Search - Camp Lo :: Let's Do It Again

It's not the first album...

W. Sullivan | Portland, Oregon USA | 10/31/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Uptown Saturday Night was a triumph. It reminded me of how good a hip hop album could be. Camp Lo is Busta Rhymes meets A Tribe Called Quest Meets Digable Planets. The essential hip hop meets funk meets jazz is elemental in their first album, but is absent in this latest effort. There are a few choice tracks, but even Black Connection II lacks the luster that the first track on Uptown Saturday Night shone. Recommended for your CD library, but don't expect another Uptown Saturday Night."

Diamond Crooks drop another jewel

Concerned Citizen | Toronto | 07/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Those of us who recognized Camp Lo's first album, Uptown Saturday Night, as a classic knew that it would be hard to live up to. Known for their 70's blaxpliotation style, jive slang and incredibly liquid flows, Camp Lo comes back with something almost completely new. I feared that their style would get old, but they have pulled another card from their sleeve and delivered an album that shows exploration into soul, funk and blues sounds. Similar to the first album, several songs on this album show attention to detail. Standout tracks like "Glow", "How U Walkin'", "Soul Train" and "Macadame" have chorus' with several layers of smooth sounds that make them so infectious. The production is exceptional but it comes with a new flavour you may have to adjust to. Congo drums, funky bass lines, and even some r+b singing marks some of the new sounds that producer Ski is working with. "China Soul" and "Gorilla Pimp" exhibit the successful experiments, meanwhile, "Gotcha" and "Black Connect II" demonstrate the Camp's fascination with old movies, this time it's the high speed frantic film "Warriors" (Remember D12's "Fight Music" video? It's based on this movie).Lyrically, Geechi still leads in the rhyme department but Cheeba's distinctive voice steals many songs with his supapimp vanacular that he adjusts to each track perfectly; "Cheeb' buyin hit lanes on fours, and I switch dames in full-color/ Dip planes on smalls, and I'm hot white, plus fur covered". The interesting thing about Camp Lo is that they don't rhyme so much as they just rap. On this album, unlike the first, they occasionally use a few rhyme patterns, which come off a little clunky as opposed to their usual mellifluous delivery. Regardless they still spit in a style all their own making them some of the best emcees to listen to.Although I was expecting a few more tracks on the album, such as the single put out last year, "Cookers", and the track on the Stimulated Compilation "Something for Nothing" (both ill tracks), I am still happy to say the album is SO sick. Whether it proves to be a classic like the first, I'm not concerned, I'm just glad to hear Lo put out some good new material. Yo, Dymond Crooks, don't take so long next time and hopefully you get this album moving due to word of mouth because as far as I know the single "Glow" still has no video, plus no distribution deal in Canada (I dropped [over thirty] Canadian for this album). If you want a jewel be a crook yourself and steal this album. July 08/2002."

Get that Glo and Grab Another Taste of the 70's

The Homey | Philadelphia | 06/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many rap artists certainly made their mark in the 90's. Yes, it's true some fell off, but it's the question of why they fell off. Enter the experience the LO went through and you'll understand the means of being a good recording artist. While the LO was working on the second LP, Profile was sold to Arista. They were caught in the shuffle and chose to get dropped from the label. However, the 'chini brothers still appeared as guest performers on other tracks, like De La Soul's "So Good". It took forming up their own label, Dymond Crook, to establish their music creatively. One thing you gotta love about the LO is their love on making music and not worrying about the "figures". While they aren't the most popular among today's artists, they still hold a place in today's hip-hop era, proving to stand the test of time. "Gotcha" - Fast paced beat and crazy lyrics find the LO in terms of heisting. Personally, I didn't find the chorus bad at all like other reviewer did. This song will remind you of "Krystal Karrington", the dark song that starts the rest of the album going in high speed."Let's Do It Again" - At first when I heard this song, I thought the beat was kinda repetitive and too bouncy. But the more times I listened to it, the more I grew to like it. Crazy lyrics. Very similar to "Luchini" in terms of delivery, pace, and song breaks but this time there's singers in the background. Now I listen to this song more than "Luchini".....perfect song to start off the day."Glow" - This song could be considered the 2nd half of Luchini. Too bad, it shoulda gotten more airplay; it definitely would have brought them back on top. Many found the chorus weak, it's cool with me. Cool soul singing in the background. Cheeba seems to have fun towards the end of the song..."8 Moons Ago" - Hmmm, I was surprised that is song was a solo effort, but you realize the individuality between the two artists. Suede's voice works well for this song about losing a friend and a girl. Not too somber, nice piano pace, great singing similiar to Stevie Wonder. Very deep, nice effort."How U Walkin" - The perfect LO beat. Listen closely to the sounds in the background. You'll be doing a funky walk all your own to this joint..."Black Connect II" - Well, in USN, Cheeba did say "Volume 1 of this joint" in the first part, so it's no surprise for this sequel. It's got a James-Bond-meets-the-Matrix rhythm. Nice storytelling of a good heist gone awry....oh yeah, stay tuned for a little something after this song goes off...."Soul Train" - Perfect name, flawless beat, the LO are aboard the train, wanna ride?"Gorilla Pimp" - Next to "Glow", this song was the other single released at the time the album came out. Packed with tom-toms, gorilla hoots, even moans and groans, one of the dirtest beats on the album. Good song I'll listen to occassionally."China Soul" - Yeah, the beat is amazingly close to a Jay-Z project, but that's OK 'cause the LO always comes proper. The LO do rip the mic though. Great chorus with Cheeba and the soul singers."Macadame" - Nice beat, although I'm not too fond of this song. I dunno why. Cheeba's distinctive voice goes great with Chris Stowe's high falsetto. Good pimp song, but the only track with a hit-or-miss quality..."Turbo Ozone" - Once again, this song had to grow on me after a while. Handsome, formerly known as Jungle Brown, joins in, too bad it's only for one track though. Tight beat, similar to "Gorilla Pimp"....."Carnival 4 Sha" - LO's uniqueness in beats comes once again with this Latin experience. One of my favorites just because only the LO can pull off a beat like this like no other. Yes, it's a little unconventional, but greatly appreciated to break the monotomy of hip-hop music..."Skybox" - Beautiful finish to the album. This song works well next to "8 Moons". Other flashback to family and basically spreading more love is the message. A little short, but it serves its purpose...."Let's Do It Again" explores the blues, the flashy side of the 70's, the aura of love, the play on instruments and vibes, the soul singers. Definitely edgy than Uptown Saturday Night, Suede and Cheeba continue to shine on their rhyming skills while the beats lie comfortable between them. And with most of the music out today in rap, the LO truely stands out with an original sound, both musically and lyrically. Good tracks are "Glow", "8 Moons Ago", "How U Walkin'", "Black Connect II", "Soul Train", "Let's Do It Again", "China Soul", "Carnival for Sha" and "Skybox". There's also a hidden track after the last song called "Crookz", however, only the latter copies of this CD may have it available.5 years is certainly a while, but most of us understand why. The LO did it for themselves, for the love of music, for the fans who made it possible for a second album. Another great CD, and hopefully another one to come..."