Reviewed by Steve Hayes

On playing this album, the identity of the artist quickly became apparent from a range of distinctive and classic projects in my collection. Ozay Moore was previously known as Othello and part of the Lightheaded Collective. 'In The Wake Of O' takes us through a number of themes but in essence it's a look at the move from Othello to Ozay Moore and the reality of being a family man and putting them first rather than being a career-driven rapper. Leading us off is "Thumb Drive" in which Ozay lays down this journey through delectable jazzy finesse and flowing storytelling - Talib Kweli stand aside! This carries on into the equally jazz-laden "Good" where Ozay expresses his satisfaction with life. This is a project full of outstanding production as well as guest emcees like Lightheaded, Propaganda, Sareem Poems and others. Without exception the guests enhance the album, fuelling the beautifully old school, sometimes boom bap, sometimes contemporary feel, all with soulful soliloquies. Ozay Moore manages to seamlessly blend both a classic feel to the album as well as ever-creative production. We see this from the boom bap to the West Coast "WSTCST" to the slightly underground feel of "Wow." to "Transparent See" with the emcee reflecting Ozay Moore's love and passion. This is a piece of finely crafted workmanship which could have been subtitled 'A Master Wordsmith At Work'.

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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