INTRODUCTION
Little Brother just can't seem to catch a break. Their debut album, The Listening (which I reviewed here), despite being deemed a classic by some, was commonly criticized for what people called "bland" production by 9th Wonder. Then, their sophomore release, The Minstrel Show, stirred up all kinds of controversy for the simple fact that the subject matter was intelligent. No; I'm serious.
For those of you who may not know the history, BET refused to air the music video of the album's lead single, "Lovin' It," because the channel thought the song was "too intelligent" and that it was essentially talking down to other forms of hip-hop, as the video did parody some of rap's subgenres.
Ultimately, The Minstrel Show suffered rather poor sales (not that it would have sold much even if the whole BET situation didn't happen anyway), but was still looked at by most as a better offering from the group than The Listening, and to this day, it is generally viewed as Little Brother's best work.
Unlike on Little Brother's debut, The Minstrel Show was not entirely produced by 9th Wonder, as Khrysis contributed one track.
TRACK-BY-TRACK
1. Beautiful Morning
Outstanding way to open up the album. The production on "Beautiful Morning" is more energetic than anything on The Listening (with the exception of "The Getup"), and the track really does give off a vibe of something that you should bump as soon as you wake up. Both Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh both do their thing and cruise over the smooth 9th beat. The album opener is also one of the album's best.
2. The Becoming
This cut is very short, spanning one minute and fifty-two seconds, and Phonte is alone on it. 9th Wonder uses a solid sample consisting of some choppy guitar strums, and his trademark snare is ever-present. Decent cut.
3. Not Enough
Just listening to Darien Brockington's hook will make you think this is a traditional, run-of-the-mill love rap, but on "Not Enough," Little Brother is actually talking to the industry and saying no matter what they do, they cannot seem to garner enough respect in the hip-hop circuit, and BET's beef with them illustrates that notion to a tee. 9th's beat here is outstanding, and Darien Brockington does an admirable job on the hook. Great track.
4. Cheatin'
Phonte adopts his Percy Miracles persona here and decides to go in R&B style, singing a hilarious, but at the same time, serious, song about how he caught his girl cheating on him. The best part is when Phonte says he looked in his girl's cell phone and "saw another man's digits." 9th Wonder's (he decides to go by the name of "Piano Reeves" for this track for whatever reason) production is pretty standard (although it does fit the mood), so it is Phonte's lines that make "Cheatin'" worth listening to.
5. Hiding Place
Elzhi makes a guest appearance on this, and he and both Little Brother members rip this 9th beat. This is probably the hardest you will ever see Little Brother go in terms of sounding downright aggressive on a record, and Big Pooh in particular shreds it. "Hiding Place" also contains what probably is one of the rawest 9th Wonder productions you will ever hear. Excellent song all-around.
6. Slow It Down
Like on "Not Enough," Darien Brockington is here for the hook, but Little Brother isn't trying to fool you twice; this really is a love rap, and a damn good one at that. 9th's instrumental is sick, both Phonte and Pooh do it classy, and Darien Brockington, who I really, really like, drops yet another fantastic chorus. We're only six songs in, and I'm already digging this more than The Listening (and I liked The Listening).
7. Say It Again
Actually, I wasn't really feeling this one. My interest waned as the track went on, and that was probably because of 9th Wonder's production; I just didn't like it.
8. Lovin' It
The Minstrel Show's single that caused all of that hubbub with BET. Joe Scudda, who I have always liked, drops by to drop a guest verse, and he fits in perfectly with Phonte and Big Pooh. 9th's beat is very laid-back and ridiculously relaxing.
9. All For You
Darien Brockington makes his third and final appearance on The Minstrel Show on "All For You," crooning yet another hook, but, once again, do not be fooled; this is not a love song. The concept is similar to "Away From Me" off of The Listening, where Big Pooh reflected about his poor relationship with his brother and Phonte talked about how he wanted a better relationship with his son. This time, though, Pooh raps about his damaged relationship with his father. Phonte also does temporarily, but then he realizes that maybe he simply misunderstood his dad and that he had a tougher life than he thought, as Phonte begins to see his father in himself. 9th's beat is pretty solid, although the fact that this track runs nearly five minutes long may make you sick of it after a while. That was the case for me, at least. Nevertheless, this was a good cut.
