Harlem, 2001… Cannibal Ox came out hard as shit with an album that was the total antithesis to the jiggy Harlem World sound that defined Uptown at the time (pre-Dip Set). Over El-P’s dystopic lo-fi psychedelic boom-bap beats, Vordul Mega and Vast Aire suddenly lent real street cred to the otherwise nerdy whiteboy Def Jux sound, weaving tough street tales with enough PKD-inspired paranoid psychosis to keep up with El and his bullshit. Only real equivalent would be Jay Electronica circa 2008, or maybe Run The Jewels (which is basically just a recycling of this). Peep “Pigeon,” “Scream Phoenix,” “Atoms,” “Iron Galaxy,” “Vein,” “Stress Rap” and “Real Earth.” This expanded 4LP reissue includes El-P’s instrumentals on the third and fourth LP which stand up tall on their own. There’s been a couple represses in recent years but all have been super hard to get ahold of; this one probably won’t last too long either. Recommended.
- deluxe edition of seminal 2001 Def Jux album produced by El-P
- 4x vinyl pressing includes original album plus full album instrumentals
- translucent blue colored vinyl
- housed in gatefold jacket
- limited edition of 500 copies
- music label: iHipHop Distribution 2018
reviewed by winston wolf 03/2019