| Grits - Reiterate | 
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STYLE: Hip-Hop
RATING  
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 48644-14877
LABEL: Revolution Art 669447001027
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2008-10-08
RRP: £4.99
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Reviewed by Steve Hayes With their first salvo at the mainstream veterans Grits produce a well polished and highly produced album with an outstanding mix of styles and flavas. Right from the off with "Sky May Fall" we have a cracking track with a pop-edged R&B number, with beautiful vocal hooks and positive message. There are a number of well-positioned guest appearances. In the arpeggiated synth-based "Fly Away", Grits give props to their mom, talk about their journey towards God, "Man, God got his hand on your life, so he gave you a gift and the mic." There is a unique sound in "Dusk To Dawn", using a mix of reversed kick drum and vocal effects. The album nicely uses the vocoded "Cher-effect" style on some vocals, such as in the very smooth and rolling "I Run". In "Beautiful Morning" we have a powerful guest performance from the inimitable Pigeon John. With two such talented artists and smooth lyricists in Coffee and Bonafide, "Walking My Way" is a romantic, downtempo mellow crunk roller with some nice lyricism, as is the soulful, soul-filled throwback, fiddle-infused "Something About It". "Reminds Me" is a banging club track with a dance, synthy pop-edge which demonstrates the agility of Grits in delivery and creativity. We do have some classic Grits stuff though, the banging "Get Started" is a winner, with its bouncing crunk-edge.
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| | Product Description |
Grits is a tandem of Teron ‘Bonafide’ Carter and Stacy ‘Coffee’ Jones who have recorded eight albums previously over a decade.
With faith, art and people as their pillars, Grits set out to record 'Reiterate', the boldest representation of their craft to date. The title may lead some to believe that these street poets are repeating themselves - rehashing ideas that may have been heard before. But not so fast! “What we’re reiterating is almost like, instead of going back and trying to relay a foundation, we’re continuing on what we’ve already laid out ten years ago,” Bone says. “We want you to go into the music thinking that. If you don’t, you’re going to miss it. It might mess you up.”
That’s putting it mildly. As the song 'Remind Me Of You' attests, Reiterate takes every preconception you may have had about Grits and turns it on its head. The song is an audacious primer for the rest of the album, as the frenetic, buzzed-out track incorporates backbeats and synth elements reminiscent of the glory days of the ‘80s. It’s a celebration of sound, juxtaposed by a sombre lyric.
Bone explains, “subjectively it’s a very heavy song, but the way it’s presented, people will connect with it.”
The album includes guest appearances by Mac Powell of Third Day, 90s pop artist CeCe Penistone and Martha Munizzi. |
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