10. Watch Me
The Khrysis-produced joint. I'm pretty sure I've already stated on this blog that Khrysis is my second-favorite producer behind Hi-Tek, but in case I didn't, now you know. He lives up to my high standards for him on "Watch Me," throwing on a nice, smooth Michael Jackson sample consisting of light piano hits and some well-placed vocals, and Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh ride the beat fluidly. Also, DJ Jazzy Jeff does some scratching toward the end, and it really adds a nice touch. My favorite record off of The Minstrel Show.
11. Sincerely Yours
Rapper Big Pooh gets a solo track here, and I was very happy to see that, as he is my favorite Little Brother member. He does not disappoint, either, flawlessly flowing over a great, almost nostalgic beat by 9th Wonder (I particularly love that vocal sample on the hook). It doesn't get much better than this.
12. Still Lives Through
The hook is pretty poor, but 9th's beat is nice (I love that snare), and both Pooh and Phonte come through with solid performances. This isn't one of my favorite cuts on The Minstrel Show, but it's still decent enough.
13. We Got Now
My boy Chaundon makes an appearance here, and while I've heard better verses out of him, I loved these two lines: "Hate it or love it, who fuckin' wit our music? Yeah, y'all niggas is the shit when it comes to bowel movements." 9th's beat is merely average, though.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In terms of production, The Minstrel Show displays loads more variety than The Listening. What people have to remember, though, is that The Listening was recorded very early on in 9th Wonder's career, so he hadn't really experimented with too many things yet and was essentially still learning on the job. He demonstrates considerable growth on Little Brother's sophomore effort, making the album a much more enjoyable listen from start-to-finish for hip-hop fans.
Once again, do not misconstrue what I am saying; I did indeed enjoy The Listening, but as much as I liked it, it is one of those albums that is fairly difficult to listen to all the way through in one sitting, as there is not much variation in the instrumentals.
Also (and I'm serious about this), Darien Brockington's presence really made The Minstrel Show that much better. There were only two feature artists on The Listening: Median, whom I like, and Keisha Shontelle, whom I thought was a poor choice. This album contains much better guest appearances all around, as Elzhi, Joe Scudda, and Chaundon all join Darien Brockington to make for an outstanding lineup. I usually prefer not to hear too many guest verses, but Little Brother incorporates just enough on The Minstrel Show to improve the overall effort.
For all intents and purposes, The Minstrel Show is Little Brother's best album to date, and because it doesn't look like we're ever going to get another project from the group again (it appears that they have disbanded for good), that will probably remain the case forever. The production, the lyrics, the concepts, and the choice of feature artists was all a stroke of genius by Little Brother, and all of that led to this masterpiece.
TOP FIVE TRACKS
1. Watch Me
2. Beautiful Morning
3. Slow It Down
4. Sincerely Yours
5. Not Enough
SKIPPABLE TRACKS
None.
INTRODUCTION
As I'm sure most of you already know, Rapper Big Pooh comprises half of the duo of Little Brother. However, he rarely gets his due as, for some reason, most people seem to prefer the duo's other half, Phonte. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that Phonte is much more vocal and gets his face out there much more than Pooh, but if you're going to tell me it's because 'Te is simply superior on the mic, I will spit in your face (okay; not really, but I will argue with you to the death about it).
Unlike Phonte, though, Big Pooh is the only Little Brother member to put out solo albums. 'Te did form a group called "The Foreign Exchange" with producer Nicolay and has put out three albums with him, but two of the projects are R&B records. Not that there's anything wrong with R&B, but, as good of a voice as 'Te has, I know him as a rapper; not a singer.
Anyway, going back to the original point, Pooh's debut album, appropriately named Sleepers for reasons mentioned above, is an absolute classic. Yes; I said classic. I have always considered him to be the stronger of the two Little Brother members, and he displays that on this project, which I will be reviewing now.
TRACK-BY-TRACK
1. I Don't Care
Actually, I didn't care too much for the album's opener, which I think is certainly the worst track on Sleepers. The reason being is that Khrysis' production is pretty blah (but believe me; he makes up for this one throughout the remainder of the project). Pooh does drop some solid lines, though: "Right now what we have is a world premier, new and exclusive shit, so sincere, be prepared, I'm nice wit this mic device, other niggas do joints and it don't suffice."
