Reks' seventh studio album, released a year after his masterpiece, this one is entirely produced by his friend Statik Selektah. The guests are Easy Money, Action Bronson, Kali, JFK, Termanology, Wais P, C Sharp, Alias and Slaine.
The first track boasts a fantastic jazzy boom bap, superlative work by Statik, energetic drum, wonderful sample from Street People's "Flippin' a Coin", as well as tributes to Notorious BIG and Beastie Boys, perfect entry by Reks, performing with a flow smooth as oil, confident, hardcore, brilliant. There are fresh scratches à la DJ Premier to complete the first banger of the record. A nice light, sad piano from Controllers' "Getting Over You" opens the second choice, light jazzy boom bap with scratched hook extracted from a sample by Common, and quiet delivery by Reks.
Lawrence's two artists don't stop and arrive at the third banger on three attempts, "Powerlines": simple and anthological jazzy boom bap by Statik Selektah, soulful melodic sample from "Love" by Eon, drum from "Do Me" by Jean Knight, as well as "The Power" by "Snap!" sampled near the hook, Reks hardcore delivery, simple hook, Lawrence rapper Easy Money, member of the ST da Squad crew, performs with a raw and rapid flow, it closes Reks. The fourth track is a tribute to "Lethal Weapon", with Reks & Action Bronson performing back and forth bars on a soulful jazzy boom bap supported by the sample of Laure Lee's "Every Little Bit Hurts".
"Such a Showoff" is one of the disc's weak points: obligatory Showoff posse, with Kali, JFK & Termanology, paddock formed by artists from the Statik label. JFK remains in the wake of Reks and when the main rapper steps aside, he comes out shaken and struggles to get on, his flow wobbles on a meandering production, not even the other guests come up with anything noteworthy. Even Wais P sounds better than them in the next piece, on a stammering syncopated "alcoholic" rhythm by Statik, excellent delivery by Reks enhanced by that of the other rapper. The MC brings out a personal song in "Parenthood" on a soulful jazzy boom bap by Statik.
The next one has a lighter beat, quiet delivery from Reks, then C-Sharp's rnb hook. Producer provides honest rhythm for "Chasin'", Reks spits hardcore bars with confident style, fluid track with good hook, while the 10th track boasts a female soul sample looped in the background and a light beat with frantic piano, good delivery of Reks, good Alias. For the title track, Statik delivers a simple jazzy boom bap, with somber and dark samples, obscure eclectic piano, Reks and Slaine deliver hardcore, in particular, Slaine provides some of the most velvet, consistent, compact, fast delivery of the record, killing the piece, great effort. In the last three solo choices, Reks worthily delivers on good beats by Statik, but not his best ones, with good samples, light drums and functional hooks.
Sturdy and smooth album, it starts very well, then drops in quality after the Showoff posse. Statik Selektah production doesn't disappoint, while Reks offers punctual, polished and velvet rapping, with thoughtful braggadocio lyrics, among the guests Action Bronson and Slaine are easily the best. The record, about 50 minutes long, goes under the radar also due to his previous work, however, it deserves attention.
Highlights: "Autographs", "Sit/Think/Drink", "Powerlines", "Riggs & Murtaugh", "Cancel That", "Parenthood", "Chasin'", "Straight, No Chaser".
Rating: 7.3/10.
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