The sixth album from legendary hip-hop group Souls of Mischief, THERE IS ONLY NOW, is a unique cinematic '90s crime tale of love, loss, and revenge. A conceptual collaboration with producer Adrian Younge and the first release on his freshly launched Linear Labs Records label, There Is Only Now gets it's inspiration from a near fatal incident involving group members A-Plus, Opio, Tajai, and Phesto early in their careers. Set in 1994, THERE IS ONLY NOW serves as a bookend to two decades of music since the release of their seminal debut album, '93 TIL INFINITY. THERE IS ONLY NOW sees the Souls of Mischief crew members trading bars with a cast of hip-hop and soul luminaries. Narrated by a Tribe Called Quest member Ali Shaheed Muhammed - as DJ for fictional local Oakland radio station K-Now - the album's story unfolds under his all-seeing eye. Busta Rhymes makes an appearance as the story's villain, Womack, on 'Womack's Lament,' while William Hart of the legendary vocal soul group, the Delfonics, lends his buttery falsetto to the contemplative 'Another Side of You.' Snoop Dogg drops knowledge on the situation between Stoney and Womack with an ice cold verse on the title track, 'There Is Only Now,' and Scarub from Living Legends goes in on 'Stone Cold.' Souls of Mischief and Adrian Younge have created a hip-hop album like no other. The result of a special moment for all involved, THERE IS ONLY NOW proves that after two decades in the rap game hip-hop's Fab Four remains committed to the expansion of their legacy as hip-hop innovators and pioneers.
Y**!
Souls did it right with this one.
Souls and Adrian Young are bringing things to another level with "There Is Only Now". This album is surprisingly and refreshingly dope. The concept works, the flow works and S.O.M. shows the rest of the Whack crews how MCing is done. The story-telling is on point and the direction is clear and cinematic. This album is as much visual as it it is lyrical and I find myself putting this purchase in heavy rotation. Needless-to-say, this will get play in the ride. This is the best Souls album since No Man's Land. That Said, 93 Til stands on its own as one of the Classics. I am refreshed and happy to give this album run.
S**S
Different album, points for creative approach but will note get replay value that other SOM albums get
This album has its moments where it is very enjoyable. The backing music sounds like live drums, etc. which adds to the creative intrigue. The story of the album is interesting as well. The only drawback is that Souls of Mischief have released better albums than this one so while it is unfair to judge vs. older albums, I can't help but reminded that the Souls of Mischief crew has masterpieces vs this album which renders this album "just okay" vs. "Amazing".
P**C
Souls rule
Nice album from the vets known as soul of mischeif
B**M
The Souls and Adrian Younge are giving you a nice refreshing change in this hip hop game
The Souls and Adrian Younge are giving you a nice refreshing change in this hip hop game. Live analog instruments, detailed and fresh lyrics, and a very smooth listen. This is a true album that you can listen to front to back. I truly enjoy it.
S**R
Great
Excellent 👍
C**S
THANK YOU, SOULS OF MISCHIEF
This is an absolute HIP-HOP BANGAH!!!!!!! Forget about all this watered down, softcore, weak mess being pushed on us. This is well produced & masterful MC-ing in its purest form. PLEASE DON'T SLEEP ON IT!!!!
K**R
Great album!
This is a great album and the combination of Adrian Younge with this prolific rap group made this a a resident disc in the CD-changer. Opio, Tajai, and A-plus team with Ali Shaheed Muhammad to make this one listen-worthy every time it is the next disc up. Other albums I would have grown tired of by this point. After buying this, I had to listen to Prhyme as Adrian young appears as a producer on that album featuring DJ Premier. I still feel that this album has a more repeatable-listening quality to it than Prhyme.
R**N
Five Stars
Very happy customer
A**Y
Grown folk hip hop- One of my personal top three hip hop albums of the Year
First and foremost, this album deserves a lot more recognition than what it's received- This is Souls of Mischief's sixth studio album, although none have really had the critical acclaim that their sublime debut "93 Til Infinity" received.21 Years on from the first LP, this album pushes all the right buttons- Think a large part of this can be accredited to Adrian Younge's superb production on the album- It is classic jazzy hip hop, harking back to the eras of Digable Planets, Brand Nubian and albums such as Commons 'Resurrection' album.The fact the album comes with a bonus instrumental disc is also a nice touch, being that I appreciate instrumental hip hop (stuff like Dilla's 'Donuts' album, any one of Madlib's immense discography; that kind of ilk)The emceeing on this album is totally on point; each of the group flow over the beats flawlessly like the veterans of the game that they are- Guest appearances are at a minimal, but Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg bring their A games on the respective tracks that they grace.In summary, this is a great reminder that hip hop still has it's soul in 2014; no party tracks, no bad gimmicks, just real old school sounding grown man rap. Highly recommended.
L**S
ATCQ members never disappoint
Killa track
H**E
3/5 pour ce très bon album
le retour des souls franchment l'album est très bon mais il manque le petit truc qui aurait pu faire de ce nouveau LP une tuerrrieee maintenant le tous reste de très bon niveau inclus le cd2 remplis des instru donc c'est plutot cool tout ca ensuite je dirai que l'album sonne très soul en feat snoop dogg, busta rhymes et ali voilà un album que je conseil
R**3
Five Stars
GREAT
K**R
Five Stars
Classic
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