aaamusic | On 06, Nov 2011

Most groups only reform once but in the case of Freestyle Fellowship this will be their second reformation. Originally formed in 1991 they released their first two albums including the seminal Innercity Griots before splitting in 1993. Reconvening in 2001 for some more releases that mainly consisted of them rehashing the first two records. But they are back again with a new album ‘The Promise’ picking up right where they left off.

Due to their love of improvised lyrics rather than have the ‘flow’ that many other rappers have the lyrics are very choppy and often use a litany of references to illustrate the point they are making. Something they have done since the very beginning but this type of style has since been mastered by the likes of Antipop Consortium.

Because hip-hop has drastically changed in terms of production since they were first around and from the last time the reformed the music can at times sound dated. But what the groups strongest is and always been is the lyrics which they have never lost sight of. They still have use their lyrics to address social issues and all framed with the same sharp wit that made them their name.

At the risk of sounding cynical this album is a bit ‘back to the usual’. It may not be a great leap forward in terms of their sound but what they do it always almost near perfect. They do what they do and they do it very well.

 

Barry Gray