DJ Quik - Under the Influence

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Free Music Notes for Under the Influence

Free Music Review: Head-nodding goodness from one of the best in the biz
Hit: 5 Stars

As a collection of pure beats, this album is probably the best to be released this year, with an incredible array of styles essentially grounded by the West coast theme: the synth pulse of "Trouble" bubbles the same way the chorus lyrics do; the stripped-down snare beat with acoustic guitar layerings perfectly accents the somber theme of "50 Ways"; "Murda 1 Case" displays a sinister piano riff with the slightest hint of reggae; and "Gina Statuatorre" takes that reggae vibe and expands it to include Rastafarian vocals and synthesized chords highlighting the upbeats. As these and the rest of the tracks prove, Quik is still very much in his prime.

Still, Quik's ability to lay down a fat track are rarely, if ever, questioned. What has come under some scrutiny, however, is his lyrical prowess. While far from shabby, his lyrics have not always been perceived as living up to the benchmark set by his production value. This is the area where Quik's veteran status really pays off, not only because of his improved rhyme-writing, but also due to the talented help it has allowed him to enlist. How many producers would be able to pull strings to get as great and varied rappers as Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and Dr. Dre to appear on their albums? Not many, that's for sure. Despite all that talent backing him, DJ Quik is not upstaged here; this is his album and his time to shine. And shine he does on tracks like the heart-wrenchingly introspective "50 Ways", where he shows the soft side of a hardened rap veteran in much the same way as 2Pac so masterfully did in his prime. In the end, that softer side coupled with the hardcore feel of the rest of the album is a winning one-two punch that is put way over the top by the incredible production value. If you're a fan of Quik, you won't be disappointed by this one; and if you're not, this album is a reason why you should be.

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