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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
The Moment of Truth begins with MC Keith Elam, aka The Guru, outlining the philosophy that has turned Gang Starr into one of hip-hop's most enduring, successful and respected partnerships: "What we do is update our formulas... the rhyme style is elevated, the style of beats is elevated, but it's still Guru and Premier." This "formula"--Guru's smooth delivery of intelligent lyrics over DJ Premier's addictively catchy loops and scratching--has produced innumerable classics and doesn't disappoint on this, their fifth album. The superb opener "You Know My Steez" (sampling Method Man's coarse titular quote), prepares the listener for an album of varied and typically irresistible crowd-pleasers, from the upbeat piano of "Work", to the startlingly simple bassline of "The Rep Grows Bigga" and the aggressive menace of "The Militia" (featuring Freddy Foxx and Big Shug). We even get a brief foray into Wu-Tang territory, with the staccato oriental flavour of "Above the Clouds" (featuring Inspectah Deck), and on the title track hear Guru in a more reflective mood, rapping over a maudlin, heartfelt orchestra. If there is a criticism, it's that adhering to the formula prohibits any surprises. There's really no such thing as a bad Gang Starr track: they are reliably brilliant; but by the same token they rarely deviate from their template and produce something adventurous. When they keep producing albums as good as this, though, it seems churlish to complain. --Paul Philpott
Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
What can I say about Gangstarr? Nothing that probably hasn't been said before. There are very few albums that you can put on at track 1 and just let it role all the way to the end (Illmatic, Midnight Marauders and Muddy Waters springs to mind) To say Premier creates beats would be an injustice. You could say this for the majority of producers, but this man crafts his beats. From the excellent samples, to the now legendary cuts, and the dope mixing. Most producers sample George Clinton, Barry White or James Brown, put some wack drums over it and assume it's dope. Not so. You then have the GURU himself, with his self-acknowledged monotone style, kicking street knowledge like only he does. I aint even gonna go into highlights of the album, but I have to mention 'the Militia' featuring Freddie Foxxx and Big Shug, which is, was and always will be my anthem. God bless Gangstarr.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By "keith-bate"
Format:Audio CD
Trying to find one word to sum up this album is almost impossible, the best i can do is "Outstanding". The beats and rhymes are absolutly second to none. The untouchable dj-ing skills of Premier and the laid back flow of story telling lyrics form Guru make it a joy to listen to. The Rep Gets Bigger is a personal favourite with a thumping piano beat that you can't help but bob your head to whether you're in a packed club or sat on the sofa at home. Tracks like She Knows What She Wants and Next Time coupled with collaborations with the likes of M.O.P make this album a must have for all hip hop fans.
If your going to do anything today - BUY THIS ALBUM - you certainly won't regret it
If your going to do anything today - BUY THIS ALBUM - you certainly won't regret it
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
I bought this off the strength of the Full Clip retrospective. Even though about 5 of the tracks are duplicated on Moment of Truth, this is a far better album. The production is impressively slick all the way through, the beats and tunes just beg to be heard over and over. Top that with the Guru's chilled out rhyme style and it all comes together perfectly. Guru talks with confidence and sincerity and shows his talent as a beat maker on a couple of tracks ('She Knows What She Wants' flows smoothly and effortlessly from beginning to end). Primo expertly delivers for the rest making some of the tracks instantly memorable classics. Along with this there are well selected collaborators (Big Shugg, MOP and Wu's Inspectah Deck) which produces a varied but overall chilled record. Check out 'Up in the clouds', 'In memory of...' and 'The Malitia'. I'm definitely gonna get the rest of the back catalogue.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By F. Weinberg
Format:Audio CD
With 4 albums already in the bag, you'd think Gang Starr wouldn't have much more to offer. I certainly did. Not only that, but it had been 4 years since their last album. (Hard to Earn) Hip hop had changed. Could Gang Starr keep up?
The album of course defies all expectations. From the very first track: "You know my Steez" you realise that Guru and Premier have stepped it up a notch. Guru's rhymes and flow have been improved considerably. I'm a big fan of Guru normally, but he's just at the top of his game on this album in terms of both rapping and lyrics. The lyrics on the title track have got to be some of the best lyrics I've ever heard. And of course, what more can be said about Premier? His production on this album is nothing short of epic. With banging tunes like "Work" and "The Militia," to more mellow tunes like "JFK 2 LAX" and "Betrayal," to tunes like "Royalty" and "Moment of Truth" that can only be described as cinematic, the man is on the top of his game. And yet, this isn't typical Gang Starr. There are less of Premier's customary scatched vocal samples, and there are quite a few guest stars; some good, some not so good. But Guru himself said it in the opening track though: "The rhyme style is elevated, the style of beats is elevated... but it's still Guru and Premier." There are a few changes thrown in here and there, but it's still what fans are looking for. My only criticism may be the length of the album - at 78 minutes, it's quite a haul, and as expected there is some filler. I felt that towards the end of the album it starts to lose focus, but there are no bad tracks as such, and the guest stars (particularly Scarface) keep things interesting.... Read more ›
The album of course defies all expectations. From the very first track: "You know my Steez" you realise that Guru and Premier have stepped it up a notch. Guru's rhymes and flow have been improved considerably. I'm a big fan of Guru normally, but he's just at the top of his game on this album in terms of both rapping and lyrics. The lyrics on the title track have got to be some of the best lyrics I've ever heard. And of course, what more can be said about Premier? His production on this album is nothing short of epic. With banging tunes like "Work" and "The Militia," to more mellow tunes like "JFK 2 LAX" and "Betrayal," to tunes like "Royalty" and "Moment of Truth" that can only be described as cinematic, the man is on the top of his game. And yet, this isn't typical Gang Starr. There are less of Premier's customary scatched vocal samples, and there are quite a few guest stars; some good, some not so good. But Guru himself said it in the opening track though: "The rhyme style is elevated, the style of beats is elevated... but it's still Guru and Premier." There are a few changes thrown in here and there, but it's still what fans are looking for. My only criticism may be the length of the album - at 78 minutes, it's quite a haul, and as expected there is some filler. I felt that towards the end of the album it starts to lose focus, but there are no bad tracks as such, and the guest stars (particularly Scarface) keep things interesting.... Read more ›
By CK
Format:Audio CD
Quite a good CD. Worth the amount I paid for it, definately. A special mention for the actual song 'Moment of Truth'... wow it's amazing!
By Moneybags
Format:Audio CD
Not as good (in my opinion) as step in the arena or daily operation but still worth a listen, put in your ipod and sit back and chill.
Format:Vinyl
Having heard Gangstarr I feel in love with the smooth vocals from Guru and the distinctive beats from premier. They're contenders for best Rap duo and this and this by far there best work. Stand out tunes Millitia and betrayal with appearances from Freddie fox and Scarface are simply the best of an amazing album. If you have any interest in hiphop buy this now it's a classic.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
this has to be in your cd collection, the premier beats and producing are some of the best ive heard, guru's rhyme style is up there with the best in the business, there are tracks that you really have to listen to listen to over and over again. the only thing stopping this from 5 stars is the fact that sometimes the beats on different tracks can sound a bit similar. that said any true hip hop fan will love this
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