Search - Ming & Fs :: Back to One

Ming + FS fail to disappoint

Mod | USA | 11/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After hearing the different vibes on "Subway Series," I purchased this album. It was like a different brand of deja-vu all over again listening to this album. Bits and pieces of "The Most Dangerous Drip" plague "Fish Eyes", and the bold aerial vibe of "Misdirected" reintroduces itself on "Back to One". Following "Back to One" is "50ft Mole Man". Sounding more like a Rob Dougan B-side than a M+Fs production at first, it matures quickly into an early '90s hip-hop track with heavy D&B overtones. "Slang Verbs," though almost annoying, has a nice vibe to it and is enjoyable. "Starts Somewhere" is a very nice track, brings back memories of 1996 and 1997 hip-hop. "Draw" is a generic De La Soul-like skit. "Big Little Jeffrey" sounds like a party song that breaks down in many places and is ultimately danceable. "Skills and Grace," possessing a pretty mediocre beat, has fairly nice rhymes, not the best joint on the CD. "Chester goes to Town" is definitely old school Ming + Fs with a very strong sophisticated feel to it. "2092" is completely an ATCQ-era track, vastly enjoyable. "Nadia" sounds grim and all too artsy, but it has its moments.

Overall, a confident 10/10 on this beauty of an effort. I was afraid this album would be even harder than Subway Series, but it turned out to be an extreme pleasure to see that Ming+FS have moved up their game a bit higher than just raw beats. Practically every track on this album is good, and the (re)direction Ming+FS have taken is the right one in the age of synthesized hip-hop that sounds more low-tech than space-age. Cop this."

The Best One Yet...

El Bandito | Brooklyn NY | 08/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The boys are back!!!!! If you've been waiting for that underground sound (a la Hell's Kitchen) to return, than this is the record for you. I read a review in Paper Magazine saying "[Back to One] sounds like a more criminally minded Thievery Corporation, full of dusted hip-hop beats as well as the revelation of an MC, Cincinnati-based Napoleon Solo, whose Rakim-like poetics give the album a fleshed-out feel" And this couldn't be more spot on. The album as a whole isn't as frenetic at Hell's Kitchen but its still really deep and the beats are solid. Napoleon Solo's rhyming is the perfect combination to their abstract beats. Some of my favorite tracks are : the opening track "Fish Eyes" - nice hypnotic hip hop beat that turns drum & bass; the jazzy abstract "Back To One", Napoleon Solo is epic on "Slang Verbs" and they colab with DK again for "Nadia".



If you don't know Ming+FS' past work, start with this and work your way back. If you are already a fan I would definitely recommend this record!!!!!"

Best album yet

timajick | new york usa | 08/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a fan of Ming&Fs i was quite excited to hear the new direction on this album. Backwards that is. This has the feeling and sound of the first Ming & Fs tracks that I love, deep dubby trip hop, bizar disembodied voices, all held together with a skeleton of pure funk. For those not familiar with them...think Ninja Tune New York style..."