All of The Above

Tuesday, New York MC, J-Live released his new album, "Then What Happened" (which from what i can tell is a music download only album, unfortunately) and it got me reminiscing about discovering his now 6 year old album, "All of The Above." This album is one of those albums that i can really apply images and vivid memories to. Similar to that of Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek's "Reflection Eternal"(this spawns and entirely different thought/post-also much to speak on) I've kinda forgotten about it recently while on the neverending quest for new and undiscovered(to me) music but as I sit here now with it on loop i realize again how much I love it, how high quality it is, how important it is and the reason why i actually went out and bought it twice. Because of the great experiences I've had through this album and thoughts that followed it makes me think of what music is to a person and how a piece of music may be more than just a great composition. I think an album is truley important and holds a place in one's memory when it can be remembered as a conversation piece and as something that's shared through experience(s). Aside from my personal reasons for loving this record, anyone who is at all interested in Hip-Hop or music in general should take a listen to "All of The Above" or BUY IT-but i know you won't. It's fantastic, it's thought provoking, and stretches the entire length of an album's capacity-which is quite rare these days.

-Jon
Stacks Press