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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Y-Society: Travel At Your Own Pace Review (7.5/10), 11 Oct 2007
Y-Society consists of MC/Producer/DJ `Insight' and DJ/Producer `Damu the Fudgemunk'. Both are fast-approaching veteran status within the hip-hop scene due to asserted careers which has seen them release and produce acclaimed work over the last decade. With `Travel at Your Own Pace' (TAYOP) Insight furthers his lyrical tenacity over a multi-dimensional and broad range of musical styles which are provided courtesy of crate-digger and record-collector, Damu. Together, they create a 16 track slice of contemporary and edgy hip-hop which is deeply rooted in the raw abruptness of old-skool hip-hop whilst stylistically embracing a full range of sixties and seventies genres including soul, funk and Jazz.
From the outset it is evident that the duo creates synergy and play off each others talents. On the multi-layered Guru-esque pomp of `This is an Introduction', Insight flows rapidly with real conviction and soul. It sounds like he's having real fun flowing on the mellow beats and fitting samples provided by Damu. On cuts like `Dizzy', `In Command' and `At My Own Pace', Insight shifts to sixth gear and spits complexly constructed and meaningful sentences, swiftly. The lightening-speed lyrics sit surprisingly naturally over the smooth and melodious soul-funk backdrops provided by Damu. Damu obviously sources top quality material, (even the Skits rock), and as such, the album doesn't suffer from the languid Soul-Funk and elevator Jazz of others who attempt this style. In fact, they are strong enough to warrant an Instrumental release of this album. On `How Many of Us?' and `Peace I'm out the Door', Damu provides lush sonic-environment's of key-heavy jazz funk which is brought right up-to date with thumping skittering beats and needle rubs. The sound brings to mind Gil Scott Heron meets J-Live on an East Coast tip. As the album progresses there seems to be an increased layer of instrumentation resulting in a swinging sound with increased body. Tracks like `Setting The Example' consume the listener with its perfect fusion of Soul, Funk, R&B, Jazz and Hip-Hop.
Unless expertly done, Hip-hop and Jazz can make for strange bedfellows and the result manages to put-off fans of both genres. If however, the rapper is able to spit complexly and energetically with quick shifts in tempo and if the producer/DJ has the ability to source and slot-in expertly chosen records and fuse them with fresh urban motiff's, then you have a winner. `TAYOP' by Y-Society is amongst the few artists that occupy the latter, and as such, `TAYOP' is the intellectual's urban soundtrack to fall 2007.
For fans of: Guru Jazzmatazz series, Roots, Gangstarr, J-Live, Ty, Cyne, Gil-Scott Heron
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insight & Damu the Fudgemunk are Y Society, 26 Aug 2007
Y Society's Travel On Your Own Pace was a strong collection of Hip Hop poetry that only further asserts Insight as the quinessential rapper. The chemistry between Insight & Damu (the producer) can relate to any classic duo like Guru & DJ Premier, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and Blue Scholars because they can share their great talent and experience. The album has an old-skool vibe yet simultaneous incorporates futuristic sounds. It will certainly be established as one of the most unique albums of 2007.
The top tracks on this album include "Never Off", "Hole In Your Pocket", "Puzzles", "What's Next", "At My Own Pace" and "Never Off" which represent the trademarks of this passionate hip-hop group. Insight can spit crazy lyrics...that's just intuitively for him.
I highly recommend this album. Damu the Fudgemunk produced several hot tracks for Panacea and he carried on in this albums. This album is a must if you are collecting positive Hip Hop.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Freshest CD I own, 15 Mar 2009
This CD is a breath of fresh air amongst an industry full of ludicrous "gangsta" hip hop. The beats by DJ insight are unique and feature soul and jazz sampling, and Damu's intelligent meaningful lyrics make it well worth the money and time!
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