Fifth solo studio album released by Inspectah Deck, nine years after the last one under this moniker. The title pays homage to one of his favorite cuts, from his solo debut, however, he's still far from the Clan: the group's symbol is still there in the cover, three times, but it's easy to go unnoticed. The production is carried out entirely by Danny Caiazzo and Boo Bundy, while the guests of the edition are Cappadonna, Streetlife, Trife Diesel, Hellfire and Mz. Gemini.
Coming fresh from the successes of the decade with his group Czarface, Inspectah Deck returns solo, releasing an independent record: it's better than his previous records, perhaps his second quality work only behind his debut. The production is done by Danny Caiazzo and Boo Bundy, who deliver decent and discreet, sometimes good, rarely excellent boom bap rhythms: in any case, it's a much better soundscape than his previous efforts, while lyrically, Rebel INS is definitely not at his finest. He's effortless, sometimes thoughtful, confident and even focused in some moments, but definitely not at his best, slipping sometimes: "Russell Jones" is misleading, you're led to think it's a dutiful homage to Ol' Dirty Bastard, and instead it's a shoddy vicious track where Deck mentions ODB a couple of times almost casually.
Among the guests, Hellfire is decent and exuberant, he throws down a couple of battle raps with Cappadonna and Streetlife, while Trife Diesel stands out among the best performers with a solid proof in "Fire", offering bars with a tight and polished style on a great jazzy beat made by Caiazzo, in one of the most inspired tests of Rollie Fingers. Boo Bundy makes solid rhythms ("24 K", "What It Be Like", "Game Don't Change", "Brothers Keeper") with excellent guessed samples and good drums, nevertheless, the pearl of the album is "Can't Stay Away". Wonderful production by Danny Caiazzo, jazzy boom bap with beautiful soulful samples from the classic "I Can't Stay Away from You" by Fascinations (produced by Curtis Mayfield), excellent dry slow pounding drum machine: on this surprisingly splendid soundscape, Inspectah Deck realizes heartfelt homage to the old school, realizes one of his best solo performances ever. The hook is a great tribute made up of samples from Stetsasonic, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. & Rakim, Redman, Notorious B.I.G., Nas, KRS-One, GZA & Method Man. One of the rare masterpiece songs in his solo catalog.
Highlights: "Can't Stay Away", "What It Be Like", "Game Don't Change", "Fire".
Rating: 7/10.
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