Return to Stoney Island
Brothers of the Stone
Return to Stoney Island is the follow up to the 2013 self
titled album from Brothers of the Stone, otherwise known as Leafdog, BVA and
Illinformed.
The Album has a whole host of guest appearances from some of
the biggest names in Hip Hop and Rap from the USA & UK including
Smellington Piff, Inspectah Deck, Jazz T, MOP, Eric the Red and more. With a
line up like this you’d be forgiven for having some level of anticipation for
this album.
So, let’s give it a track by track breakdown:
A storm brings us to the first track Smokey Smokey, a nice banging track that is all about what is
negative in our society. This track also contains the line ‘Keeping you
depressed and obsessed with what your earning’ a line, which for me, is the
most hard hitting and poignant line I have heard in a long while. A Storm is
brewing indeed.
Can’t touch the
Flow finds the Brothers joined by Jazz T on a track, which as the title says is
all about the flow. There is no trap here and no Ghost writing this is all bomb
bap peeps.
Up next is the horn laden Duckits featuring the one and only MOP. You know how this one is
gonna go. This is some Dope shit which the radio might not play but, hey Fuck
Airplay. This is what its all about right here US to the UK.
No letting up with the boom bap as Everything hits with a track about how everything effects you day
to day as we walk our life path.
Up next is Fanning
the flames which features Smellington Piff. A heavy but, laid back track
which has you remembering the crazy shit you’ve done and how you learnt the
hard way. Yeah, we all been there.
Reverse Forecast
is a track you can vibe to, about looking back and seeing everything in reverse.
It;s back to the Boombap with Overseers which features Inspectah Deck. This is one of those
tracks which, when it comes on in the car, you gotta turn volume up and put the
windows down, Cos everyone needs to hear this and feel the energy.
Capital I retains
that heavy feel. Here the Brothers let you know it’s all about being
Independent in the Rap Game and the hard work it takes. It’s the only way for
people to really hear the real music and the real messages.
The title track, Return
to Stoney Island has that deep feel, while also having a smoked out
feeling. The track features Jazz T and Young Zee. Really liked how the guitar
and keys worked on the track. I’ll be honest and say I don’t recognise the name
Young Zee but, he handles himself well on his verse even if he does appear to
come up a couple of bars short and just slap his name on the end, thats just my
take on it.
Feed for the Greed
keeps the heavy vibe going. Telling it how it is about those greedy people who
like to use you for what they can get then disappear.
The Desert is a
good track to vibe to and is a reminder that is tough out there but, the more
you keep going and pushing forward you will make it in the end.
The accordion on On A
Roam almost gives this track a sea shanty feel, albeit a heavy one that is
funked out and skunked out.
Hitting you up with the Keys and violin style beat, The Ending grabs you and makes you pay
attention. The Brothers and Rome Streetz hit you with smooth flows and on point
rhyme styles to keep you hanging.
That ain’t the ending cos there is more to come. Taking you
on a chilled out vibe with Can’t See Me.
This one for me has a kind of Blues vibe to it which works so well.
The album ends with Stone
of the Brothers featuring Eric the Red, and what a way to end the album.
Heavy on the horns which have a real 1930’s, 1940’s feel. Light hearted and
smoked out for sure, this one with have your mouth forced into a grin.
Released independently by Real Life Drama Records, which was
founded by Leafdog and BVA just down the road from me in Glastonbury, Return to
Stoney Island is a perfect example of what RLD was set up to do, and that was
to Preserve real Hip Hop.
Everything about this album is top notch. The production is
everything you what from a Hip Hop album. It does have that smoked out, high on
life vibe but, at the same time keeps you grounded firmly in the reality of the
society we live in. Lyrically, there is very little not to like here as the
verses are all well crafted and delivered with lyrical dexterity. The vibes,
from track to track, do not take you to one level and leave you there. Every
track and verse takes you on a different journey with a different vibe and
musical feel to match.
Giving this album a number of listens over the last week or
so, I truly feel that this is one of those that will stand the test of time and
will be at home in the car or anywhere for that matter.
In the past I have not been a huge fan of the smoked out
feel of some UK Hip Hop but, This album just goes to show that as UK Hip Hop
matures it is becoming more and more a force to be reckoned with. It is the
good work of the Independent labels, such as RLD, which is paving the way for
Hip Hop in the UK to be the cutting edge of the modern Hip Hop Movement.
I would say you need this one in your collection but,
seriously don’t take my word for it. Buy it and try it out, you will not be disappointed.
Check the links below.
Till next time, I’m Outta here..
Steve
Official Video for Overseers ft Inspectah Deck
The Ending ft Rome Streetz
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