Crate Digging: The Black Market Militia

by The Black Market Militia

The Black Market Militia is a supergroup, made up of Killah Priest, Tragedy Khadafi, Hell Razah, Timbo King, and William Cooper (whoever he is). This album came out in 2005, and I remember being quite fond of it at the time.

Listening to this again for the first time in ages, I still find it quite enjoyable. In my mind, all of the production for this album was done by Bronze Nazareth, although he actually only produced two tracks - the intro, and one that is mostly interlude (although it's a beat that he uses a lot). The rest of the beats were provided by Godz Wrath Productions, and people like Ben Varges, Squeeze, BP, King Solomon, Subliminal, J. Rusch, and Dev 1, most of whom, I am still unfamiliar with. The best way to describe the sound though? It sounds like Bronze Nazareth.

Lyrically, this album is exactly what you would expect from these guys. It's literary, thug nation stuff, with lots of biblical references, and a general sense of the importance of black uplift, although not by the established rules. Dead Prez have a guest appearance on here, and that kind of sums up the politics for me.

This is a solid, dependable album, by some of the second-tier journeymen of New York hip-hop. I admire Hell Razah, Killah Priest and Tragedy Khadafi a great deal for their bodies of work, both individually and when they collaborate. I do feel like they haven't done much that's different since the mid-00s though, so this album will stay in my collection, while I won't automatically purchase something new from them.

Thought for Food: Vol. 1 & 2

by Bronze Nazareth

For some reason, I'd expected this to be an album, not a mixtape, and so I was disappointed with it somewhat. There are plenty of new tracks spread over these two discs, but what we mostly get are slight remixes of Bronze's best known work, and the album versions of a lot of his work that has appeared in other places. There's nothing wrong with that, but I already own most of these songs, and I was really looking forward to something totally new from this incredibly talented artist.

Bronze's production is amazing. He has picked up RZA's torch, but also seems to be moving into new areas all his own. On the mic, he is a capable MC, and he surrounds himself with artists that share his sensibilities.

The last track on the 2nd cd, "My Pain is Inside These Notes" hints at a much more sensitive artist than he usually shows. "BaRonze Obama" is very topical, and one of my preferred tributes. In all, this is a good compilation of Bronze's work, and is a very good place to start if you don't already own 'The Great Migration' or the Wisemen album. I would really like to see an all-new album soon though....

Mega Graphitti

by Vordul Mega

Whenever I would listen to Cannibal Ox's 'The Cold Vein', I'd think that while Vast Aire is more lyrically clever, Vordul Mega is the more intelligent.

On this album, he has crafted a number of very good songs that fit into his usual formula - quick, short lines about 'hard times', 'the streets', being 'on blocks', and the quality that some have to transcend their environment and situation.

His voice oozes self-confidence, and he stays within his usual comfort zone, with the exception of 'Beautiful', which discusses beautiful music, and shows emotions outside of his usual range. The other songs are gritty and street-based, without following the old hip-hop formula of guns, money and revenge.

Vordul is joined by a familiar group of past collaborators - we see Vast Aire on two tracks, putting an end to any thoughts of an irreconcilable break-up. Billy Woods graces four tracks, leaving the entire album better for his presence. The Invizzibl Men, HiCoup, Karniege, and Tommy Gunn round out the guest shots.

The production on this album is fantastic. Backwoodz regulars like Bond and DJ Marmaduke come correct, as does Sid Roams and Zach One, who nicely book-ends the album. Bronze Nazareth and El-P both contribute a track, adding a certain level of prestige to the whole thing.

It's been clear for a while that there will never be another Cannibal Ox album, but Vordul Mega's doing perfectly fine on his own. He is a consistently strong artist, who's work continues to improve with age. He might be somewhat predictable, but he's predictably good.

Pro Tools

by GZA/Genius

I've always found GZA to be one of the more lyrically clever members of the Wu-Tang Clan. He is able to spit the usual Wu-Tang randomness, but he is also able to tell a story with his songs. His story-telling skills come out strongly on this album in songs like '0% Finance' and 'Path of Destruction', the latter an exposition on juvenile delinquency.

The most effective story he tells is on 'Cinema', where his teenage son Justice Kareem whispers the hook in a half-terrified, halting voice, adding to the atmosphere of dread on that track. Justice also appears on another song - 'Groundbreaking' - trading verses with his father ably, but hampered by a very adolescent-sounding voice.

The production on this album is consistently excellent. GZA employs Wu affiliates like True Master, Mathematics, Arabian Knight, Jay Waxx Garfield, and Bronze Nazareth (the heir apparent to RZA's throne) to layer the album in the typically sinister, melodic beats that Wu Tang is known for. Even Black Milk sounds a little like RZA on his track. The RZA graces the album with a couple of beats, and a couple of guest appearances. The only other member of the Wu to appear is Masta Killa.

This is by no means a ground-breaking album, but it is a strong addition to the Wu Library.

Original S.I.N.

by Almighty (Killah Priest, M-Eighty, Bronze Nazareth, Son One, C-Rayz Walz, and 5 Star)

I love super-groups. To me, it's a great way to hear artists I like working with other artists I like, and to sample up and coming MCs or producers. My all-time favourite supergroup album still has to be the Reavers' Terror Firma album, but this album feels much more like the Black Market Militia project of a few years ago.

This is a good album, especially if you like that post-Wu Tang Clan sound that Bronze Nazareth is so good at imitating in his beats (and for which he is, in turn, imitated here). The MCs on this album are mostly spitting fire, although there are some very weak verses from some people I've never heard of (I'm looking at you Warcloud). C-Rayz Walz is, I think, the star of the show here, owning every track he appears on. In addition to the names listed on the cover, there are excellent guest spots from the likes of Canibus, Planet Asia, Kevlaar 7 and Timbo King.

I can't say much about what these songs are about - they tend to blend in my memory. It's not really the point though - this is more of an album you play for the atmosphere it creates.