2. The Strongest Man
9th Wonder produces a sick, feel-good cut here which became the album's first single. Pooh flows marvelously over this, spitting: "When your boy Rapper's here, ain't no need to fret, don't worry 'bout givin' cause I'm takin' respect."
3. Heart Of The City
The second 9th beat on Sleepers is another winner, as the Grammy award-winning producer lays down a great soulful beat for Big Pooh, who phenomenally paints a picture about the struggles of inner-city life. This is one of those cuts that you really have to listen to to fully appreciate. One of the best records on the album; no doubt.
4. Every Block
This time, 9th Wonder doesn't really drop some heat. The beat here, although sort of a head-nodder, is pretty ordinary and doesn't really move me. Pooh's buddy Phonte drops by to put down a guest verse, but it's Big Pooh who comes up with the better rhymes of the two: "Still stepping with a passionate cause, but the block reveals all of your flaws hoping you give in, shifting, more swift than the panic, older brain with the pen feeling so diplomatic."
5. Just Friends
Khrysis is back here, and he kills this, laying down a sick bassline (the kicks are ill) over a booming sample. On the cut, Big Pooh talks about being friends with benefits, rapping: "I just wanna be your friend with privileges, not talkin' on' the phone all night about, where I was or who unless we went out, don't fuss and pout, 'cause you know how I do, always chill with the crew but make time for you." Really like this song.
6. Live Life
Oh man. Khrysis does it again, producing the most soulful beat imaginable. O-Dash and Spectac drop guest verses here, and they both, along with Rapper Big Pooh, rip this. O-Dash and Spectac rap about the ins and outs of life while Pooh talks about his damaged relationship with his brother, sort of like he did on "Away From Me" off of The Listening. One of the best cuts on Sleepers.
7. My Mind
I'm not too in love with this Khrysis beat, as it simply pales in comparison to most of the rest of his work on this project. That said, the lyrical content here by Pooh definitely hits you. At first, it appears that he is talking about a girl whom he let "get away," as he raps: "Some nights I can't stand to sleep, 'cause I'm thinkin' 'bout them times that I played you cheap, like you gon' be here tomorrow, I don't need to speak, peep on, it be aight, I'll check 'em out next week." Then, at the end of his verse, it seems like he was really talking about a family member (his brother? his father?), as he spits: "When I did get the call I found it hard to cry, kept on bout my daily routine, contemplatin' on 'Should I go? Should I stay? What would it mean?' That we weren't as close as it appear to be, even though he carry the same name as me, wishin' I could go back and change history, but I can't so I'll dream on, for a better us." Deep record no matter what.
8. Scars
This is probably my favorite track off of Sleepers, although the album is so sick that it's hard to truly decide. Anyway, the beat here by 9th is just ill, and Big Pooh, just as he always does, kills it: "You better think twice when you fight 'cause you playing with a life, and some niggas get trife when you playing with their life, and they go for their knife or they bust at you twice, or they take it to your crib and put a couple in your wife, or your kids or whomever, whenever they can get it." Pooh's fellow Justus Leaguers Median and Joe Scudda stop by to lay down verses, and they both do their thing, as well.
9. Between The Lines
Nicely done again, 9th. "Between The Lines" may very well be my second favorite track on the album, but, once again, it's like Sophie's Choice. I love the sample 9th uses (Baby Doll by The Fatback Band), and Pooh's lyrics are both funny and ill at the same time: "Pooh the teddy bear type, chicks like to grab it, but I got to be safe, talking prophylactics, naw, you know I'm speaking on this mind game, asking questions, steadily picking at your brain, know your tendencies and why at times your mood change, you sing a little but you sweating me you got range." I effing dig it.
10. The Jungle
"The Jungle" is the only beat on the album that wasn't laid out by Khrysis or 9th Wonder. This one was done by Big Dho, and, consequently, is probably my least favorite beat on Sleepers. Some people say this is the best track off the album, but I'm just not feeling it.
