J-Live's elastic, laconic style is most similar to De La Soul's Posdnuos; both share a love of words (J-Live teaches English to middle-school students) and arrange them in blooming bunches. When J-Live puts them together in context, like on "Nights Like This" and "A Charmed Life," it's a true rush. "One For the Griot," "Stir of Echoes" and "Satisfied" will all have hip-hop fans choking on superlatives. Approach this album as a novel, pick it up, soak it up, then revisit it in a couple days. All of the Above reveals new colors and textures with each listen, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who values lyrical skill.
Other Versions
- 21 Songs
- 2001
- 2002
- 2015
- 2005
- 2021
- 2015
- Asheru & Blue Black
- Richy Pitch
- Various Artists
- People Under the Stairs
- DJ Unwind
- Jazz Liberatorz
- Strange Fruit Project