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1212

7L & Esoteric

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iTunes Review

A Boston-based duo who emerged back in the mid-'90s, 7L & Esoteric have been rocking the fundamental one-MC/one-DJ steez since day one, releasing records that have run the gamut from insanely great to head-scratching. Four years after their much-maligned A New Dope, and following numerous solo Eso releases, they reunite for 1212, a solid collection absolutely loaded with neck-bending beat work, ferocious wordplay, and punch lines galore. Balancing humor with hardcore, they seem to be in perfect sync with each other, and also benefit from some top-shelf guests, including Wu-Tang's Inspectah Deck ("12th Chamber"), Brand Nubian's Sadat X ("The Handle") and Dilated Peoples' Evidence, who brings Alchemist to the party on "Drawbar 1-2." While not as classic as some of their early work (specifically Speaking Real Words and Dangerous Connection) it is definitely a welcome return to form.

Customer Reviews

Yes!

7L & Eso come through on yet another album! it has a couple slower parts but overall its killer!
Run This with Celph is a sick track.

Their return is DOPE

another great album by the duo and the collabs are CRAZY, Ill Bill, Vinnie Paz, Evidence all kill it

2010 is the year of the PHARAOHS

Esoteric keeps getting better

Possibly the greatest Esoteric album ever released. Buy this.

I really started paying attention to Esoteric with Egoclapper, an album featuring mostly his own beats. I went back and explored his earlier work with 7L, and found his production to be a great match for the Boston rapper. Following Esoteric into Gary Neuman and Vs. Japan were rewarding, and the real payout was Saving Seamus Ryan, my favorite concept hip-hop album since Deltron 3030. Esoteric is not only a skilled multi-syllabilic battle rapper, but a talented and daring artist.

On to 1212. It's a sampler plate of Esoteric's different styles, from "self-produced broke-white-swagger" to "concept rapper/storyteller" to ""humble/self-deprecating skill" to everyone's favorite "Big Pun style straight multi's." And he comes as strong as he ever have in all categories. In fact, his longest stream of sickness I've ever heard comes from "12th Chamber" feat. Inspectah Deck. He doesn't waste the sick beat or legendary guest-spot at all.

Speaking of guests - Esoteric tightens the velvet rope here and each guest spot features a talented rapper who holds his own with a solo career. No hop-ons here, no embarassing verses. Celph Titled steals his track, as well.

Production ranges from the lush Premier-inspired stylings of 7L to more simple, boom-bap offerings of Esoteric - who has produced some great beats, but they just aren't as layered or loved-on as 7L's. Bars of Death was good, but in my opinion Esoteric hasn't really begun to shine until his later years, and this is his best album since Egoclapper. Possibly the greatest Esoteric album ever released. Buy this.

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