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Free At Last

Freeway

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Album Review

Almost five years after releasing a near-classic rap debut, Freeway finally gets his second shot, and there's some unsurprisingly frank talk about his surroundings not being identical. Since Philadelphia Freeway's early 2003 release, there was the Damon Dash/Jay-Z Roc-A-Fella rift, so Free addresses that, despite it being old news. He was, after all, caught in the middle and did not switch labels. Then there's "It's Over," which could be the first track to mention the producer not responsible for its beat; in fact, both Just Blaze (who produced ten Philadelphia Freeway tracks) and Kanye West (who chipped in with two) are saltily put on blast for either not getting back or being too busy. Throw in a deepened relationship with 50 "Somewhat Responsible for Mobb Deep's Blood Money" Cent, who replaces Dash's role as co-executive producer, as well as what could be perceived as an enthusiasm shortage on the part of the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam family, and Free at Last has all the makings of a disappointment — a release destined to slide off everyone's radar within a couple weeks of release. "Oh, yeah, Freeway eventually put out that second album...Free Again, or something?" The album is not the least bit deserving of that fate. Even with the amount of expectation-lowering context heavy on the mind, Free at Last sounds like a very strong follow-up. Apart from the 50 feature "Take It to the Top," with a light and frilly production that is absolutely the worst fit for Free's gruff and pop-unfriendly voice, there are no obvious points of weakness — unless, of course, Free's lack of vocal versatility is something to gripe about. His "boa constrictor flow" can still be taxing (or even immediately off-putting to some ears) across the course of an album, and it is apparent that Nice & Smooth would consider him a lost cause for their MCing class, but his intelligible grunts and rasps are just as commanding and riveting as any other MC's arsenal. With a pilgrimage to Mecca also in his recent past, the dichotomy between his threat/boast-based rhymes and more reflective side is greater than it was on Philadelphia Freeway, and it isn't at the expense of toughness — take, for instance, "I will squeeze and leave your spleen on the outside." He is a sharper, more vivid lyricist, and it can also be sensed that he has done everything in his power to make up for all that lost time. And it must be said that his as-common-as-ever exultations of "Early!" — practically a tic at this point — are more perplexing and amusing than ever.

