(EV Productions, 2006)



Chicago veterans and label mates Longshot (lyrics) and Copperpot (beats) have teamed up to form CopperShot. The album opens up with the title track and lead single "Issues." This is a song that, like the whole album, had to grow on me; although Longshot is nearly drowned out by the repetitive guitar lick that leaves you desperately wishing for a changeup. Next up is the solid "Forgive Me" which features KRS-One, Akbar, & KB all spitting their predictable best about Bush. After an uncertain start to the album the first real standout track comes at track five with the distressing "Who's Turn Is It?." Enhanced by some sad horns this is easily one of Copperpot's best beats on the album. Another highlight soon follows with "Culture Pop" featuring a fresh guest spot from Braintax. This has the British emcee going back and forth with Longshot about their respective countries commercialism over a Copperpot banger. CopperShot save the best for the last on this album with "Can you Believe?" and "Black Fathers Day Theme" coming off as the album's best both rhyme and production wise. The final two tracks are also standouts, which leaves you wondering why they are simply unlisted bonus tracks. Issues does have a few missteps on it, such as the female R&B singer who kills (not the good kind of killing) "Save Me" and "This How We Live". Copperpot's production can also get a little distracting at times ("Broken Hungry," "C.A.P.S., "Issues") but is on point for the most part. Longshot's lyrical content is up there with his best on this album, but at the same time his flow and energy seem a little reserved compared to previous releases. Being a huge fan of Longshot's first two solo efforts, I have to admit I prefer how he fit in with the dark thematic production on his Molemen produced album Sacrifice. Nonetheless, with every Copperpot beat on Issues bringing out something new in Longshot you can tell there was a lot of thought put into this collaboration.

- noyz319

(Glow in the Dark, 2006)




Well known as the DJ / producer for Time Machine, Mekalek also performed all the scratches and cuts on the Non-Prophets (Sage Francis & Joe Beats) album Hope. Now with plenty of experience under his belt, Mekalek delivers the lead single from his forthcoming production album Live and Learn. The hard-hitting F-Side "Love Life Money Guns" by fellow Rhode Islanders Fedd Hill is a tight track with the emcees doing a nice job interpreting exactly what the hook means to them. The P-Side side "The Gritty Bop" features the legendarily overlooked Percee P flowing effortlessly over an up-tempo headnodder from Mekalek. Listening to the "Live and Learn Megamixx," which gives you snippets of other album cuts, it sounds like there is definitely a lot more to look forward to when this album drops.

- noyz319