Description:
These days, America's hip-hop purists long for a respite from the synth-based thug-rap currently enjoying airwave domination. Listeners who appreciate a less abrasive form of the music will find some salvation in S.I.O.S.O.S., the debut release from the four-MC, one-vocalist East Coast collective known as Spooks. S.I.O.S.O.S. is notable for its live instrumentation (with a few judiciously jazzy samples to spice up the mix), but its standout feature is Ming-Xia's soaring vocals, which add a sultry counterpoint to the flamenco styling of "The Mission" and haunting emphasis to the bhangra-tinged "Safe House." Th
These days, America's hip-hop purists long for a respite from the synth-based thug-rap currently enjoying airwave domination. Listeners who appreciate a less abrasive form of the music will find some salvation in S.I.O.S.O.S., the debut release from the four-MC, one-vocalist East Coast collective known as Spooks. S.I.O.S.O.S. is notable for its live instrumentation (with a few judiciously jazzy samples to spice up the mix), but its standout feature is Ming-Xia's soaring vocals, which add a sultry counterpoint to the flamenco styling of "The Mission" and haunting emphasis to the bhangra-tinged "Safe House." The album's weakness lies in the remaining members' uninspired rhyme skills, which fail to match their vocalist's capabilities. Inevitably, Spooks will suffer comparisons to other organic hip-hop outfits, such as the lyrically superior Fugees or the trippier Morcheeba. Alongside these groups' best efforts, Spooks' S.I.O.S.O.S. is not classic material, but, as an antidote to today's commercial rap overdose, it is a solid first effort. --Rebecca Levine
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Manufacturer: Artemis Records
Release date: 11 July 2000
EAN: 0699675103927 UPC: 699675103927
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