11. Now
Another great and soulful beat by 9th Wonder as Murs makes a guest appearance and kills it, rapping about how getting into the hip-hop game is not a cakewalk: "Not as simple as it looks, 16 and a hook, there's a lot more to the rap game nigga, look, that's exactly how you up and comin' artists get shook and took, for all your green, broke for self-esteem, your hopes and your dreams, it's not as easy as it seems, to get your CD on this scene, keep rappin' for fun, freestylin' to yourself." I did find this part of Murs' verse interesting, though: "We intercontinental over Khrysis' instrumentals." Um, did someone not give Murs the memo that 9th Wonder produced this cut? And I would think Murs of all people could identify a 9th beat. Jeez.
12. The Fever
Sleepers ends with another banging beat by Khrysis, and Big Pooh obliges with some sick rhymes: "They say the kid, yo it doesn't exist, I've been known to be prescripted, hand to hand to handle the fix, a contraband landed me on the list, want an issue, phlegm ripped tissue, I popped the cassette, diagnosed the disease that's been given to vets, I'm a hero outta town and come home to threats." Damn.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I can legitimately say that Sleepers is one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2000s. The production on this project is absolutely unbelievable, and Rapper Big Pooh's outstanding flow and sick lyrics never cease over the course of the 12 tracks.
I am a huge Little Brother fan, having heard each and every one of their albums and mixtapes, but despite the fact that The Listening, The Minstrel Show, The Chittlin Circuit 1.5, etc. are all classic material, Sleepers is superior to all of them. That's how good I think this album is. On another note, Phonte's projects with The Foreign Exchange cannot even stand on the shelf next to this record.
Sleepers is one of those albums you can play all the way through under any circumstances. It's a great album to cruise to, chill to, nod your head to, anything. When you have an extraordinary amount of trouble picking out your favorite song from an album, that's how you know for sure that it must have been a phenomenal record. That is my case with Sleepers.
If you don't have this, you need to go and get it now.
TOP FIVE TRACKS
1. Scars
2. Between The Lines
3. Live Life
4. Heart Of The City
5. Now
SKIPPABLE TRACKS
Hell outta here.
INTRODUCTION
Considering I just reviewed The Chittlin Circuit 1.5, I figured it would be appropriate to backtrack to where it all began for Little Brother: The Listening.
While this debut album from Little Brother has been critically acclaimed, it has also been criticized for bland and repetitious production from 9th Wonder. Again, as I stated in my review of The Chittlin Circuit 1.5, The Listening is one of 9th Wonder's earliest projects, and he obviously had not reached his peak at this point.
Regardless of what 9th's critics had to say, I (for the most part) enjoyed the production on The Listening. Did it get bogged down at some points? Sure, but overall, the record makes for a perfect companion (that actually sounded kind of gay) when you just want to chill and get some stuff off of your mind. It is certainly not Little Brother's best work, but it is still good, nonetheless.
TRACK-BY-TRACK
1. Groupie, Pt. 2
9th Wonder opens up with what is probably the second-best beat on the album (you'll see why I said "second-best" later). Strangely enough, Phonte, clearly the "frontman" of Little Brother, is absent from this track. That's actually not too big of a problem in my opinion, though, as I have always preferred Rapper Big Pooh. As you can guess, this song is about...well, groupies. It may seem lame, but it is actually one of the best tracks on The Listening. I just wish there was more rapping instead of talking, screaming, or whatever that is at the end of the song.
2. For You
The production here is decent, but Phonte's rhyme scheme just seems off, particularly in his first verse. Once again, Pooh outshines him on this track, but that doesn't necessarily mean he was ripping it, either. Decent cut; nothing spectacular.
3. Speed
I love the production here. It's a bit unorthodox, but it's good, nonetheless. As usual, Big Pooh is the stronger of the two MCs on the track, spitting: "I let my life shine in between these papers' lines, I write rhymes to incite minds, spending time on this pipeline, eighty-five, north it's like mine, going eighty five to light minds." You really have to listen to the entire verse to appreciate how sick Pooh is on this. It's probably one of the best verses he's ever spit.
4. Whatever You Say
This was the album's first single, and it's pretty solid. The beat sounds perfect to listen to on a sunny morning right before breakfast; all it's missing are some birds chirping in the background. Anyway, I really like the bassline on this. So far, the production on The Listening doesn't seem too insipid at all.
5. The Yo-Yo
I really liked this track the second I heard it. Don't ask me why, but every time I listen to it, I think of the "do you see what I see" Christmas song. The vocals in the background just kind of give off that vibe. Now that I got that out of the way, this song is about Little Brother trying to find the right chick. Lame? Maybe, but this concept has to be done on every album at some point, right?
