[switch to browse mode]
| |
| Release: | Higher definition |
|  | | MyHHHdb | |
| Media: | [Audio CD] | | Released: | 2004 [ Listen to HHH from this era on Spotify ] |
| Recordlabel: | CMR |
| Info: | The crew: The Ambassador, Phanatik, Tonic and Tru-Life.
1. Civilian affairs
2. Redefined
3. It's time
4. Hey Y'all
5. Lord you are
6. Hip-hop-cracy
6. Card shark
7. Questions
8. On in here
9. Jerseys & fitteds
10. Big words
11. Epiphany
12. Check for us
13. We
14. My life cypha
15. The bridge (bonus track)
16. Life, camera, action (bonus track) |
| Rating: | Our users rated this release: 5.3 out of 10
(Number of votes: 9) Sign up or login to submit your vote |
|
Add a review
| | Review: | With some hip hop albums, it's like a tug-of-war between
the beats and the lyrics. Sometimes the beats are the best
part, and sometimes the lyrics are really what stand out.
CD For The Cross Movement's 5th album, Higher Definition,
this statement doesn't hold any truth at all. Both the
beats and lyrics reign supreme in this 17-track (inclusive
of 2 hidden) gem, that features a crew of producers.
The 2003 Dove Award Nominees for Best Rap Album of The Year
boldly announce their re-emergence into the lyricists'
lounge with "Civilian Affairs", a military-inspired cut
complete with background vocals calling cadence. Production
from JR of So Hot Productions takes a slightly military
tone, without overdoing it.
"Redefined" addresses the various issues and facades
intertwined in the fabric of urban culture, from the
illusions found in magazines to the emptiness in some
content in lyrics.
Rock Soul Entertainment vocalist Michelle Bonilla joins
these holy hip hop elders on "Lord You Are" an
easy-listening, synth-string heavy cut. Each member takes
turns in expressing their marvel at the works and love of
GOD.
Perhaps the most creative concept on this album that is
jam-packed with quality concepts is "Card Shark". Phanatik
aka Brady Goodwin brings the famous newyorkian story-telling
approach to rap. Creating the feel of a "card dealer" on
the street, Goodwin cleverly tackles the various characters
to beware of, such as the Queen of Clubs, the King The Cross
Movementof Diamonds and the Jack of Spades. As Phanatik
weaves a cleverly intricate tale surrounding the personality
traits of each "face-card", he ties each to a lesson about
the superficial facades behind some of the images people
portray.
Tru-Life has a knack for production and it becomes blatantly
clear with is production on "We". He juxtaposes the light
vibe from strings with a grittier head-nodding beat. This is
definitely an anthem for all.
"On In Here" is hot party track, with a snazzy,
multi-rhythm, loopy beat courtesy Official. On "Big
Words", the crew has plenty fun with their lyricism, doling
out multi-syllable rhymes, packed with near-obscure words.
Forced rhymes (using alternate accents) and other concepts
make this track sheer genius.
"My Life Cypha" features guest appearances from fellow
microphone ministers, Timothy Brindle, Shai Linne and
Redeemed Thought. Making use of a simple, jazz-influencedThe
Cross Movement piano scale, the song is injected with
instrumental soul that some hip hop fans may have been
craving for from music in general.
Higher Definition is said to be THE most anticipated album
from The Cross Movement to-date, and with clever wordplay
and quality production, The Cross Movement does not
disappoint. (And oh, those two bonus cuts!!)
This second installation to the "2004 release trilogy"
(which includes The Cross Movement's Higher Definition,
Flame's self-titled debut and the highly original The Cross
Movement And Friends' hip hop Christmas album Gift Rap)
from Cross Movement Records, is a must-have for all holy hip
hop heads. | | source: GospelFlava.com, added: Jul 11, 2006 |  |
| Review: | Gets an average vote out of me. It was so not up to par with
"Holy Culture". After Holy Culture which was hot, I
expected a bit more out of them this time and I just don't
see it. Track 3 is good, but there are just problems with
most of the rest of it. Still my favorite Christian rap
group along with Grits of course.
******* of 10
christianguitar.org | | source: goldenchild, added: Jul 11, 2006 | |
| Review: | After spurning a string of such hits as "House of
Representatives," "Know Me(Huh, What?)," and "When I
Flow..(It's Gospel)," the power hip-hop quartet known as
Cross Movement return once again for their fifth full-length
studio project, Higher Definition. Like on their previous
record, Holy Culture, CM returns to their format of
assigning most of the songs to one specific lyricist
throughout the project. Each track is filled with plenty of
phat beats and tight lyrics to make this album a worthwile
listen.
Higher Definition kicks off with the track "Civilian
Affairs," a club-worthy song about spiritual warfare. Next
up is the groove-laced "Redefined," which The Fanatik
describes as a 'Tale of Two Cities,' and touches on the
issues of the wrong type of love and sex in the media. This
song basically tells the listener to redefine one's ways
and keep their eyes focused on the Light of God. One of my
personal favorites is the beat-bouncer "It's Time," where
Tru-Life utters the words "Father, forgive me, I'm a
sinner and I need you at the center of my heart because
that's where it all starts." "Lord You Are" is all about
giving God praise for all He has done for one's life.
Possibly the biggest highlights of the album are the
percussion-driven "Hip-Hop-Cracy" (which includes a 'back
in the lab again' sample from "When I Flow...It's
Gospel") and the first of two bonus tracks "The Bridge,"
where all 4 emcees pay homage to pioneering rapper MC Shan
with an updated version of the song he first made popular
along with original verses.
The majority of the songs covered on this project
address the issues of teenage love, worldly deception,
warfare, and other problems facing today's generation while
consistently offering a message of hope in Jesus Christ. A
typical Cross Movement album of course would not be complete
without the usual 'freestyle' in the form of a song with
the title "Cypha," which is executed well with "My Life
Cypha," a lyrical composition of a man's life without God
to guide him. Exhibiting several high points with virtually
no flaws, "Higher Definition" is one of the most
anticipated hip-hop projects of 2004. For those who have
been hip-hop fans for a long time, or are just now being
exposed to it, don't hesitate to pass up this album from
the Cross Movement - possibly one of the most innovative
hip-hop groups in the past 10 years.
- Review date: 2/11/05, written by Paul Portell
****1/2 of 5 | | source: Jesusfreakhideout.com, added: Jul 11, 2006 | |
|
