The emcee: Sareem Poems from the LA Symphony crew. The DJ: Dust of Mars ILL and Deepspace 5 fame. The project: a duo by the name of PND (which stands for Poems N Dust). For the past four years, the two artists of PND have been working on their first album together, the cleverly-titled Dirty Words. After working hard on it and shopping around to different labels, it finally saw the light of day thanks to the newer hip hop label, Humble Beast. It's available in digital and physical form, and instrumentals of the tracks are also available for purchase. The duo got together in 2006 when Dust thought Poems would be a good emcee to rap over his beats. Turns out it was a good decision. As usual, Dust's beats are some of the best in the game, with terrific-sounding beats comprised of real instruments. Opening track "Power to the People" has one of the hottest beats on the album. It's very drum heavy with a lot of funk and 70s influence. In fact, there's quite a bit of 70s influence throughout Dirty Words, mixing an overall retro sound with more modern style beats. "Lonestar" acts as the album's first single. The music features some jazzy piano and soulful guitars and female vocal samples in the hook. Dust also mixes some retro, disco-esque style strings with something similar to a Jay-Z track in "Dig Deep." The beat here is a little odd, coming to a stop on numerous occasions during the track, but when it's going full steam, it's very well-produced. Also, some of the piano doesn't feel like it works too well, but that aside, it's quality Dust production. Even with minor nuances like that, it's very hard to be disappointed in Dust's beats. Read More Here The booming presences of both Poems and Dust are noticeable from the very start of the album. Dust immediately brings you into the PND project with an up-tempo beat that’s rich in sound and doesn’t skimp on the drums. As Poems begins his verse, however, it sounds almost as if this particular beat outpaces his vocals. While this style of and speed of instrumental is not what one would commonly hear on a Poems track, he does ultimately pull the track off successfully, giving the album a strong start. The project presses on after this whirlwind of an introductory track to reveal a steady and methodical piece of work.Dirty Words doesn’t miss a step the rest of the way through as Poems and Dust are able to harmonize their two distinct tastes without one overpowering the other’s. Tracks like “Listen Up,” “Change” and “Dig Deep” showcase the power with which Poems can lay down vocals. Poems’ voice itself is powerful enough, yet he also knows how to impose it on tracks in a way that demands the listener’s attention. Not to be silence despite the absence of his voice, the influence of Dust is written all over Dirty Words. “Power to the People,” “Oz,” and “Give Thanks” particularly have a feel that bear witness to what could be deemed classic Dust. The selection of drums, his patterns of scratching over the track and the samples he chooses to use in Dirty Words are recognizable to even the causal listener of any Mars Ill project. Not to be left without mention is the track “Lone Star.” This track is absolutely masterful. Both artists seemingly maximize on their strengths on this track to create something soulful, provoking and above all powerful. It is one thing to try to comprehend it based on written description, and quite another to behold it for yourself. With a combination of power, thought, grit and variety, Dirty Words comes out to be a well-grounded album with lots to offer. Throughout the project Poems expounds upon some of his most inner convictions while challenging all who listen to be empowered in the pursuit of a higher good. If his straightforward lyrics weren’t influential enough in themselves, Poems’ powerful vocals assure that the words are driven home. While Poems has his lyrical fingerprints all over the album, this is through and through a Dust project. His sound is unmistakable and the result of countless years of experience. Simply said, Dirty Wordswould not be remotely what it is without the foundation he sets for it. This is a project that exemplifies a culmination of precision in thought and appreciation of eclecticism that should not be missed by any who seek good, fundamental hip hop. Read More Here |
Comments