For their first full-length album as The Ritz, Apoc and Rel showcase their ability to explore a diverse array of styles while still creating a cohesive and affecting hip hop record. Exploring the possibilities of a concept album but not going the whole nine yards so not to confuse their audience, Apoc, having shown age and weathered with wisdom on exhaustive travels for shows across the country, and Rel pulling out all the stops with incredible range and production inspiration, this album goes from 1940’s gangster to 1990’s gangsta at the flip of a coin. Spitting fast raps over soulful tracks or long storytelling-style lyrics against darker samples. The Chi-town natives prove that once more coming from Chicago, a city of that boasts “no-coasts” is a breeding ground for new and exciting talent. If you picked up Apoc’s Shipwrecked Salesman or Gods and Ghosts you won’t be disappointed. Featuring guest appearances by Racecar of Modill, Psalm One and DJ Onceamonth on cuts and scratches! I’ve said this before but fans of Aesop Rock will dig this, Apoc’s voice and flow is sometimes uncanny but reminds me of just how good he is regardless of the similarity.

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What has always set The GZA apart from the ordinary is his ability to create complex images with simple context. In the same way it’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words, Genius assembles his words to create thousands of vivid pictures. “I don’t like to just be simple,” he explains. “Even though some of my stuff can seem simple at times, I like to write in a way that when you listen to it over and over again, you hear something new and it requires you to think.” Legend Of The Liquid Sword does just that. Whether the listener gets captured by the vocal acrobatics of Santi White (who has written songs for Res) on GZA’s Stay In Line or the authentic old school soul production on the masterpiece Animal Planet, Genius weaves satisfying brain food through his lyrics. In his phenomenally cerebral use of metaphors, The Genius flawlessly equates human city dwellers to animals in the jungle on Animal Planet, which was produced by rhythm doctor Bink (who has produced heavyweight joints for Fat Joe, Nate Dogg, Mr. Cheeks and Faith Evans). With beats by fellow Wu Tang brother RZA, Jaz-O (Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt album), DJ Muggs (who has produced for Cypress Hill, Mobb Deep), Wu producer Mathematics (Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Sunz of Man), Arabian Knight and other sonic masterminds, GZA’s talents come across even heavier. On the adrenaline raising Hip Hop call to arms, Knock, Knock (the album’s shining debut single), The GZA asks on the chorus, “knock, knock, who the f*** is banging at my door, is it abstract, commercial or hardcore?” In his signature way of ill rhyme construction, GZA further defines the parameters of what rap music should be.

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Sources say after listening to Chicago hip hop duo Apoc and Rel’s newest album The Night of Day, actor Joaquin Phoenix became so obsessed with Apoc’s lyrics he began reciting them day and night.   As the weeks progressed the actor began believing he was Apoc  himself.  Although Apoc  has been known to be seen frequenting local bars and pinball machines in the Los Angeles area he is not at the moment any where near Southern California.  If you do see this man consider him armed and dangerous.  Call the proper authorites immediatley as the police are on the search around the clock for this deeply troubled individual.

-Moodswangz