6. Shorty On The Lookout
I love the sample that was used here. The production really is outstanding, further negating the notion that The Listening is a one-hour snorefest. "Shorty On The Lookout" is, without a doubt, one of the album's best tracks, and Median, a fellow Justus League member, makes one of only three guest appearances on The Listening (and one of the three was by Chaundon on the forty-five second album introduction called "Morning" which I did not even include in this review) and actually drops two verses.
7. Love Joint Revisited
This one is pretty damn good. Phonte and Big Pooh go back and forth and trade short verses throughout the record, and both of them do a more-than-solid job, even if they don't exactly blow you away with any standout lyricism here. I really love the production, too. Nice job, 9th.
8. So Fabulous
I remember liking this when I first heard it, but then the effect wore off after a short while. The little kid, girl, or whoever that is saying "the show-stoppin' MCs" throughout the track is just annoying, and the beat is pretty blah. Definitely not one of my favorites on The Listening.
9. The Way You Do It
This was the second single, and I have to say that I like the remixed version of it on The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 much, much better. That said, this is still a pretty good song, consisting of an extravagantly chill beat and some smooth (and uncredited) vocals over the hook. Still, of the album's two singles, I have to say that I like "Whatever You Say" better.
10. The Getup
Which brings us to, by far, the best song on the album. The beat here is absolutely incredible, and what's funny about that is this is the only beat on the album that 9th Wonder did not produce by himself. A dude by the name of "Eccentric" is actually credited as the primary producer here with some assistance from 9th. Maybe the whole "9th's beats are bland" proclamation has some merit, then? Nah, but let's focus on "The Getup." Although the hook is as simple as can possibly be (it's literally just "getup, getup, this is the getup, getup, getup, this is the getup"), it's very addictive, much like the production. Darien Brockington also drops by to add some nice flavor to the track. Remember when I said "War" was the best song Little Brother ever put out? Well, "The Getup" is second.
11. Away From Me
9th Wonder drops another sick bassline here, and I love how he incorporates the vinyl sound into the track. This song is actually very introspective and is probably the most thought-provoking record on The Listening. In the case of Big Pooh, he angrily raps about his poor relationship with his brother and how they do not even speak anymore. Phonte, on the other hand, talks about his love for his daughter. The contrasts between the two artists' stories easily make "Away From Me" one of Little Brother's most impressive tracks to date.
12. Nobody But You
Eh, this track is pretty boring. The beat doesn't really do much for me, and Keisha Shontelle's vocals just don't seem to fit.
13. Home
Neither Little Brother MC actually raps on this track. Instead, it's an instrumental by 9th Wonder with some uncredited vocals. I really like this, though. The beat is hypnotizing, as are the vocals.
14. Nighttime Maneuvers
The title essentially describes the tone of this song, as it is perfect to play at night. Phonte raps alone here, and while that would normally be a turn-off for me, I think he does a solid job: "Aiyyo, it's the new fla-vor, the next step Phonte, the best kept secret since the AIDS cure (word), I stay raw, whether they bootleg it or pay for it, old school like Prince Dejour."
It's the mesmerizing beat, though, that really makes the track go.
15. The Listening
I might have liked this a bit more if it weren't so long (it clocks in at six minutes and eight seconds), but even if the length were to be cut down, I probably still wouldn't dig this that much. I'm just not too crazy about the beat. This was not a very good way to end the album, but the rest of it was so good that it doesn't really matter all that much. The title track will not be the lasting impression I have of The Listening.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While I can see why some people might find the production here to be a bit monotonous, I really like it. Nowadays, 9th Wonder's beats generally don't sound anything like this, as his beatmaking skills have advanced considerably over the years, but that doesn't mean that he didn't do a heck of a job on The Listening.
Perhaps if this album weren't so long, critics wouldn't have as much to say about it, as they wouldn't have a chance to knock the production for being so limited. I think if you really sit down and thoroughly listen to this record, though, you will see that 9th's production certainly varies and that each track does, in fact, sound distinct from the last.
