Brother Ali's Latest CD "Us"

"Us" by Brother Ali (2009)

Brother Ali is a long timer ... he's been dropping rhymes for sometime. He's a part of the Rhymesayers camp too (that doesn't just mean hip hop, but quality hip hop).

"Us" is Brother Ali's most recent project. This cd is killer. "Fresh Air" is supposed to be the first release from the disk. It's got some tempo to it and he's got some bounce in his flow. During the hook on the track, it reminds me of some old school funk like Slave or Lakeside. As a matter of fact, I might want to check the liner notes to see if he's sampling something from back in the day.

"Fresh Air" is not my fav track on "Us". "House Keys" is like watching a movie in your mind. The scenery that Ali paints about living in an apartment building are so vivid that you'll think you can leave your place and go there. He creates that kind of realness w/words.

What I like about Brother Ali is his ability to quickly weave words in a way that gives you an immediate visual. And he's not always boasting about himself. He's talking about the community, the impact of government and big business on the world and more. He's a rhyming master storyteller.

So here's something for you to spend your Egyptian pounds/Euros/Pesos on ... something fresh and something new.

Don't let anyone take your mic hip hoppers. Get your shine on. kfox.