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Nov 27, 2007

AZ - The Memphis Sessions · by R.H.S.


Like The Pope On The Low

AZ is one of rap’s most refined and versatile practitioners, one of a dwindling group of mid-90s emcees who have miraculously persevered through multiple industry-related setbacks and established a viable name, niche, and brand for themselves. AZ’s longevity in the game is due in no small part to his insistence on balancing panache with profundity; his focus on the technical aspects of his craft is complemented by a range of subject matter that covers the spectrum of sacred profanity. Most impressively, AZ is known to guide his brainy verses from realms above the clouds to the sordid crevices of an earthly hell and back again in a matter of bars.

Thus, The Memphis Sessions, AZ’s official “remixtape” project produced by Andrew Kelly and comprised almost entirely of joints from The Format reworked with Al Green samples, makes more than just simple musical sense. Reverand Green’s migration from soul to gospel and accompanying ordainment following his epiphanic conversion has a marvelously rendered contemporary parallel in AZ’s continuously revised narrative of the five percenter mystic trapped in the dope game and the true school poet-gentleman immersed in the deceptive luster of showbiz.

AZ’s debonair THC-inspired metaphysics are made to sound even more magnificent over the righteously funky instrumentation of Green’s backing musicians, while the snippets of the pastor’s warbled throes of exultation that make into the mix only add to the gorgeous solemnity of these selections. Sublunary fuckery and holy intellect hasn’t sounded this good since Don’t Sweat The Technique. Though Robbie already gave the world the heads up over at Unkut, I saw virtually no mention of this project anywhere else so I had to let our readers know to cop this ASAP.

I Am The Truth – Download
Get High – Download

Comments for "AZ - The Memphis Sessions"

  1. props!
    now what if az had recieved some of dj premier’s big shug beats or something. damn.


    — Amaze    Nov 27, 05:41 AM   

  2. 2nd link is bad.

    And yes this album is great. It’s probably the best of these kinds of remix albums in years.


    — rafi    Nov 27, 10:41 AM   

  3. Link should be working now.


    — R.H.S.    Nov 27, 11:54 AM   

  4. Props 2 Roger teh president.

    You know what Primo beat i wish AZ had got? “Watch How It Go Down” by Termanology. That kid is aight and stuff but that beat is far too good for a rapper of his caliber and AZ over it instead would have just been orgasmic.


    — Wite    Nov 27, 01:09 PM   

  5. This is the troof, I’ve been looking to get this album for the longest. AZ is that shit, and Al Green songs are like ready made beats, so yeah, I recommend eybody cop this.


    — fredMS    Nov 27, 01:25 PM   

  6. nahmeeen!


    — sooch    Nov 27, 05:41 PM   

  7. i been had that shit since august, its dope though-do yourself a favor and pick it up


    — nick    Nov 28, 03:03 PM