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Urban Mystic: Ghetto Revelations II
“A Little Of This, A Little Of That”
An Album Review By Nfared With all of the pop locking, flip hitting, sideways
shoe sliding going on in R&B lately, it’s hard to fathom that artists care
about actually singing anymore. While Chris Brown has managed to bring both
words together somewhat, there is still more emphasis on the way he moves then
the way he sounds. No worries though, as there are still a few singers left,
Urban Mystic being one. His distinctive voice has no problem drawing attention
to his second release on SoBe Entertainment, “Ghetto Revelations II”. Sure,
this young artist can probably do a few moves, but his most powerful move has
nothing to do with his feet.

“Where Were You?” is more like a memory test. The chorus elicits emotion
as the questions are posed, “Where were you/when you first heard biggie or
Pac/and you know you were blessed with the best of hip-hop?/Where were you?/when
you first drove a brand new benz/wood grained with all polished off rims…”
Each verse bring about more memories like, “…when Shaq left the magic/season
later met with Kobe and the Lakers”. This song not only marks some of the more
memorable times in history, it also in a way, emphasizes remembering the good
times. “My Block”, combines an old school and new school sound created by
producers KayGee and Tramp. The track is an appropriate backdrop for the subject
matter. The chorus reflects life in the hood; it’s almost like sitting on the
stoop and watching as Urban Mystic tells, “Cops roll through/kids
hopscotch/duck down as someone licks off shots/same thang everyday it don’t
stop/that’s how it goes down on my block.” Urban
sings like a storyteller; he paints a vivid and believable picture adding
emotion and backing off vocally when necessary. On “Your Portrait”, his is
still telling stories, this time of hurt and pain. He is open about his feelings
as he admits, “I’m a grown man not ashamed to say/my tears been fallin like
rain baby/maybe I deserve this pain baby.” He continues with his faults, “I
was runnin round town and she caught me slippin…so busy getting to that
cash.” Her picture is all he has and he is holding on to it, but the chorus
reveals he knows it is time to move on; “I’m taking your portrait/your
portrait/your portrait off my wall.” This dispels the timeless rumor that men
don’t have feelings. “Why?” deals with baggage from the past brought into
a current relationship. Urban knows he is doing his part; “…cause I give you
everything that you need/buy you things, pull out your chair…” but knows the
woman won’t “meet me halfway”. He goes on to
explain in the chorus, “…you got me payin the price for your
ex-boyfriend.” More detailed in the second verse, he gives examples; “You
think I’m cheatin when you know I’m at work” and “you gotta keep checkin
my phone to see there’s no one else/for what you’re putting me through/I’d
rather be by myself.” Sometimes the past is best left where it is. Trick Daddy
appears on the soulful “Let’s Make A Change”. Yes this is that corny song
about things getting better and times not being hard all the time. There can
never be enough of these though, and Trick Daddy spruces it up with his blatant
honesty; “How bout a song for the single baby mama’s with them sorry ass
baby daddies… how you gonna have kids out there and you don’t do nothing for
‘em.” A song with a positive message is a bold move; this track embodies its
title in every way.

Needle Meter Urban Mystic is not the average artist. His writing is prolific
and thoughtful and his voice strikes a nerve deep within. With all of this
though, his second album is lopsided. He shines on songs like “Where Were
You” and “Why”. However, the materialism on “It’s You” overshadows
the message of a woman standing by his side, “Can You Handle This” is sexual
to the point of not being believable, and “I Got That” is one of those
rap/singing combinations gone wrong. While Urban Mystic’s talent is hard to
miss, his style can be overzealous, which may cause him to be ignored.
Three Needles














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