MF Grimm's American Hunger III, Volume 2

Well hey, here's a welcome surprise.  See, MF Grimm's American Hunger Rebirth Vol 2; Trials, Tribulations, Humiliation and Elevation is actually the third chapter in his series of American Hunger albums, following the original triple album in 2006, American Hunger Rebirth in 2017 and finally this one.  And it's like his fourteenth album overall, not even counting Monster Island.  It's surprising how deep this man's catalog is, especially when you consider that there was a life sentence mixed in there somewhere.  Anyway, this particular album was originally recorded and intended to be released in 2019; and I think there was maybe a brief digital version, or at least some of the songs were for sure sent out to the blogs and stuff individually at that time.  There was a limited 7" single ("Still My Love") and a very rare CD; it didn't even make discogs.  And it kind of looked like that was going to just fizzle out like that.  Grimm already moved on with album #15 in 2021; and this one would be a very deep cut for only the most hardcore fans.  But that's changing this summer, because the full LP is finally getting its proper, physical release on Vendetta Vinyl.

That said, part of the reason why it seemed like AHR2 might've been allowed to go overlooked at the time is because it wasn't exactly a whole new, original album.  These are remixes of tracks from the original American Hunger album.  So, to be clear, the "Still My Love" on here has the same vocals recorded in 2006 for the "Still My Love" on there, but with an entirely new instrumental.  This was also the case with 2017's American Hunger Rebirth, except that one was divided into three parts: one produced by Architect, one by Drasar Monumental, who also produced the Good Morning Vietnam EPs with Grimm, and one by DJ FDRZ.  Now, Vol 2 is entirely produced by Drasar.  Indeed, Vendetta Vinyl is his label.

This album takes "Fuck You," a tight track that was buried somewhere deep on disc 2, and turns it into a flag-planting opener.  Grimm starts out rapping about his credentials, which honestly he doesn't need to do anymore in 2024, but it's still a strong declaration: "MF Grimm Reaper, one of the best.  I battled DMX, spit with KRS.  Rocked with 2Pac, rolled with Death Row.  KMD, Kool G Rap, Freddie Foxxx know.  Lord Finesse, Tragedy, Nas, Large Pro, King Sun, deeper I could go."  You kinda forget just how diverse some of his experience has been, what with the ghost writing and the collaborations.  But yeah, even taking into account taking into account this was recorded in 2019, we didn't need to be sold on Grimm's bona fides.  In 2006?  Yeah, maybe we needed a little reminding back then.

Regardless, by the time he gets to, "disrespectful to my race; your career didn't get started, now erased.  Nigga climb through your window, tie 'em up, burn 'em, kill master, carve in chest: 'Nat Turner.' That nigga that roll with you?  He's a traitor.  House nigga, kill the miniskirt and bounce, nigga.  Manhattan murderer, you bitch nigga, I'm a vet.  I'ma body you before I let you disrespect?"  It's a vicious tone setter that really lays down the law.  The vocals are slowed down to make sure you don't miss a syllable, as Drasar breathes fresh life into a killer that you now realize didn't get the attention it deserved in '06.

You may remember that the original American Hunger album had three "American Hunger" tracks: "American Hunger (Breakfast)," "American Hunger (Lunch)" and "American Hunger (The Last Supper)."  Well, here we've got "American Hunger (?)."  Well, it's "Breakfast;" I don't know why they titled it like that this time around.  The original was produced by DJ Craig Rip, who I can't say I'm too familiar with, but he hooked up a good sample and added some brief but effective cuts for the hook.  I wouldn't throw out that baby with the bathwater.  But Drasar has concocted a richer, far less loopy track with crashing cymbals and live sounding drum riffs, really elevating the song to a more absorbing experience.

And it's not all dark.  "A Simple Rhyme" has a suitably light jazz ambiance; the opening almost sounds like the theme to a daytime talk show from the 80s.  The woodwinds and string samples on the original were interesting, but didn't really capture the spirit.  I mean, yeah, the point of the song is that it's "way beyond a simple rhyme."  But the harps and whatever else were going on in 2006, give it too much of a self-serious, almost religious quality.  Here, the instrumental provides an ironic undercutting that sell what Grimm's shooting for better, especially as the music is allowed to switch up and get deeper once Grimm's pulled you in with what he's saying.  Now the song's a journey, where before it honestly felt a little corny.

Honestly, beats for tracks like "Children of Abel" just felt kind of boring and skippable before.  The music is vibrant and flowing now.  I'm not a big guitar guy, but they work here.  And that's really the story with this whole LP.  American Hunger was always a good album, but clearly straining itself to stretch across three CDs.  A lot of it felt kinda forgettable, especially when the production didn't completely grab you.  That's what AHR2 does; it really makes you appreciate what Grimm was doing eighteen years ago.  And of course it's more selective than just dumping sixty songs on you.

