Sampling is an art. Though you’ll hear a few you recognize on Greeley hip hop group Soul Brothers‘ new album Inertia, which dropped today, what an artist does with the chopped-up interpolation can be the difference between a good song and a great song. Soul Brothers have mastered this technique, a credit to group member Thomas Easter’s slick production style.
The self proclaimed “Sons of God” are blessed and don’t take anything for granted. They have found their voice and individual flow here, combining them to make a head bobbing masterpiece. Inertia is a blend of unique instrumentation and sampling as well as truth and honesty in their rhymes.
The first track, “John Henry,” comes at you with hard-knocking drums and a fast vocal delivery which the three Emcees display throughout the album.
On “Bango,” you feel as though you’re entering the jungle with the shakers and heart-beat hand-drums that thump at the track’s beginning, complete with a rhythmic group grunt. Comparisons that come to mind lyrically here are New jersey’s Abstract and the Philadelphia rap group Ground Up, whose beats are just as impressive as their bars.
Starting off with a reversed sample, horns and a catchy chorus, “Nike Slides” shows Soul Brother’s versatility and DIY approach to music.
“Acceptance Speech” has the group proclaiming “we came here to make the lames go bye,” addressing their adversaries and doing whatever it takes to make it in the process. But they’re not all agro. The trio craft the down-tempo track “Clint Eastwood’s Basement” with standout hi-hats atop a chill vibe of melodies and flows that take you down a path of self-reflection and truth.
Inertia surprised me in more ways than one with both the production and the rapper’s ability to paint a picture through words. Overall, this album is Hip Hop to the core and pleasing both sonically and emotionally. Take a listen online now and catch the trio live at The Moxi Theater July 20 as well as a special set at the Greeley Stampede July 5.