Customer Reviews

Freeway-Free At Last

A four year hiatus, Philadelphia Freeway is finally back with some new material. Explaining that the Roc's break up affected his career, he said it wasn't as easy to make records, due to all the problems. Free is finally, Free At Last. This Can't Be Real: Marsha Ambrosius croons softly with "this can't be real" as Free begins the album nicely. Light flute lines, piano keys and high hats create this light record. Free reminisces about the past, talking about the Roc, Beanie Sigel and the Roc's breakup. "They say Jay ain' f***in wit Dame and Bigs ain't f***in wit Jay", "they say Roc A Fella fold, and we left out in the cold, Freeway left naked, I won't sell another record, ya'll talkin reckless". 3.5/5 It's Over: Pianos and horn rousing production mixed with a soulful sample create this soulful with scratch production. 4/5 Still Got Love: Another soul filled track with vibrant organs and clap heavy production, Free celebrates his return and how he "still got love" for the game. Party worthy and feel good vibe, Free sounds in his zone here. 3.5/5 Roc A Fella Billionaires: Dame Grease produced, the lead single that sampes Helen Gallagher's version of "Big Spender". Marching band drums and a club banger, Jay trades bars with Free on this creating an excellent track. 4.5/5 When They Remember: Production was decent, not as good as the previous soul samples, but solid nonetheless. Free spits nicely, but the track just doesn't effect you like it should. Decent. 3/5 Take It To The Top: Pop chart producer, J.R. Rotem brings his ever so catchy and pop production with synths and string arrangements, this is totally aimed for chart success. From 50's light sing songy hook to J.R.'s pop production, it just doesn't fit Free's style. He isn't a ladies man, he has that raspy street tough voice, and is not intended for these poppy radio tracks. 3/5 Spit That S***: Piano keys with a bounce and a solid beat, Free's hook is solid as he spits well. His street voice and flow sounds real good on this track and he spits so hard, it seems his lungs are about to burst. Nice street cut here. 3.5/5 Reppin The Streets: Drum pattern and soulful keyboards that join crooning horns create a soulful street joint. Free reminisces on his past, grinding on the streets, not having clothes with labels, and the poverty struggles. The passion and pain in his voice is very heartfelt and this ends up being a highlight. 4/5 Free At Last: String line and relaxed feel, Free flows about how everybody has been anticipating him. A good track, not as good as "Reppin The Streets" but a solid track. He spits, "but I gotta fire them, party rap n***as tryin to get up in the spot with them, but they gassed, they can't breathe they need oxygen". 3.5/5 Baby Don't Do It: Another soulful production, the sample is very nice chiming in with "baby don't do it". Free spits with some raspy emphasis about street business, "Freeway got connect with the bosses, the coke from the dealer, you can net with the auction, I'm still prepared for your squadron, I tear up my target, vest over my organs, calicode with cartridge". Scarface drops a solid guest appearance about blasting others and this no hook, straight bars track is Free's style. 4/5 Nuttin On Me: An organ, horn shrieking interjecting production is lively and banging. Free flows solid on this at times though, he is overpowered by the overbusy production. Decent. 3/5 Walk Wit Me: Straight fire on this cut, its similar to Joe Budden's "Walk With Me", except harder and not as musically nice. Piano line and pumping bass, Busta Rhymes brings some hardcore bars and was the perfect guest for this track. The sample works well as Free's hook and verse are excellent, spitting, "take a walk with the dyin skills to define art, flow fluently straight from my mind starts to define smart, n*** try me I leave him dearly departed, civilians or artists, arsenals I leave your man chopped!" Jadakiss adds to this track as well, excellent track. 4.5/5 Lights Get Low: Cool & Dre create this club banger with uptempo bass that is intended to be a "Flipside" banger. However Cool & Dre switch it up at the hook, adding a spaced out synth part with Dre crooning a soulful like hook to make the track slightly inspirational, but then it goes back to the club beat. Rick Ross, just doesn't fit here and his appearance was only decent. 3.5/5 I Cry: Soul sample that has an assisting light piano keys and strings that seem to just pour themselves out, while Free spits about the hardships. Spitting as he calls it "real rap", Free let's you know there are things that make man cry. Some real deep issues, Free spits well and this is heartfelt cut. Nice ending to the album. 4/5 Freeway's return to the rap game is a worthy backup to his excellent debut disc. By no means is it a classic, but a very good album that is filled with soulful hip hop. First and foremost if you don't like Freeway's raspy voice, then you won't like this album, period. But for many like me, I find his voice a distinctive and unique aspect of his success as an emcee. Whether its his raspy gutter style of "Earrrlly!" to the point where it seems he's about to burst with his huge lung capacity. His flows are emphasized and spit with passion which shows his love for rapping, he never gets lazy and is extremely focused. The first three tracks let you know, the soulful "Still Got Love" has Free flowing fluidly and celebrating. Great vibe, similarly found on the hit single, "Roc A Fella Billionaires" over Helen Gallagher's "Big Spender" and a marching band style production, Free & Jay trade bars freely. Free reminisces on label troubles with "This Can't Be Real", as "It's Over" deals with similar issues, both tracks having soulful funk productions. "Walk Wit Me" is straight fire, "Baby Don't Do It" and "Reppin The Streets" are solid cuts. Great album from Free, one of the stronger releases this year. Rating 8 out of 10

Free At Last Delivers

This is one of the best albums of the year. Roc-A-Fella Billionaires is a hit, automatically. He has a few but some real good guest appearances and he carries the weight on his solo songs. Great album

Free at last!

Freeway is back! I didn't even know it was dropping today until yesterday! You can't go wrong with putting Roc-A-Fella and G-Unit together! A must buy! Click yes if you are glad Freeway is home.

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