OHMEGA WATTS

'Watts Happening'

Overdue review, but I didn't want this absolutely tasty album go by the wayside. I practically street-teamed everybody I knew a few years back w/ the release of his first solo joint, 'The Find', and it looks like the sophomore effort is having the same effect. While the kids were too busy worrying about how many albums Ye and Fitty were going to move, Ubiquity Records and my man Watts slid another modern take on CLASSIC hip-hop into the mix, under the radar.

While the rhymes on 'Watts Happening' are the same throwback backpacker fare as last go around (social issues, relationships, loving hip hop, etc.), the intelligence, consciousness and positivity comes through like a breath of fresh air in a stale room full of mainstream rap...and it's sure as hell a lot more fun. Arguably, Watts strong point has never been as an MC, but he does seem to be an increased confidence in his delivery and flow on this one.

Rhymes aside, this album truly comes alive in it's production and composition. The man can just make absolute magic behind the boards, turntables and synths. The beats are so funky, so FAT...known side-effects of listening to this album are toe-tapping and head-bobbing. The musical explorations into funk, neo-soul and even bossanova that are layered on top, while keeping things funky, keep each track fresh and interesting to listen to.

While I love DJ's like Cut Chemist and Shadow, this is not turntablism for turntablism's sake...samples or scratching are never the focus, they only come in to accentuate the full composition of the song. This isn't a just a DJ or a rap album, it's hip-hop as God intended it to be...fun, funky and informative.

Enjoy some of the good stuff in the sample area and if you really dig the musicality/production, seek out the physical album w/ the bonus disc of all the instrumental tracks at your favorite record shop. PEACE!