PARALLEL- DO YOU UNDERSTAND? ABSENT MERIDIAN MUSIC
Almost a year ago, I did a review on this So-Cal group aptly named Parallel. In 2007, they went about the business of making a debut album that wreaks havoc right out of the starting gate and doesn’t stop until all have fallen. “Do You Understand?” is an album that creatively fuses the classic mid 90’s flavor with some new musical endeavors. The group is a collective of 6 emcees and 3 DJ’s/Producers bringing you more flavor than a bottle of Goya adobo.
The album opens with the appropriately named “Pass the Mic”. The nice and slightly funk influenced beat has all 6 cats flexing their skills with playfulness and ease. And after just one song we can already tell that these cats have a few tricks up their sleeve. There are other flavors on this album though. On “Beams of Light” they compare themselves as somewhat diamonds in the rough. They definitely shine on this track! Even though this track is slow and prodding, at the same time, it’s intense and the lyrics are sick, so all in all we got ourselves a great track. The next banger is the boom bap-ish “Where Ya At?” which contains both an ill bass line which, the producers are notorious for injecting from time to time, and a dope Q-Tip vocal sample. Many of the tracks are very up beat and add a fun, infectious energy reminiscent of the Leaders of the New School era of Hip Hop. This is evident in the tracks “The Root”, “Pirate Radio” and “Rumors” to name a few. Besides those outstanding songs there are others that give this album a truly special feel. Case in point, “Harvest” plays off on the movie “Signs” with a dark sci-fi feel to it. The beat is hauntingly dope and gathers your attention with determined verses to match the vibe. If I had to make a comparison, they remind me of a modern Artifacts/Arsonists type crew. They’re lyrically and audibly unrelenting.
Chances are strong that you will want to add this solid Cali-release to your collection. “Do You Understand?” proves that a new breed of emotional emcees can make socially conscious music. The ultimate combination of styles is heard on the nearly 20 title tracks. Production wise the melodic leads can be quite memorable, making for an arresting experience, rather than an exercise in instrumental masturbation. That’s why of the 4 interludes/instrumentals, two of them are not empty fillers, but something you’ll either enjoy having taken you from one song to the next song or bust your own rhymes to. They’re that good!
In the final analysis, I can honestly say that I loved “DYU?” It is an example of the kind of album from a talented group that works far more than a Hip Hop clinic for the diehards. If you’re looking for something a little different to add to your mental collection, then give “Do You Understand?” a chance; you may end up surprised as well. Most of the tunes are compact, driving the point home with well-placed verses, precision scratches and superb production. Actually this is one of those albums that might slip through your fingers if you don’t give it your full attention. Give it just that and you will see this album grow into a tantalizing entity. Support these dope individuals by “BUYING” their material @ http://www.parallelmusic.net/ or http://www.myspace.com/parallelcrew Thanx, CyPhEr777
