Moka Only, Lowdown Suite 2: The Box (Feelin' Music)
Aug 5, 2009 4:35 PM, Max Herman
Canadian cool
Possibly the most prolific hip-hop artist out of Canada's west coast, former Swollen Members rep Moka Only is the type of act who lives to write and record. With Lowdown Suite 2: The Box, the Vancouver, British Columbia–based MC and producer drops his umpteenth album in the past decade. And on this chill LP, Moka Only makes it clear that he's not going anywhere.
With a song like "Fried Rice," you feel Only's perseverance here. Highlighted by a mellow flute loop and crisp drums, this bluesy single sees the MC reflect on financial struggles while looking forward to the future. Even on the instrumental "Trudgin (Instrolude)," Only's drive is heard, in this case with a persistent piano melody steadily moving along as horns weave in and out of the beat.
Entirely self-produced, this album features a certain consistency that carries on to relationship joints ("Isn't Over"), freestyle-type cuts ("Funky") and everything else along the way. Sure, not every one of the 18 tracks on Lowdown Suite 2 has the potential to be a hit, but Only keeps these mostly chill, jazzy numbers on a similar vibe without getting redundant. [3.5 out of 5 stars]
| Want to use this article? Click here for options! |  |
Acceptable Use Policy blog comments powered by Disqus