It helps that the sound quality of AHR2 on wax is great, too.  It comes in a full color picture cover with artwork apparently by the same guy who designed MF Doom's mask.  This is an album I'd recommend not just to a Grimm completist but even to someone who usually doesn't bother with most of his albums.  You know, if your attitude is like, yeah, I know he's a good legacy MC, but life's too short to throw myself into his whole catalog.  That's fine.  Just cop this one; you don't need 'em all.  And I bet it'll make you want to track down Rebirth Vol 1.

Time To Get Busy With the Captain Cassanova

You may remember I contributed to a couple projects on Dust & Dope Recordings - wow, has it been three years ago already?  I was about to say "about a year ago" - produced by DJ Cassanova, specifically the lost, original and probably superior Papa Chuk album and The Project Crew LP.  Oh, and the Landlords Of the Morgue EP, but I still haven't managed to get my hands on a finished copy of that myself.  😕  Well, after those came another DJ Cassanova project that I didn't have anything to do with but is still really dope: The Producer Project: The Texas Tapes 1992-1995 on Chopped Herring Records.

If I had been involved, I probably would've suggested they tighten up that title a little.  But it does tell you everything you need to know.  It's a compilation of tracks that Cassanova produced from '92-'95, presumably restored from tape.  Most of these are demos by artists who never really came out, but two songs find Cas reuniting with Teddy Lee from the Project Crew.  He comes harder and a lot grimier for the 90s.  "It's On Like This" has him calling out bullshit on the hook and spitting, "impossible to break my neck tryin' to put your ass in check; I call up Michael Myers and Freddy and Jason 'cause them niggas be bassin'.  Chase them niggas down the street then decapitate 'em so they souls feel complete.  Money grip, I bust lips.  Dun dada, I got the gift."  Then "Bullseye" is based on Black Moon's line from "How Many MC's."

The only other artist that's apt to ring any bells on here is Verbal Seed of the Third Eye Militia.  At least, that's how they're billed on the label.  But more specifically, it's a solo track from Focus of Verbal Seed.  But actually, some of the best stuff here is from the guys you don't know.

The EP opens with some tight, tough jazz loops: deep bass strings, the screechy horns from Kool G Rap's "Truly Yours" and a little ragtime piano sample make a killer track for a rapper named Ex-Cel to kick some freestyle verses over.  At points, this song's nineties origins reveal their weaknesses, whether he's dropping "chiggity-check"s or lame punchlines like "pockets stay fatter than Rush Limbaugh," but for the most part he's flexing a pretty tight, smartly written flow.  And Cassanova's cuts seal the deal.  Thankfully, he's adding nice to cuts to every song on here.

Necessary Roughness live up to their name on "Nothing But a Microphone."  "Verse two about to drop, check out the way I wreck shop.  I beat the fuck out a nigga like an LA cop.  I don't stop 'cause I rock with the rough shit.  I kick the flavor that you know you can't fuck with."  Again, yeah all that "kick the flavor" stuff really dates it, but that's also part of the fun uncovering these lost records.  Anyway, it all sounds great over Cassanova's collection of dusty horn samples, including the ones Special Ed sampled on "Living Like a Star."

Things lighten up considerably when Trillogy spins a casual tale on "Nothing Better Than (20 Sack)" with his laid back vocals and heavy western drawl.  "Seven o'clock in the mornin', time to rise for school.  I can't sleep in, or my moms would act the fool.  Oh well, I might as well get to movin' around.  Put on my Karl Kani shoes and my Karl Kani suit that's brown.  Walk out into the day and smell the morning air.  Then I saw this shorty: light skin, green eyes and black hair.  Aw yeah, off I went, what's your name and hold up, though.  If sports were based on looks, girl, you would be a pro." I like Cassanova's catchy, smooth instrumental, and it's cool to to have it shake up the mood on this EP; but I'm glad there's only one song like it on here.  And they do get back to the hard stuff for the last track by Felony, "yes, you've entered the danger zone, the strangler's home, release ya from the chamber 'till my anger's gone.  Fuck what you represent; I'm heaven sent.  Niggas best repent or find that I be burnin' like incense.  Talk is cheap so I stalk and creep."  He's not the slickest MC, but it's a fun song.

So yeah, this EP's a good time.  And I checked.  As of this writing, it's still available on CH's site.  There's the 350 limited edition record, with 120 copies available on red and black mixed wax, and the remaining 230 on classic black, both in a sticker cover.  In fact, the red and black one is Chopped Herring's final colored release; they stopped their long tradition of pressing colored vinyl after that.  So it's kinda neat to have their last one.  [Edit: actually, looking at their latest announcements, they're back doing colored releases.  But they did announce at the time that this was their final one and they stopped for a while.]  Or there's the CD version, which includes two additional bonus tracks.  You can't go wrong.