THE FEENOM CIRCLE
Souled Separately (Melatone Music)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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It's been a good year for those of us who like intelligent hip-hop. By that I mean hip-hop that doesn't use the words "nigger," "bitch" and "ho" as rhythm filler or quick rhymes to cover for lack of ideas. Add The Feenom Circle to the still too short list of crews creating stimulating, socially conscious hip-hop, but note that their stuff is accessible to a larger audience because they don't break philosophies down to political nuts and bolts. Instead, they seem to process everyday situations, trying to make sense of things rather than lashing out at everything and everyone. With a cool verbal delivery and a dreamy, jazz-inflected soundstage, The Feenom Circle's messages get through easily. Creative stuff worth hearing. I mean there aren't many places you're going to hear the shaking and spraying of a paint can as a percussion instrument, y'know? That's the coolest thing since Pete Miser's toothbrushing rhythm.

© 2003 - DJ Johnson