In recent years the Internet provided an easy pass into making a contribution to hip hop and being an "emcee". Keystylers and internet emcees everywhere found the chance to claim their contribution to hip hop without ever going to an open mic or paying dues in the street. Battles instigated via chat room and samples for beats are made from the latest mp3 file. Many purists complain that the internet has corrupted the movement. The Wordsmiths are the exception; a reason to praise the worldwide web. Each member claims a different location in North America and they all bond so fluently that one would think they recorded it collectively in the studio. Classic Composure is the perfect paradigm of networking and respect amongst artists no matter the location. Agent Orange, the beat smith of the group, resides in Oklahoma, Eternal and Madison dwell in Harlem and joc inhabits Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Madison says it best, "the wordsmiths, five guys in four cities, 3 accents and two skin colors, one love for hip hop so we been brothers." The group chose a very fitting name that compliments their approach to the mic. Effortlessly flipping words patterns and concepts; the rhymes are loaded with amusement. The first vocal track, "Confused Evolution", sets the tone for the album. Each Wordsmith introduces their take on mankind's decisions in life with the assistance of Jon Doe. From there, the album picks up the pace with the erratic "Classic Composure." Each emcee rips the mic nicely over Eternal's fast paced production. Many of the songs have a theme to them while still delivering battle-minded and braggadocio rhymes. Songs like "Clown You", "Pimpin Ain't Easy" and "The ILLiad" each take a different approach to boasting their skills on the microphone. The epic "The ILLiad" is one the best offerings on the album. Agent Orange begins with a violin influenced dramatic beat, then cuts it out and comes back with heavy drums and mythological sirens for guest Athena to rip. Joc and Eternal get the chance to shine as solo artists as well. Joc provides listeners with "Artificial Intelligence" and the hidden track "Lessons Learned." Eternal delivers vicious rhymes over the hard-hitting "Bedrock." Bashing listeners over the head, Eternal boasts, "I'm feeling Eminem, but yo I'm bout to smack a Stan / pick one Paki or Kazakhstan / Wordsmiths rolling deeper than the Taliban / in Afghanistan with a talisman in my left hand." The Wordsmiths close their collective album with "Legends of the fall"; a song that gives reflection to "will we be remembered?" The question is still yet to be answered, but they should be highly praised for uniting one nation under the groove. - Blake Gillespie