The Harvest Music Cd

Qwel - The Harvest

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The Harvest      Artist : Qwel & Maker      List Price : $12.99 USD        Your Price : $12.99 USD      ProductGroup: Music      Release Date : 2004-08-01      Studio : Galapagos4      Label : Galapagos4      Avg. Customer Rating : (4 reviews)

Reviews Customer Reviews for The Harvest      Good for the Chicago Sound      Rating:      I bought this album after hearing Qwel on a mixtape and though he had an alright flow (the track was "face value"). This album showed that he really does have some amazing skills. If you have Eminem's underground stuff it sounds a lot like some of that (although the production on this is far superior). Qwel's flow is slightly off beat (like Aesop Rock or LoDeck) which makes it that much easier to get stuck in your head. His skills are most exemplified on 'Broken Wing.' Which demonstrate not just lyrical sensibilities but battle abilities. I've bought a lot of Chicago Hip Hop over the years because of family connections and have been fairly disappointed with a lot of it. However, it seems to be taking a serious turn for the better with a lot of great stuff coming out. Qwel's solo efforts are at the top of this new trend for quick lyrics and careful production. Alot of the 'quick' rappers do not take the time or effort to get production that fits their unique flows. However, Maker provides excellent beats which practically require the speed of Qwel. Production on this album is heads above most other albums. Generally, Qwel's efforts fall down a few places (I do not like 'Ugly, Hungry People'); but at other places the songs are great in every possible way. The album's overall feel could use some work and sometimes it doesn't seem to fit from one track to the next. However, the individual feel of each song overcomes this in every respect. Get this album for some excellent lyrics and some great production. Top 3 Songs: Ruby Ragdollenne, Broken Wing, the "it" in keeping "it" real.     Customer Reviews for The Harvest Cd      Chicago Rapper Celebrates a Dark Day      Rating:      Chicago-based MC Qwel first got local fame in the late 90's as a battle-rhymer, and later secured a position at a local college radio hip-hop show. Eventually signing to indie label Galapagos 4, "Dark Days" is his latest release, a collaboration with producer Jackson Jones. A rather apocalyptic-themed LP, "Dark Days" is somber and grave, and Qwel has no time for partying. As a lyricist, he obviously owes something to RZA, Ghostface Killah and Kool Keith, spitting street philosophy with a heavy dose of eccentricity. The title track finds Qwel going off against-something: "For all the neon and x-mas trees, disease and the Freon, the next best things, for all the kings and the peons and excess fiends, just better check what y'all be on, to expect these. You rubber ducks..." "Fallout" imagines a worldwide disaster from which no one is safe: "Watch out for falling rocks, call the cops, but all the locks in the world aren't gonna save you when the arms of Armageddon knock-knockin' at your front door, who came to warn you once more; the holy war's begun in case some of y'all were unsure.." Producer Jones creates dark, slow-tempo soundscapes, with touches of gothic & classical music that seems to fit Qwel well; however, Qwel slips up occasionally as he tends to rhyme out of sync with the beat, like he's trying to squeeze in every thought before the track runs out. Listeners with a low threshold for a nearly 50-minute dirge may find "Dark Days" a little hard to swallow- there are really no "club-bangers" here, and this is about as far from Lil Jon or Twista as one can get. But Qwel makes compelling `darkcore' hip-hop for those open-minded enough to appreciate a rapping Edgar Allan Poe. Artist: Qwel & Jackson Jones Title: Dark Day Label: Galapagos4 Editorial Reviews for The Harvest Audio Cd      Album Description      "But brothers would it kill us to change?" Harvest season is upon us, and as we all know, you reap what you sow. Our culture has made a mockery of itself. True art has been replaced by glamour and glitz (where's the gold?); money has taken precedent over blood, sweat and talent. You are being cheated. You are not being given the choice. You are only shown the plastic mold, the mass-produced robot that replaced the man. It's time for change. "Then we sell 'em fish a noun instead of teach 'em fish a verb" This album marks a return to a more up front rap style for Qwel, using Maker's soulful boom-bap productions as the guide. The point is delivered with precision, both sonically and lyrically. Qwel delves deep into wordplay while maintaining his narrative focus and breakneck delivery. Maker, a proficient producer, has upped the ante and created a lush and rich tapestry of beats, which range in style from in your face to subtle and serene. The plot has thickened; consider yourself warned. "Now?s the season, ain?t no reason for doubt, shit, If you ain't 'bout it 'bout it, you about to get drowned kid".