CD Reviews - Issue 58

Cava Menzies
Give In Let Go
Cava Music Group

With a sound reminiscent of vocalists such as Goapele & Esthero, Cava Menzies weaves her rich blend of soul, jazz, rock and hip hop with top-notch production on her debut Give In Let Go. Featuring MCs Zion & D.U.S.T., this album plays to the heartbeat of the Bay Area neo-soul sound. The album's deep, relaxed grooves and expert instrumentation make you want to just kick back, close your eyes and listen.

Myself
Protest In Disguise
Couture Music Wear

Mashing up genres like it's nobody's business, this New York by New Orleans native is set to break down all the walls that stereotyping builds. He's tall, lanky and has some serious dreads, but you won't hear a whole lot of reggae on his debut album Protest In Disguise. Backed by a versatile band with styles ranging from ska to punk to hip hop, Myself isn't out there to catagorize himself into any genre. "It's definitely a mixture...it's like Gumbo. A little bit of this, a little bit of that..."

The Grouch
Show You The World
Legendary Music

His first solo release in more than five years, The Grouch refines his gift with Show You The World. It's the familiar Grouch attitude, just polished up all shiny. One thing that's certain throughout the album is his daughter's influence. With an overall sense of optimism in his words, unlike previous releases that favored a darker social commentary, still keeps to The Grouch's distinct brand wit and angst. With guest features such as Murs and One Block Radius' Marty James, this is by far my favorite of The Grouch's albums to date...not to mention one of the best hip hop releases in the past couple years.

Knobody
The Clean Up
Heiroglyphics
As the newest member of the Hiero crew, Oakland's Knobody has some big shoes to fill. Luckily he's shining the tips on his 10 & 1/2's and is about to 'give the industry a good swift kick in the ass.' His rhyme schemes are immaculate with instant classics like "Supa" and "Oh My Job". Well on his way to becoming your favorite underground MC, Knobody's been running the streets hustling his music for almost 10 years - finally breaking through in 2007 with a full length in stores. He's ready to take over the nation's eardrums, 'hustling for purpose!' I'm telling you, if you sleep on this record, you'll be bummed...so go get it!!