Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The Memphis-based rapper recorded a well received album 'Soul Food' under the name Conviction. But that came out in 2008 and since then Cross Rhythms hadn't heard of him until a month or so ago when Chad released a single, "My Melody # Keep Up". Now here he is with a pretty impressive EP. Didn't really care for the opener "Problem" despite it featuring two considerable talents in Propaganda and Canon. I just thought that the word "problem" endlessly repeated in a heap of digital delay wasn't much of a hook. Much better was "I Know" with a sung refrain from Foure ("I know, yes I know, that the Lord is good/Somebody out there is looking out for me") with some rapid-tongued dirty south flow from Chad. Also strong is "Long Walk Home" with a sung hook from Jayne Pearl. That was co-produced by the mighty Derek Minor who also guests on the final cut "Hold Up" where a wheezingly soulful Roz sings "I've been trying to do something right/But everybody's trying to start a fight"). Yep, a solid return to the holy hip-hop scene. Here's hoping a full length album by Chad is on the way soon.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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