2004 did not bring that many new music from the realm of holy hip hop. That
is, the labels did not deliver much. Independent releases from 4th Avenue
Jones' and LA Symphony were the biggest releases of the year, and all that
music was some of their best unreleased work from two or three years ago.
But then Sharlok landed on my desk, and 2004 became a good year again. I've
always enjoyed Sharlok a lot when he shows up on LAS albums and other
projects, so hearing a full disc from him was also good. Check our review
here and look for more great reviews to come on cMusicWeb.com.

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THE MOVEMENT - SHARLOK POEMS (2004)
by Josh Weekly

Hailing from the super crew LA Symphony, Sharlok often gets shoved to the
side and labeled as either simply the hook writer or most recently, the "low
end" of LA Symphony. Neither give the man the credit he deserves and are
more in the vein of insults rather than compliments. Sharlok makes more than
just hip hop; he makes art. It is very emotional and poetic, even abstract
at times, but always brilliant. Art is meant to be experienced, and this is
no exception. Prepare yourself for The Movement, Sharlok's sophomore release
and his major label debut.

If this album had to be labeled, I think it should be "Grown-Folk Hip-Hop."
This is music for grown folks, grown in a way that only comes from
experiencing life and through the survival of tragedy. Seasoned veterans of
life will be the ones who find the comfort in the hidden nuggets of this
disc. They will be the ones who relate to Sharlok when he tells them in
"Rock On,"

"With hammer and chisel shape a song for the fallen / The tried and true who
gave it all for there calling / From musician to marksmen here's a salute."

From the moment that you hear the first words of Sharlok, you feel
connected, like chums from back in the day who haven't spoken in a while but
still work toward the same goal and have the same purpose in life. He
speaks to you as if he knows the road you have traveled and knows of the
pain you have endured.

"Dead Beat Dad" uses powerful words to open a window into a life that many
women are imprisoned in; words that should challenge those who are not in
this position to help those who are.
"Break up to make up Lancôme covers your face up / to camouflage the places
that his fist struck / you've been stuck between a fist and a wall / with
two kid's screaming in the hall."
As a true piece of art does, The Movement will not allow you to walk away
the same. You will be changed.

Loyal to his artistic nature Sharlok provides a musical backdrop that is
every bit as creative as his words. With eleven of the fourteen songs
produced by Mr. J of the Procussions, we are treated to a focused sound.
Great Jason (a.k.a. J.Beits) emerges from hiding to deliver two very well
crafted beats ("California Lyricists" and "Limelight.") Fellow LA Sympher
Flynn ("Sunny Days") and Stro ("Freedom") both provides a single track each.
The sound of this record is best described as organic and raw. It is never
overbearing and always allows its partner, the spoken words, to be clearly
heard. While some songs could be categorized as experimental ("Change"
borders on being annoying with its Nintendo sounding phaser playing
constantly) none of the songs will ever be accused of being boring and
mundane.

Guests are kept to an absolute minimum, a noteworthy achievement for a LA
Symphony solo album. Unlike his fellow crew mates who seem content releasing
what seem to be extensions of past group efforts, Sharlok simply does not
subscribe to this practice. Other than Flynn on production, there is not a
single member of the current roster on this disc, which immediately places
this record leaps and bounds ahead of past LA Symphony solo releases. On the
emcee side, Sharlok invites his Haileyloo Fishermen brethren, J.Beits and
Terry McFly to stop by and spit a few verses. It is always a pleasure to
hear these fine gentlemen on a track and this would be no exception to their
standing track record. The Lightheaed boys also put forth a wonderful
appearance that makes for a perfect close to the album.

Honestly, this is the best thing to come from the hip-hop genre this year.
Sharlok does not disappoint. If I could give it some stars I would, like at
least 8 of them. Pick it up and enjoy this perfect winter hip-hop.

Read more about the Sharlok at LA Symphony's website:
http://www.lasymphony.com/


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: Into Motion - Salvador
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/salvador/intomotion.shtml

Review: Salvador - Salvador
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/salvador/salvador.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JANUARY 25 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

PURCHASE THIS MUSIC AND MORE AT GRASSROOTSMUSIC.COM:
http://www.grassrootsmusic.com/?associateid=249

GENTLE REVOLUTION - SCOTT KRIPPAYNE
If you would have asked me a couple days ago what I was favoring for the
PICK OF THE WEEK, I would surely not have said Scott Krippayne. His name is
fairly synonymous with the inspirational scene which I avoid. But, after
listening to this album yesterday, I found Scott deserves a second chance.
The disc is full of rock music, including a lot of piano-based rock. Plus,
Scott isn't making the usual radio singles on this disc; he's going for
something more honest and relevant.

HERE I AM TO WORSHIP VOL. 2 - VARIOUS
As a person who still respects the concept of an album, I find no good
explanation of why these worship compilations are released every week. Sure,
it has some of the best songs and lots that they might be singing at your
church, but I'd rather get a delirious? or Matt Redman and get a whole
experience instead of a best-of compilation.

IDENTITY - GRAND PRIZE
The second signing of A'Postrophe Records, this is one of those bands that
has been surviving in the independent market for a while. While their debut
is nothing special, it should fit well next to the pop/rock of other bands
such as Building 429 and Overflow.

IMPRINT - MICHAEL COOK
Jaci Velasquez heard this guy sing and decided she needed to start a record
label in order to get his music to the world. So she started A'Postrophe
Records and took him on tour with her. Cook has good songwriting and pop
sensibility.

NICHOLAS JONAS - NICHOLAS JONAS
When you put in this disc, you might say, "This doesn't sound like a guy."
Yeah, well, that's because Nicholas Jonas is only eleven years old. But this
kid has already starred in four Broadway musicals, numerous commercials, and
even sang on a couple CDs already. So don't get too attached to this new
voice in pop - the voice will be changing in a couple years.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
- Mat Kearney Gets His Big Break
- Todd Agnew sells 150,000 copies of debut disc
- And more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


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