Note: This is the 6th solo album from veteran, L.A. underground MC Aceyalone (pronounced ‘ay-see-uh-lone’), a founding member of the early ‘90s group Freestyle Fellowship.
Also note: Every track on Magnificent City was produced by adventurous, cut-and-paste producer RJD2.
Sound: A mix of vintage (turntable scratching, funky guitar grooves, big brass horns, disco/soul vocals and even proggy art rock organs), futuristic (hard-edged synths, throbbing apocalyptic jingle bells) and bold (harp flourishes, using the din of the noises at a bar as a backdrop) production.
Lyrics: Street storytelling, pro-weed activism, socially conscious empowerment
Heavy Rotation tracks: “Caged Birds“; “High Lights”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Supahero“; “Disconnected“; “Solomon Jones”
Recommended: RJD2’s production is impressive and fascinating throughout. Unfortunately the hooks and lyrics don’t achieve the same high standard as often. Curiously, the middle of the album (tracks 5-9) is where everything comes together.
Grade: B

(As posted 3/13/06 on davepowersmusic.com)
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