Masta Ace - Long Hot Summer
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Masta AceEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2004-09-05
Music Label: Yosumi / M3
Soundtracks:
- The Count (Interlude)
- Big City
- Good Ol Love
- Fats Belvedere (Interlude)
- Da Grind Feat. Apocalypse
- H.O.O.D.
- The Stoop (Interlude)
- Beautiful
- F.A.Y. Feta. Strick
- Fats Crib (Interlude)
- Soda & Soap Feat. Jean Grae
- Do It Man Feat Big Noyd
- Brooklyn Masala Feat. Leschea
- The Proposition (Interlude)
- Travelocity Feat. Punch&Words
- The Ways
- Wutuwankno Feat. Edo G.
- The After Party (Interlude)
- Oh My God Feat. The Beatnuts & Rahzel
- Cellmate (Interlude)
- Revelations
Free Music Notes for Long Hot Summer
Free Music Review: Passionate, clever, and beautiful
Hit: 5 Stars
Fifteen years into his rap career, Masta Ace was a well-seasoned veteran who despite his incredible talent never received the attention or respect he deserved. From his days in Marley Marl's legendary Juice Crew, the Brooklyn native has been releasing truly awesome hip hop albums well under the mainstream radar. His fifth release, 2004's "A Long Hot Summer," is among the best musical projects he's ever been involved with. By this point, Ace had been used and abused by major labels, and his disillusionment with the hip hop game shows on this effort. "A Long Hot Summer" is a loose concept album, serving as a prelude to the story that takes place on his 2001 album Disposable Arts. The story follows Ace and his friend Fats Belvedere as they live their lives in Brooklyn, get involved in some laundering scandals, and head to jail. Ace proves to be a truly enlightening rapper. He is a real talent as a lyricist, a great vocabularist capable of executing ingenious metaphors and storylines. But what I enjoy most about Ace is his passion. He is so emotional and dramatic on this album that you can really feel his pain, depression, or wonder on the different songs. "A Long Hot Summer" showcases very solid east coast production, but the spotlight shines on Ace throughout. A crew of guests make nice appearances, enhancing the story and songs with great chemistry as well. The quality of this music is really incredible, the only complaint I might have is that the album's a little long at 22 tracks. In any event, this is a really inspiring and beautiful work, an underappreciated "mastapiece," and one of the greatest hip hop albums of the last five years.
The intro sets the scene for the story. In the "down and out" New York City, Ace and his homeboy Fats Belvedere are counting money in a Motel 6 when the police burst in on their party, and Ace begins to recount the entire summer's journey from jail. "Big City" is the first full song, and Ace profiles his hometown as a dangerous yet prideful place, talking about its inhabitants and ways of life. He also drops a message about how he perceives the government locks up black people for trying to make a living. "Good Ol Love" is a strong track both lyrically and musically, his verses are heartfelt and personal, and the chorus is very nice. "Da Grind" is a very well-produced shout out to people struggling to make ends meet. Both Ace and Apocalypse drop some thoughtful lines. "H.O.O.D." continues in the same vein, discussing the hardships of the ghetto in a dramatic yet affectionate style. The two best songs on the album follow. "Beautiful" is a truly gorgeous song where Masta Ace comments on the beautiful things he sees in the world. The beat is, well, beautiful, nostalgic and contemplative, and Ace's rhymes and chorus are inspiring. This song shows what a powerful performer he really can be. I think my favorite song, though, is "F.A.Y." featuring Strick. This song is really emotional, but also totally hilarious. The two rappers trade depressed verses about the struggles of the music industry and feeling dealing with depression, yet they're very funny and display chemistry ("Strick told me I should quit playa hatin', but f...k it, I'm not a quitter!"). The beat and chorus on this song are perfect as well, catchy and fitting. "Soda and Soap" is a conceptual gem featuring Jean Grae (hip hop's greatest female MC?), where the deep rhymes are delivered metaphorically through the names of soft drinks and cleaning products. The beat is also excellent on this song. Queensbridge vet Big Noyd guests on the rough "Do It Man," which continues the procession of excellent beats as well. "Brooklyn Masala" is a subtle, toned song with sweet rhymes to a beloved girlfriend. "Travelocity" is a solid track but not a highlight, just entertaining. "The Ways" is about corruption in major labels, and how some rappers use violence to get deals. Ed O.G. shows up on "Wutuwanko," where the two squash rumors about their careers and chronicle their music lives. The hook is really nice on this song. The Beatnuts lace "Oh My God," but the beat's just average, this is actually probably the weakest track on the album. The last full song, "Revelations," reminds me of an Eminem song, it's a very personal narrative of the thoughts going through his mind. "Outtakes" is a clever closing, it's like a blooper reel at the end of a movie.
Like the rapper himself, "A Long Hot Summer" did not receive the credit it was due, and is a little hard to find in stores now. East coast heads should consider this a must-buy, Ace's passion and entertainment value are at times unmatched. Even if you're not familiar with him and his winding career, this is an album you can appreciate and love just the same.
Long Hot Summer Poster
This summer is gonna be especially hot as Masta Ace gets set to drop his 5th full length album ?A Long Hot Summer?. After his critically acclaimed 2001 masterpiece ?Disposable Arts?, Ace returns with the prequel. In an era of disjointed rap albums that are typically an uneven mixture of hits and filler, ?A Long Hot Summer? sets itself apart, by telling a compelling story through it?s incredible songs & interludes.Packed with warm, soulful beats from some of the games best producers; this conceptual album follows the life of an underground rapper trying to make his way through the mean streets of Brooklyn. With guest appearances by The Beatnuts, Big Noyd, Edo G., Jean Grae, Punch & Words and Rahzel, ?A Long Hot Summer? succeeds in maintaining it?s cohesiveness throughout the riveting storyline.
The lyrics are deep and introspective. The songs are colorful and panoramic; forming what should be one of the best albums of the year and one of the most consistent Hip-Hop albums in recent memory.
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