This Movement Doesn't Stop
Posted November 23, 2015
By MarkRyan_NRT, Staff Reviewer
The crew from Good Fruit Co. is back with a new compilation of songs from artists both on their label, like Sam Ock and J. Han, and those from outside the immediate family: Shope, Dru Bex, Verseatile, Manifest (not to be confused with Manafest), Hee Sun Lee and NAK. Sam Ock and J. Han are familiar names from the group known as AMP, and they make up the heart of The Movement, Vol I. With a roster consisting of freshmen, sophomores and veterans of the business, the album brings a diverse variety of sounds and styles.
Having reviewed the latest from AMP and J. Han in the last twelve months, I was fairly familiar with what to expect. The addition of Shope, Dru Bex and Hee Sun Lee to the album had me in anticipation that the crew's move from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) to Atlanta would improve their maturity and production values as compared to past projects.
I was not disappointed. There is a definite growth in both J. Han's and Sam Ock's style and flow rhythm. On "Slow Down," J. Han brings his own unique style, but he sounds smoother on his delivery. Sam Ock shows up on the smooth sounding "Stay." His flow shows a new level of maturity, and he displays his vocalist abilities on the hook. '
On "Bullet and Gun" Sam Ock shows off some more of his versatility, especially on the hook and the bridge. I was impressed with his singing abilities, and at times he had me thinking of old school Andy Mineo back in the C-Lite days when he featured on Lecrae's "Background."
The addition of Shope and Dru Bex added a level of grit to the album. The bassline on "Hi Times" was a definite highlight, and the Star Wars references from Dru Bex get bonus points. Anytime a rapper can work Mace Windu into his verse is always reason to smile. Speaking of infectious grooves, the drum sample on "Our Sound" gets the head bobbing and the shoulders swaying. Hee Sun Lee delivers a strong message against racism on the track, and it is racism from a different point of view. Asians in hip hop get very little respect, and on this track Hee Sun Lee lets us know about it.
Closing Thoughts:
Compilation albums are always difficult to review because you have several artists providing singles to an album, which at times can conflict with each other in sound and style. On The Movement, Vol I, the guys at Good Fruit Co. have compiled 12 tracks that flow together nicely. Rather than just being a "turn up" album that we put on at Youth Group on Friday nights, this album delivers truth in several arenas. I'm looking forward to what the crew from Good Fruit has in store for us as they continue to grow in this latest chapter of their life. The Movement has started, and it will not easily be shut down.
Song to Download Now:
"Our Sound feat. Sam Ock" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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