Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Disconnected Clique - I Know!

Disconnected Clique - I Know!
Disconnected Clique is a group that represents from the hard streets of Houston, TX. Now as a collective they rep Houston but three of the seven members were recruited from Port Arthur, TX. The group consists of Ace Of Spadz, LaDeris, J' Down, E.J., D-Nick, Li. C and last but not least, the female emcee known as Tryll. I Know! is their debut album and it was released in 2000 on Monumental Records. The bulk of the banging production is provided by Mike Newton and D-Nick while members like Ace Of Spadz, E.J. and LaDeris help out on some tracks. The beats are genuinely smooth and all instruments are used to their legitimate apex. The end result gives off a very fresh vibe and while samples are used, they are by no means the main source of melody. Although this release came at a time when the "Swang & Bang" sound was really emerging, it does not incorporate any of it's elements in it. Instead the production pattern used is of the previous generation which relies heavily on musical melody and a sense of rhythm. Not to downplay or bad mouth the "Swang & Bang" sound but this type of southern production is now literally considered to be a lost art. Lyrically the album is also very well rounded. Each member brings a unique style to the table and are always ready when called upon the microphone. Their rhymes are filled with word play and are also delivered at a decent pace. Group members LaDeris and Ace really stand out from the rest while the others are not too far behind. The guest feature on here is by Kevin Braggs, who basically provides all the singing and back up vocals. An ample total of fifteen choice tracks are provided for the listener which in return make this release thoroughly enjoyable. Also, the picture on the front album cover was taken at the Gerald D. Hines Water Wall Park in the Uptown District of Houston, Texas. Overall this was a commendable effort by the group and one that also takes full advantage of the amenities provided. Coming into the industry with no prior accomplishments is not easy by no means. The group faced many challenges while putting this record together and not only did they overcome them but they also managed to leave an imprint by compiling a solid package. One that happens to shine from all angles and one that also withstands the lengthy test of time.

Deadly Verses

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