Del's one of those great MCs who just always flies a little under the radar. He's put out no shortage of great shit over the years; Deltron 3030, a great track with Dinosaur Jr. on the "Judgement Night" soundtrack [my introduction to him, actually], a couple of great spots on the first Gorillaz disc...not to mention his solo work. "No Need For Alarm" was his first album after breaking out on his own creatively (his first album, which he apparently wasn't happy with, was produced under the guidance of his cousin Ice Cube). It's also his first with the Hieroglyphics clique, a California rap collective also including top-tier talent such as Souls Of Mischief and Casual. It's got a great sound...murky, jazzy beats, Del's loopy flow...for those in the back, 92-94 hip hop represent.
Freeway & Jake One - "The Stimulus Package"
Freeway, a Philly rapper I heard a while ago and sorta dug (used to be in the Roc-A-Fella crowd with Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel et al) and Jake One, a producer I know I've heard but can't remember where (but is good) have teamed up for this, a slick collection of traditionalist hip hop. Freeway is solid - nothing brilliant, but a nice gritty flow - and Jake's beats knock in old-school style.
Neil Young - "Revolution Blues"
From the album "On The Beach". Long out of print, the album became a cult favorite, and deservedly so. It's excellent, featuring some of Young's darkest work; the mournful 8-minute epic "Ambulance Blues" and this menacing pseudo-political screed. Over driving guitars and a marchlike stomp, Young spews paranoia, threats, calls to arms - a grand allusion to the Manson Family. Much like another SYAP-approved Manson Family song, Sonic Youth's "Death Valley '69", it manages to be unnerving and rocking at the same time.
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