Archaeological explorations into the history of this hip-hop trio
The intro is a pitch selling you a product, making sure to name-check scienzoflife.com, telling you who they are, from 1993 to 2003, they've been going forever. It's that pointer on a map that says: You Are Here. The album is certainly a promo, never missing a free minute to plug itself, but this aside, Scienz of Life are a three-man hip-hop outfit who deliver here a fresh assembly of material stretching from their early days with their discoverer Bobbito to now.
It comes complete with a bonus DVD full of rare footage from studio and stage alike. Overground is the first track proper here, and the finest, it's a track to make you think and sway from side to side while listening. The lyrics are thought provoking as the trio has aimed from the outset to bring more integrity to the bling. This is hip-hop that consciously goes further than most in its delivery of conscientious lyrics that concentrate on more than guns and girls, and tries to rear the genre in a more artistic direction.
Interspersed are some really strong tracks like It's Alright which features K Banger and U-George, with its bendy musicality and coolness streaming, this one will get your head nodding. These tracks present a sound is unusual, often slow well considered, it lacks sometimes spontaneity and a hard-hitting edge.
The ad-libbing on 11, SOL live @ WKCR 89.9 NYC featuring Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito, is quite amusing, their introductions then a short conversation about pasta leads into a live rap, although very minimal, with a repeating, thin backing track, this song still sounds good, the band, one imagines, could be quite a spectacle live as they display a distinguished audacity here. That is backed up from what is to be found on the accompanying DVD.
On this album, the 9 Ether flows on through the speakers, but it doesn't always keep the attention of the listener. There's definite talent and it's a welcome break from the usual brash, shouty rubbish that perpetually pollutes the charts, but it's probably not something you could visit again and again.
However, from what's on offer here, in terms of live material, it's certainly deducible that a Scienz of Life show would be worth a visit and maybe a revisit. This dig has uncovered some fair gems from the archives, the anthemic The Anthem and Metaphysics are good examples of this band's good music, a worthy purchase for those in the mood for subdued, easy hip-hop, may be a little too lacking for the rest who want a more energetic musical experience.