There were really no significant low points on The Listening for me to harp on. As a whole, I think this was a very good album. I don't think it was as good as The Minstrel Show or The Chittlin Circuit 1.5, but it was a bit better than Getback and undoubtedly superior to Little Brother's final (and, in my opinion, somewhat futile) project, LeftBack (note: by the time Getback was released, 9th Wonder had left the group, and "Breakin' My Heart" was the only track on that album that he produced. He did not produce a single track on LeftBack).
So, now that you have read this review, go cop this album, then find a quiet place with no distractions, throw some headphones on, and drift out to the smooth, serene sounds of 9th Wonder and Little Brother.
TOP FIVE TRACKS
1. The Getup
2. Away From Me
3. Shorty On The Lookout
4. Speed
5. Groupie, Pt. 2
SKIPPABLE TRACKS
Nobody But You
INTRODUCTION
Okay; so The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 is really more of a mixtape than an album, but nevertheless, it has LP-like length and I just got through listening to it, so therefore, I am choosing to review it.
Generally, there is no in between for Little Brother; you either absolutely love them, or you find them incredibly boring (a lot of people simply do not like 9th Wonder's beats). While their debut album, The Listening (released in 2003), may have had some dull points, let's not forget that that was the very beginning of 9th's career, and, subsequently, many of his beats sounded amateurish and/or redundant because of it.
By the time The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 was dropped in 2005, 9th Wonder had released his first solo album, The Dream Merchant, Vol. 1. As you can guess, his production variety had improved vastly since The Listening, leading one to have high hopes for this Little Brother mixtape.
No one ever questioned the rapping ability of Rapper Big Pooh or Phonte (the two MCs of Little Brother); the problem many people had was being able to listen to an entire Little Brother album without falling asleep. Hopefully for all parties involved, Little Brother could break that pattern with The Chittlin Circuit 1.5. TRACK-BY-TRACK
1. War
What a start. "War" may very well be the best track 9th Wonder has ever produced, using a sample of Marvin Gaye's "Anna's Song." It is a very upbeat record that both rappers kill, but Big Pooh (who is easily the better rapper of the two, in my opinion) is the one who really shines: "I got the, heart of a lion, eye of the tiger, 20/20 vision watchin' shit transpire, non-perishable my records don't expire, I'm that blue flame if we're speakin' on fires." Sick. Every Little Brother fan (or hip-hop fan in general) should have "War" in their catalog, as it is the best song the group has ever put out; bar none.
2. Third Party
I didn't like this song the first time I heard it, but it quickly grew on me. Khrysis' beat is pretty awesome, and you know what the best part is? He used a sample from Sesame Street. That's right; effing Sesame Street.
3. The Honorable
"The Honorable" is pretty straightforward, sounding like your prototypical Little Brother song. That's not to say it's terrible, but it isn't very entertaining, to say the least. Thankfully, Chaundon stops by to drop a verse, highlighted by these two lines: "If my name's in your mouth, every time the wind blows, I toss your Microsoft ass out of ninety-eight windows."
4. On The Way
Now this is pretty good. It's no "War," but how many songs are? While the beat is very simple, it is catchy, and it suits Phonte and Pooh perfectly. The snare drum is the best part of this record; it's almost hypnotizing. Phonte drops some great lines, too: "The honorable, least benevolent, it's 'Te spitting game like a ref with a speech impediment, whether they radical screamin' 'impeach the president,' or a senator caught in Middle East embezzlement,
I never ease the elegance, Phonte - he's the delegate."
5. Nobody Like Me
This one is alright. It's not great, and it's not bad. I really don't have much else to say other than the fact that it sounds like it belongs on The Listening.
6. What You Do
This is one of the stronger tracks on The Chittlin Circuit 1.5. The beat is incredibly smooth and Pooh rips it: "In the mind of this nigga brainstorming, he gotta get her back, somebody gonna take the rap, so he kept putting bait in the trap until the snake bit." He also kills his part of the hook, rapping: "You better watch what you say and what you do, 'cause you never really know who got they eyes on you, they be plotting, scheming, eyeing, scoping, waiting for the day they get you out in the open."
7. The Yo-Yo (Remix)
That brings us to the first of a three-part series of remixed tracks from The Listening. It's hard to say whether this version of "The Yo-Yo" or the original is better, but either way, I really like both. The beat here is very smooth and relaxing, much like its predecessor.
