, and suited Pac's flow, though there was one sound effect i wasnt feeling, a kinda beeping noise, it was negligble though.
Verse blending was really nice, they mixed with each other well, however the only bit i found questionable was the start of Krazie's verse, it was a little bit too fast, but once he got into it, it was on point with the beat. I would def' give this more than a second listen, it's a real solid effort.
4andhalfstars.png
Don't Sleep [Feat. Eazy-E]: The choice of beat has that real West Coast feel to it, and definately suits the idea of a Pac and Eazy collaboration. Unfortunately, Eazy's voice sounded a little bit off on this cut (no fault of .44's), and the two acapellas didn't feel as natural on the beat as some of the other album cuts did, which was a shame, although still a solid cut.
3andhalfstars.png
Know My Style: Back on form, the beat and acapella worked really well together here, from the verses to the hook. The beat had an almost eerie feel to it (the laughter at the end really adds to the feel), and was well suited to the song. Though not my favourite track (a matter of personal preference), this was another well put together track that with a natural feel to it, unlike a lot of these new Pac remixes these days.
4-stars.png
Thugmatic 2 (Thug For Life): The flow started off a lil' rocky on the beat, although the choice of instrumental was definately a good one, had that really nineties feel to it. It genuinely sounds like it coulda been a Tupac track, and it was put together soundley (as you would expect from DJ .44), so another worthwhile listen.
4-stars.png
Watcha Gonna Do [Feat. Snoop Dogg]: I have to say, when i heard the beat kick in, i had a feeling that this would be a ill track, and when the vocals came on, i was certain that i was right. The flow and tempo on Pac's first verse, are just right. The hook (surprisingly) fits the beat pretty well, but the vocals are a little low. Not particularly .44's fault, seeing as Pac is a little droning on the hook anyways.
Snoop's verse, with the slightly higher vocals (than the hook) fits the beat nicely, although it does go off in a few places, it's still a good choice. And Pac's final verse flows just as well as the first. My only problem was the hook, but as i said, can't really blame the DJ for that. The little samples of Pac speaking are a nice touch too.
Overall a really nice track.
4andhalfstars.png
You Wanna Die: Gotta say, at first i wasn't really feeling the choice of beat here, but it kinda grew on me. There was a nice mix of samples, with a quite a few guest artists on the track, and they do fit the beat fairly well for the most part. However, i have to say i didn't like the echo on Styles' voice, and kinda thought Game didn't quite fit. But overall, not the worst mix i've heard.
3-stars.png
Hardcore Is Beautiful: Is that the "So Seductive" beat... Kinda a risky move cas Yayo struggled to go wood, but suprisingly the whole thing worked pretty well, the scratching fitted in nicely too. The whole thing was on beat, sounding like a Tupac club track. The sample "I'm from the place where hardcore is beautiful" is a nice touch too. Overall, definately one of the album's strong tracks.
4andhalfstars.png
Sorry guys.. i'm going to have to finish this review at a later date.. hopefully tomorrow.. but no promises. Feel free to add your own reviews. Don't forget to cop this album.
Artist: Tupac Shakur
Mixing: DJ .44 Magnum
Album Overview:
The second in the Thugmatic series, DJ .44's most successful, Volume 2: The Magaveli is another solid album by HHE's most prolific DJ. Again choosing to limit the guest appearances to real Pac collaborators, and none of these new mainstream heads who Pac wouldn't have worked with (Ja Rule? 50 Cent anyone?), the overall feel of the album is almost.. authentic if that word can be used. Definately worth a look.
I Can't Die (Intro):Simple lil' intro bit, but it's a nice touch.. the echo gives a nice effect, and its not too long. It's a nice touch, cas' the album is keeping Pac's memory alive.
5-stars.png
Til' I Die [Feat. Krazie Bone & Royce Da 5'9"]: The logical follow on track, although a lil' bit of a tempo switch between this and the slow accapella intro. Choice of beat was nice, really upbeat, and suited Pac's flow, though there was one sound effect i wasnt feeling, a kinda beeping noise, it was negligble though.
Verse blending was really nice, they mixed with each other well, however the only bit i found questionable was the start of Krazie's verse, it was a little bit too fast, but once he got into it, it was on point with the beat. I would def' give this more than a second listen, it's a real solid effort.
4andhalfstars.png
Don't Sleep [Feat. Eazy-E]: The choice of beat has that real West Coast feel to it, and definately suits the idea of a Pac and Eazy collaboration. Unfortunately, Eazy's voice sounded a little bit off on this cut (no fault of .44's), and the two acapellas didn't feel as natural on the beat as some of the other album cuts did, which was a shame, although still a solid cut.
3andhalfstars.png
Know My Style: Back on form, the beat and acapella worked really well together here, from the verses to the hook. The beat had an almost eerie feel to it (the laughter at the end really adds to the feel), and was well suited to the song. Though not my favourite track (a matter of personal preference), this was another well put together track that with a natural feel to it, unlike a lot of these new Pac remixes these days.
4-stars.png
Thugmatic 2 (Thug For Life): The flow started off a lil' rocky on the beat, although the choice of instrumental was definately a good one, had that really nineties feel to it. It genuinely sounds like it coulda been a Tupac track, and it was put together soundley (as you would expect from DJ .44), so another worthwhile listen.
4-stars.png
Watcha Gonna Do [Feat. Snoop Dogg]: I have to say, when i heard the beat kick in, i had a feeling that this would be a ill track, and when the vocals came on, i was certain that i was right. The flow and tempo on Pac's first verse, are just right. The hook (surprisingly) fits the beat pretty well, but the vocals are a little low. Not particularly .44's fault, seeing as Pac is a little droning on the hook anyways.
Snoop's verse, with the slightly higher vocals (than the hook) fits the beat nicely, although it does go off in a few places, it's still a good choice. And Pac's final verse flows just as well as the first. My only problem was the hook, but as i said, can't really blame the DJ for that. The little samples of Pac speaking are a nice touch too.
Overall a really nice track.
4andhalfstars.png
You Wanna Die: Gotta say, at first i wasn't really feeling the choice of beat here, but it kinda grew on me. There was a nice mix of samples, with a quite a few guest artists on the track, and they do fit the beat fairly well for the most part. However, i have to say i didn't like the echo on Styles' voice, and kinda thought Game didn't quite fit. But overall, not the worst mix i've heard.
3-stars.png
Hardcore Is Beautiful: Is that the "So Seductive" beat... Kinda a risky move cas Yayo struggled to go wood, but suprisingly the whole thing worked pretty well, the scratching fitted in nicely too. The whole thing was on beat, sounding like a Tupac club track. The sample "I'm from the place where hardcore is beautiful" is a nice touch too. Overall, definately one of the album's strong tracks.
4andhalfstars.png
Sorry guys.. i'm going to have to finish this review at a later date.. hopefully tomorrow.. but no promises. Feel free to add your own reviews. Don't forget to cop this album.
