Sheek Louch (The LOX) returns after five years to release a studio album, the seventh in his career. Fourth capitol of the Beast Mode series, which began as mixtapes and continued as EPs.
The jazzy rhythm of beatmaker O.S. opens the tape, with a simple drum and a shrill sax sample: Sheek lets the rhythm breathe, but then doesn't kill it. A posse with LOX and Whispers follows, rapper affiliated with D-Block: DJ U-Neek's jazzy boom bap, tight drum machine, mediocre sample and mediocre chorus. The guys deliver worthily, all on the same level, Whispers is decent.
The next two songs aren't as interesting as the previous one, Dayzel and Big Snype Beats deliver simple, jazzy productions, with energetic drums, on which Sheek delivers decently. Lil Fame is the host of "Onyx", it would be an interesting track, if beatmaker Will & Level 13 had provided a beat fit with the identity of the MOP rapper: instead, his rhythm is light, jazzy boom bap that has a drum lacerating and slow, Fame delivers in a regular and hardcore way, there's a sample not excellent, Sheek closes still energetic, however this energy is dispersed in the air.
The first principle of thermodynamics teaches us that if that energy hasn't been destroyed, the next guest could exploit it, Ghostface Killah: "Angel Dust" presents the lineup that composed Wu-Block, on a light jazzy rhythm by Isaiah Kareem, perhaps the best of the edition, thanks to a relaxed ethereal female sample, the two New York MCs deliver in a slow and smooth way, making one of the best joints of the tape. Superb produces the next two tracks: the first choice is a not excellent rhythm, with mediocre samples, on which the underground rapper affiliated to D-Block Tony Moxberg spits a few bars, while the second choice is a trap rhythm in a cut with Benny the Butcher and Ragz da Artist.
This latest, up-and-coming dude, performs a lazy chorus and is better on delivery, smooth and slow, albeit not quite as good as the established Sheek and Benny; the title doesn't reflect "The Spirit of Griselda", there's little of Griselda here, but it's still one of the best choices of the record. The last two tracks are soloists for Sheek Louch: Superstylz offers an average beat in "How We Do", with vibes trap, while Jimmy Dukes is the beatmaker of the last song, making a good jazzy midtempo sound carpet, on which Sheek stands more fit and inspired.
Half hour LP divided into ten choices. Sheek Louch still seems to have no ear for rhythms and his braggadocio, thug, and street bars are a bit lost when the beat is average. The boy does better with a guest next to him than as a soloist, and puts together a record that boasts LOX, MOP, Wu-Tang and Griselda: it's worth at least a listen.
Rating: 6.5/10.
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