8. Nighttime Maneuvers (Remix)
In this case, the original is definitely the stronger of the two songs. I thought "Nighttime Maneuvers" was one of the best tracks off of The Listening, so remixing here is just an injustice.
9. The Way You Do It (Remix)
Why Little Brother decided to take three old tracks and remix them right smack dab in the middle of The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 is a story for another day, but even with that said, the remix to "The Way You Do It" is very, very effective and is one of the best songs on this mixtape. I mean seriously; what a beat.
10. Altitudes
"Smoothness" and 9th Wonder are seemingly inseparable. "Altitudes" just affirms that notion, as the beat is extremely steady and grounded. Pooh puts down some good lines over it, too, including: "Who ready for a trip where the sky's the limit? These days nobody slide, they rely on gimmicks."
11. Welcome To Durham
The beat on "Welcome To Durham" is fantastic, so fantastic that Big Daddy Kane decides to hop on and drop a verse (I never thought I'd see the day that BDK collaborated with LB, but hey, who's complaining?). I'm sure you can guess by the title what the song is about, and if not, then you might want to brush up on your geography.
12. Starvation
Chaundon, who seamlessly fits in with Little Brother, makes his second appearance on the mixtape on this Khrysis-produced track. He does a fine job, as usual. "Starvation" isn't spectacular, but it's definitely a solid cut.
13. Flash and Flare
L.E.G.A.C.Y., another member of The Justus League collective, drops in to rap a verse over a very nice beat by 9th Wonder. Horns blare throughout the track and constant thunderous hats are present, as well. The "ohs" in the background tend to become irritating after a while, but that one little hiccup doesn't take too much away from this record, which is pretty good.
14. Take It There
This track really grew on me after a couple of listens. The beat may seem dull when it first starts out, but fret not, as it evolves into a real head-nodder. I also really love the hook here. This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite records off of The Chittlin Circuit 1.5. Honestly, I have not found too many weak points on this mixtape thus far.
15. Ladies' Jam
Jay-Z's boy Young Guru produces the beat here, and he does a heck of a job. "Ladies' Jam" is pretty similar in concept to "Groupie Pt. 2" off of The Listening, but I like this track a bit better for the simple fact that it actually has some length to it. "Groupie Pt. 2," while very good, consisted of way too much talking instead of rapping toward the end of the track.
16. Doin' Me
This is the third and final Khrysis joint on the mixtape, and it's the best of the bunch. The beat is very fluid and complements Little Brother perfectly. A rapper named Supasition also flows effortlessly over the production. I wouldn't say it's one of my favorite tracks off of The Chittlin Circuit 1.5, but it's still pretty good.
17. The Beginning
That brings us to The Chittlin Circuit 1.5's finale, a song naturally named "The Beginning." It is Illmind, however, who earns the final production on the mixtape, and he comes through with one of the better beats on it. A female singer named Yahzarah sings the hook, a hook which seems fairly conspicuous on this record. That said, "The Beginning" is a very nice cut.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you're going to take anything away from The Chittlin Circuit 1.5, it's that, at the very least, 9th Wonder had clearly grown and matured as a producer by this point. You still had some naysayers who said (and still do say) that he used too many of the same drums and too many similar-sounding samples, but in my opinion, 9th's production on this mixtape remains steady and nearly flawless throughout.
Once again, Rapper Big Pooh and Phonte prove that they are more than comfortable on the mic, tirelessly spitting great metaphors and punchlines over a bunch of silky and soulful productions by The Justus League (and the one by Young Guru). Three months later, Little Brother would release their second full-length album, The Minstrel Show, regarded by many (including myself) to be the best album Little Brother has ever put out.
Judging by the way most people felt about The Listening, seeing a 17-track mixtape produced predominantly by 9th Wonder would probably look like a horse tranquilizer at first glance, but that turns out to be quite the contrary after delving into it, as it is 9th's crafty production that really carries The Chittlin Circuit 1.5. I will admit that I was a bit disappointed that at no point during the mixtape did any song even begin to approach the sickness of "War," but hey; that happens sometimes.
TOP FIVE TRACKS
1. War
2. The Way You Do It (Remix)
3. Welcome To Durham
4. On The Way
5. Ladies' Jam
SKIPPABLE TRACKS
None.
