J-Live - Reveal The Secret

People not in tune to the fine true-school stylings of J-Live would be wise to check him out. His first album, The Best Part, was recorded between '95 and '99 suffered from many distribution problems and was shelved twice. Bootlegs were available in early 2001 and by the autumn the full album was released by J-Live himself on his own label, Triple Threat Productions. It's a fantastic album and features the tempo-bending 'Them That's Not', a track with Asheru called 'Kick It To The Beat' and features production from Premier, Pete Rock and Prince Paul. Listening to it makes you wonder why the hell it was ever shelved, and it's definitely one of my favorite records from that era. The official release has a bonus track called 'Epilogue' - an amazing tribute to the intelligent hip hopper and a lesson to the uneducated.

Since then, J-Live has collaborated with a host of heavy weights including Handsome Boy Modeling School, DJ Spinna, J. Rawls, Soulive, Rob Swift and R.A the Rugged Man on the 'Wu-Tang meets the Indie Culture' album, as well as releasing a couple of EPs in 2003 ('Always Has Been' and 'Always Will Be') and two albums ('All of the Above' in 2002 and 'The Hear After' in 2005). All of them are as dope as they come and well worth the money, especially the two EPs. In 2006, heads turned when relatively unknown beatsmith King E from Pennsylvania took 'the Hear After' and mashed it up with tracks from the legendary Roy Ayers. In October this year, his newest EP ' Reveal The Secret' was released on BBE records.

Taking up production duties are Jazzy Jeff, Da Beatminerz, Marco Polo and previous collaborators, DJ Spinna and Odisee. All the tracks bounce along and provide more than enough backbone for J-Live to open up on. Although only six tracks it encompasses story raps, party jams (including a rework of Let Me Clear My Throat) and political insight while still maintaining a sense of whole.

J-Live's working on a new album at the moment, once again collaborating with DJ Spinna. Until we can get our grubby little paws on it let this tide you over.

Tracklisting:

1. The Incredible
2. Once Upon A Mic
3. Practice (Magnificent Mix)
4. Feel Like Spittin'
5. Red Light Green Light
6. Practice (Spaghetti Bender Mix)

Purchase:
You can buy the album from Amazon, Juno or BBE.
You can download the album from iTunes, Dancetracks Digital and eMusic.