New York is known for it’s ill MC’s, Posses, Cliks and Headz who have represented rap music and the Hip-Hop culture since it’s birth, in the Bronx, from back in the late 70’s. Of course, when people talk or mention New York, New York City is automatically assumed. Here in present day, a new era of “New Yorker” has arrived. Buffalo-area based producer, Doc Martin, of the EPOC crew emerges through, well North of the Tapan Zee Bridge putting the North-East vast land of New York state on the map, with “Cointelpro: Mission 1“.
“Cointelpro: Mission 1“, coined after a government-based, top secret program, implemented in the 60’s to apparently attempt to dismantle any Black Nationalistic organizations that existed, seemingly and subjectively trying to destroy any type of “afro-centricity” that existed within Black communities and Black America. This compilation of tracks, with various local area emcees’ is a modern day realization of that supposed “top-secret” program as well as a display of the lyrical talent that lies in the realm of Upstate New York. In reverse of today’s typical compilation album where a number of different producers bless tracks throughout the release, “Cointelpro: Mission 1” is entirely produced by one man – Doc Martin. Doc came on the scene around 1999, credited with production of a few Buffalo area underground artists and definitely comes with “the real” with this latest effort.
The lyrical content throughout the album ranges from flows of self intelligence, to revolution, to the dropping of knowledge while spittin’ pure fire in the process. The significant and interesting thing about the production is that NO TRACK SOUNDS THE SAME. 20 gems of righteous tracks with well though out beat structure, samples, and turntable scratches, coupled with ill lyrics. Guest appearances include; Kactus, Rahiem, Dave Slick, Blackstock, Styles-Goldminer, EPOC, T.G.O, Doggy 4000, Casablanca, Vets-N-Theives, Zone, Inck-1, Native Sun, Strategy, Money Mike and Zone Da Northstar. Now, one might wonder, “who in the hell are these cats??”…so did I. The album is filled with dusty beats, flutes, violins, strings, record static…you name it. The production/beat-vibe differs with each track through out and is reminiscent in the ranges of RZA-type tracks to J.Rawls-type tracks to Diamond D.-esqe type tracks to all the heavy weights in today’s industry (peace to Doc Martin). To really point out any stand-out tracks would be tough since the whole album is done nicely, but ones that are “sure shots” are; “Unda=World”, “Tear Shit Up”, “Eleven 3 Tymez”, “Dogg 30”, “In Memory of”, “East-Side Story – the movie”, “Urban Monk”. “N Da Lo” and “Street Warz I”.
Collectively, “…Mission 1” should be a template for all those new jacks/new comers trying to figure out what a dope album should sound like and how heavy beats should be rocked, on the microphone. Doc Martin and his whole lyrical crew proves that New York State has more to bring to the game other than their city brethrens, who have been carrying the torch for the past 30+ years. If you can find “Cointelpro: Mission 1“, pick it up immediately. Very recommended. Peace.
Reviewed By P The Uptownkid for HipHopHotSpot.Com
