The record consists of 13 tracks, featuring collaborations with labelmates Sam Ock and Gowe alongside NAK, Mickey Cho and John Givez.
Tower Ivory blends hip-hop with elements of gospel, jazz and blues. J. Han recognizes the album as "the realization of [his] musical identity, and his journey towards manhood." It reminds listeners that the expedition on life's journey is equally as important as the destination reached.
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Han Solo| Posted June 09, 2015
My first exposure to J. Han was as part of the trio known as AMP.
With his latest album, Tower Ivory, J stands strong as a soloist and offers up an album that blends hip hop and R&B with just a hint of tongue-in-cheek thrown in for good measure.
The album opens with promise with the track "Watch Out." J's flow is tight on this one and he shows off his ability to play with metaphors to keep you interested in what he is saying. The production quality is strong with a nice, laid back bass line. The word play continues on "Villain" and for good measure the hook is sung by newcomer Shela.
However, on "Tired" J turns to relying solely on his vocals to carry this Gospel-inspired track. He does rap on the track but the bars feel forced into a place that they don't really fit.
We return to the hip-hop on "Miscalculated," and if you've read any of my reviews before, you will know I have a soft spot for some old school record scratching and piano-driven songs. I caught myself randomly starting to bob my head to this track and thinking about the old days. The lyricism returns on this one.
When I first got the album the Star Wars geek in me got excited for the track "Han Solo." The beat is catchy on this one and the bass hits just right. The verses on this track is where it shines. The bridge/chorus leaves me wondering and just a feeling that it was forced to get something in there.
The straight hip-hop vibe gets a jazzy infusion on "Comrade," and things get soulful again with "Thank Me Later." This is the most intimate song on the album and talks about the difficulty that comes with relationships.
The tongue gets implanted firmly in the cheek on "Chukkas." Instead of rapping about Jordans, J drops a rhyme about his chukkas. Not necessarily the choice for most rappers but, hey, I always rock my chukkas, so I can relate. The song is about more than boots though, it is about expressing your own individuality and not following along with the mainstream.
Closing Thoughts: Tower Ivory will draw a few fans to its simplicity and wholesomeness. It is definitely an album that the whole family can listen to and doesn't delve into the darker side of urban culture or the darker side of culture in general. J. Han shines when he is rapping, he has a solid rap flow and has a pure ability to play with metaphors and bring a smile to the listener's face. The album is worth a listen, however, more than likely, it will not find itself on repeat.
Song to Download Now:
"Han Solo" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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