Access Sez So: Formula Abstract Presents … Universal Soundscapes
Once again back is the incredible. For this installment of Access Sez So, Wes comes through with a track-by-track review of the latest from Formula Abstract.
I think it’s been over a year since Trust One told me he was putting this compilation together and I’m really glad it’s finally here. I’ve been anticipating not only some unreleased Formula Abstract (Trust One and the late Moderfire) tracks but some hardcore San Diego shit in general. Lately my posts have been about catching up with some of my favorites from 2010, so I’m happy I’ve got something new to share for a change. Of course, that could still be debated since many of these tracks have been completed for quite some time before awaiting the official release of Universal Soundscapes [ed. note: you can purchase Universal Soundscapes here]. Here’s a track for track breakdown, so bare with me and enjoy.
1. “Always” ft. Dr. Zarkov, Orko Eloheim, Trust One [prod. Trust One]
From the get go, selection and order of each track as they appear on the compilition is key. The opener “Always” sets the tone as the official third member of Formula Abstract, Dr. Zarkov, spits battle rhymes that avoid being overly aggressive, as the beat doesn’t call for it. The song itself reminds us that even though Moderfire is gone, he is not forgotten, as Orko makes a dedication to Miguel in his verse.
2. “We San See You” ft. Dr. Zarkov, 1019, Golden Gages, Trust One, Mike Tappen [prod. Andy Bandy]
3. “Every Groove In A Record” ft. Mike Tappen, Trust One, Sighphur One [prod. Trust One]
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Again as I mentioned the very nature of this selection of tracks showcases each emcee’s propensity for battle style rhymes, which to me denotes significant talent on the mic to outsiders looking in on San Diego’s hip hop scene. By track two and three things really pick up, with the bass-y/synth-y uptempo beat by French producer Andy Bandy is quickly ripped over by Trust, Zarkov, 1019 aka The Numberman, and Golden Gages of Circle Empire in just around three minutes. “Every Groove In A Record” is one of the absolute highlights of the release, with Trust, regular guest collaborator Mike Tappen, and old school SD battle rapper Sigphur One calling out amateur rappers that seem to flood the internet and local scenes these days. Trust One’s beat perfectly captures a 90′s boom-bap feel with a bassline that could have come from a Golden Era classic!
4. “Artificial Enhancement” ft. Moderfire, Trust One [prod. Orko Eloheim]
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Immediately following is the Orko produced “Artificial Enhancement,” another highlight and a beat that’s hard as hell! The chip-tune (that’s a new term for video game type beats that I just heard and thought I’d fill you in on) sounds more like it was made from a malfunctioning Simon (obligitory 80′s reference), while both Moderfire and Trust spit rapidfire lyrics in effective bursts rather than singular long-winded takes. This long lost track pretty much shows why they are as “abstract” as their group name suggests.
5. “Feel The Electricity” ft. 1019, Irie, Trust One [prod. Trust One]
6. “Humankind Comatose” ft. Orko Eloheim, Golden Gages, Trust One [prod. Psychodrama07]
“Feel The Electricity” slows things down, with Trust, 1019, and a dope female emcee I hadn’t heard of named Irie over a beat that kind of grew on me with some trippy sounds in the background. “Humankind Comatose” by Greek producer Psychodrama07 features a heavy beat with a Mediteranean acoustic guitar sample while the trio of Trust, Orko, and Golden Gages fill in the blanks.
7. “Zombies” ft. Moderfire, Trust One [prod. Mister Modo, Ugly Mac Beer]
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Another favorite on the release, “Zombies” comes from French DJ’s/producers Mister Modo and Ugly Mac Beer, a track Moderfire and Trust were really excited about after they recorded it as I remember a few years back when they told me at Access that it was going to happen. This was fresh after Modo and Mac Beer’s Mo Dougly Weird Styles album, a sleeper hit in 2007 that featured Monsta Island Czars, Mike Ladd and Third Sight. The track did appear on the French duo’s second album Remidomost, but that did not get a US release. The producers’ obsession with “B” horror movies and grindhouse is amusing and fun. The beat here had a very corny 80′s feel but works perfectly as Trust and Mode spin a horror story I imagined aimed at zombie b-boys, sounding like a theme that could accompany one of the better John Carpenter scores.
8. “Interlude”
9. “Demented Realities” ft. Mash 23, Dr. Zarkov, Rinasanz, Trust One, El Tenso, Beehive [prod. Mister Modo, Ugly Mac Beer]
10. “Quiet Is Kept” ft. Scribe Sayar, Trust One, Rinasanz, Sighphur One [prod. Lucid]
11. “Space Aliens” ft. Dr. Zarkov, Trust One [prod. Trust One]
After a nice headnoddy, downtempo instrumental, the next three tracks kind of slow things down again, but doesn’t wear it down as all the emcees deliver above average verses. Again this is also where track placement might have suffered, but “Demented Realities” is another Mister Modo and Mac Beer beat grounded in a traditional hip hop style and incorporating Beehive beatboxing near the end. “Quiet Is Kept” features a simpler and slightly tiring beat but is elevated once again here by the emcees and notably a return from Scribe Sayar, who has been MIA for quite some time if I recall. And while there’s nothing really wrong with “Space Aliens” except the title maybe, I do feel while it has it’s moments, Trust’s beat here could have been harder for both his and Zarkov’s verses. But again, these are older recordings that come from all kinds of recording conditions compiled from over the years that needed to find a home before disappearing in the vaults.
12. “Rest In Peace Moderfire One” ft. Mash23, Trust One, Dr. Zarkov, Rinasanz, Sighphur One, Decimal [prod. Mister Modo, Ugly Mac Beer]
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No words are needed here other than to say that the “Rest In Peace” tribute to Moderfire was deeply personal for each contributing emcee, heartfelt and tastefully done by and for friends. The great thing here is that it works as a standalone track, the beat (once more by Modo and Mac Beer) is crisp, the verses are quick and intact, and hopefully respect, even if unbeknownst to the listener, is achieved.
13. Bonus Track: “Surpressive Digestion” ft. Rasp, Santo Vontez, Edgr Isreal, Trust One, Tenshun [prod. Edgr Isreal]
“Supressive Digestion” finishes off the album nicely and features Tenshun on cuts. Listed as a bonus track, it is also somewhat of a pre-cursor to Trust One and Edgr Isreal’s upcoming collaboration project Sacred Geometry, which will feature a lot of underground San Diego emcee’s.
All in all, Universal Soundscapes is a great representation of San Diego hip hop, displaying not only this city’s penchant for the craft, but the varying styles many of our artists are capable of and the recognition they have earned through contacts over seas that recognize our humble scene. My hope is that San Diego will no longer remain a best kept secret, and instead a city that should be taken seriously for it’s hip hop.
-Wes
Reading be fun though:
