The other night while listening to Sabac Red's sophomore album The Ritual I couldn't help but to think how to express my feelings on this master piece, then thought: oh, yea, the blog might do it some justice- if anyone out there is reading this consider yourself lucky.
Where to start with this album review, how about with some background of the aforementioned emcee Sabac, but for that I figured you could just visit his myspace page by clicking right here. Although, I will say that Sabac first tasted hip hop success in the group Non-Phixion (R.I.P.) which also starred Ill Bill (his review to come) and Goretex, with DJ Eclipse on the one's and two's. As a member of Necro's record label Psycho-Logical Records, Sabac is part of an onslaught of talent and phenomenal emcees and producers. Sabac's style differs slightly from the rest of the PLR roster, as he takes more of social and political stance, implementing militant language mixed with a social rights flare, Sabac is a voice for the over looked, the down trodden and silenced.
His politically charged music focuses on change, with an emphasis on guidance to the youth, which is the most important message anyone in the public eye could possibly support, songs like "As Children Cry" and "I Have a Dream"(off his first solo album Sabacolypse: A Change Goin' Come, 2004 also an amazing album) convey this purport clearly. This is one of the factors that makes Sabac a great emcee in my book. His message doesn't stop there however, he is a champion of progress, writing songs that not only inform, but also advise people on what to do to make their situation better. Songs like "Fight Until the End," (also off Sabacolypse) and "Open Book Policy" and "Empire V" (off The Ritual) are just a few examples of his influential style. His ability to demonstrate different styles and attack a multitude of subjects makes his versatility unmatched by many in the hip hop science of today. His ability to bring a highly energetic song like "World Army" right after he introduces the album with a laid back confession "The Commitment" exemplifies his dexterity. Rarely does Sabac shy away from personal matters, which brings a dimension of realness to his music with songs like "Breaking Through" and "Death and Destiny."
The album also features a slew of guest appearances from emcees like: the one and only Ill Bill and Slaine from La Coka Nostra and production from: Snowgoons, Skammadix, Blue Sky Black Death, and a few others. The music brings you on a journey from Brooklyn to the Bay area with a Latino flare folded into the mix. Infectious hooks and refrains add an interactive demension and balance out the skill he possess in every verse he spits.
This is an album that shows light at the end of the tunnel that current hip hop is stuck in. Sabac's album is not a few club bangers surrounded by filler, it is purity from start to finish. It is a shame how artists like Sabac, Ill Bill and the many others on Psycho-Logical and Uncle Howie Records are swept aside because they aren't on MTV, BET or featured in Rolling Stone or Vibe. That may be the reason why these artists stay grounded and progressive.
More reviews to come from all types of music and artists.
GPA for this album (0.0-4.0 scale) is... 4.0
pictures from Sabac's myspace
