Tanya Morgan
Brooklynati
(Interdependent)
This trio brings out the vibe linking Brooklyn and Cincinnati to create Brooklynati; a fictional urban center that confirms quality hip hop creativity need not limit itself to specific neighborhood lore or overreaching geographical tensions. East Coast vs. West Coast? Texas groove vs. Detroit rep? If the flow is there and the verbal execution isn’t bogged down by too much heady nonsense or ego tripping, what does is matter where it’s from? Brooklynati is Anyhood, USA, where community centers, radio stations, record shops, families, relationships, block parties and the like are worth snapping about.
Tanya Morgan could be an updated take on De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest or, in their more fantasy-laced moments, Digital Underground, sans Humpty Hump’s clowning. Make no mistake, this is not a bad thing. “Just Arrived (Now What),” “Never Enough (Crazy Love),” and even the love ‘em and leave ‘em ballad “Bang and Boogie” loop smooth beats weaved throughout with tasty jazz sampled melodies. The lyrics never alienate with unnecessary agro or become so preachy as to ward off the good time rhymes. In fact, there’s humor here aplenty. The running joke throughout the album centers around the “Hardcore Gentlemen” and their one hit single, the only one they ever released some 15 years ago. There’s a great deal to appreciate from track to track, from love songs to danceable hits that should keep this joint in heavy rotation on your own personal mix. |
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