Mr. Low - One Man's Vision

Mr. Low - One Man's Vision

Cedric Jackson, better known as Low-Down or Mr. Low, is an artist from the upsetting streets of Opelousas, LA. He first appeared on the scene in the year 1997 with his debut album, "Tales Of Da South." One Man's Vision is his second album and it was released in 2001 on Elusion Records. Bulk of the production duties are mainly handled by Bird or Rick Colomb, while Noke D, Sal, Mixso and Gamebinno' are all credited for a few tracks of their own. The beats are from the new millennium so the listener pretty much knows what to expect. They are not dull in any way, shape, or form and neither are they groundbreaking in any facet. It's an average batch of rhythms with a select few standouts here and there. Most of them are thumping with solid bass lines and a hard hitting set of drums. This strict structure and methodical approach happens to sustain the listener with at least the necessary amounts of entertainment needed to enjoy the album. Lyrically, Mr. Low fairs well upon the microphone. Although he does seem to have lost a step or two since his last outing, his Southern tone and dialect are still the same. And while the fundamentals of key song writing elements are there, it is the choruses and hooks that need some work. Not enough attention is given to them on most tracks and that is where the core content really suffers. Other than that, there are no major blemishes and the artist does have a solid rhyme scheme in place with decent amounts of verbal wit. Guest appearances are made by Lil' Keke, Profound, Ltd., II Deep Down South, WildCat, Miss CoCo, Grey and Toné. Overall it's a stable release that rounds out with a total of fourteen tracks. Aside from a few minor shortcomings, the album eventually does pick up and finishes on the right foot. Also, there is really no type of comparison to be made between his debut release and this one. The two are miles apart from each other in terms of quality, sound and temperament. Now, that may not be a bad thing in most cases but it just goes to show that sometimes changing one's artistry to evolve with the times is not always the brightest idea. In the long run, it is simply better to hold on to your unique individuality and strong intellect to leave an everlasting impression on the listener.

Deadly Verses

Nothing Like Da Game ft. Lil' Keke

Profound, Ltd. - Possession With Intent To Distribute

Profound, Ltd. - Possession With Intent To Distribute
Profound, Ltd. are a duo from Houston, TX. It consists of Groove and Banoe. Possession With Intent To Distribute is their debut album and it was released in 2000 on Red Boy Records. Production on the record is done by DJ Dolby D, Damon Spencer, Game-Be-No and Ulta E. The beats fuse elements of that classic southern funk with new wave melodies. That approach is firmly effective so the rhythms end up being thoroughly captivating. The tracks also happen to include decent amounts of chopping and scratching which are all courtesy of DJ Dolby D. The lyrics carry a sturdy vibe all throughout. Both members yield distinct styles and have the ability to spit. Groove delivers his fair share with a deeper tone and dialect while Banoe conveys with word play and content schemes. Their rhymes substantially vary just as well as their subject matter. The album starts off a bit on the club savvy side but quickly takes a turn towards a much more serious direction. Guest appearances are made by Pimp C of UGK, Lil' Keke of the Screwed Up Click, Legal Substanz, Low Down, A-Wall, Dolby D, Showtyme, I.B.G. and Red Boy. Overall the album contains good quality material and it is unblemished inside and out. It is one of the many gems that get released nationally but go unnoticed entirely. The duo had plans for a follow up album but that idea was later dropped mainly due to the mediocre attention and the lack of notoriety the group received.

Deadly Verses
Remember ft. I.B.G., Legal Substanz, & Dolby D