Before the LP – Eye-Que
Eye-Que (far left) and the Live Assist
I’m sitting here spoiled by lyricism and poetry at its greatest, tranquilizing grooves, beautiful guest appearances, a FRICKEN’ horn section! And this all comes before the LP?!?
Setting the bar high, Eye-Que and the Live Assist’s new project, suggestively entitled Before the LP, comes as a breath of fresh air! If not simply for the promise of something better/longer from the group, the album itself simply introduces a new category of live band-based Hip Hop music. In the loom of the likes of Linkin Park/Jay-Z and the Roots, Eye-Que and the Live Assist carefully borrowed the attributes from those who have done this before them, while successfully creating a unique sound of their own. A fun listen if you copped his last album Mainstream Underground as the band skillfully recreates originally sampled tracks from an array of producers, to assist Eye-Que’s flow. Acting as a musical John Stockton, the Live Assist does just what their name implies for the unstoppable force of the group’s Karl Malone, Eye-Que. Supporting cast including Moonshine’s Cooperative’s, Dash, and R&B Songstress, Alyriki, fill the melodic voids to create a complete sounding package.
A Few Things We Liked:
“Growing Apart” – We’ve heard this song before. Appearing on his last album and produced by Hi5ve the song carried enough soul to be called that capital of Korea. The Live Assist recreated this classic, perfectly! But the lyrics, the lyrics, the lyrics are what got us! An added 3rd verse from the original showcases another missed connection from the honesty heart of Eye-Que. Not to mention Dash and Alyriki with the harmony.
“Check Out My Kicks” – I remember, almost two years ago now when Eye-Que performed this song to a ultra live crowd in Chico, CA. By the end of the song half the crowd had at least one of their shoes up in the air showin’ em off! Whether its the oh-so-familiar Jackson 5 motif or the catchy hook. There’s something contagious about this song that leaves you singing the words for days!
All in all, Before the LP is one small step for Eye-Que, one giant step for Hip Hop.