Rising Again
Posted December 01, 2014
By MarkRyan_NRT, Staff Reviewer
After a short hiatus from the music industry, much like the mythical phoenix Trip Lee has risen again. Latest album Rise is a strong return for Trip. His style turned up from previous releases, the hiatus seems to have given the Reach Records artist renewed focus and a new strength. A key focus of this album is truly the re-birth of an industry veteran.
One of the interesting production notes is that producer extraordinaire Gawvi crafted each and every song. With typical Gawvi style, the beats hit hard and there are interesting production notes in each of the tracks. From the intro on "Rise" to the orchestration of the beats on "Manolo," the album is signature Gawvi.
The one thing that hasn't changed about Trip is his ability to turn a phrase and to draw people into the music. He works the mic with perfection on "Shweet." My first reaction was a puzzled look, but the groove is infectious and the message is deeper. The song is all about bragging on God and not on our material possessions. Trip's unique voice combined with the beat put together by Gawvi is really something to behold. The changes in tempo on the track are seamless, and you are continually waiting for the next drop.
"Manolo" may be one of the hardest hitting songs of the year. It is definitely a track on which the listener is immediately engaged when the beat drops. The fact that the song is about the power of the Word of God is a definite bonus.
From the hard-hitting "Manolo" to the melodic "All Rise Up" to the extremely personal "Beautiful Life 2 (Mine)," this album crosses so many sonic and thematic lines. The hooks are tight, and each song tells a story. Speaking of hooks, Dmitri McDowell features on two tracks, adding a wonderfully lyrical touch to the album.
And speaking of features, Lecrae, This'l and Andy Mineo all lend a hand on this one. Mineo features on "Insomniac." This track is like a wild jazz session with Trip and Andy throwing down over some extremely heavy bass. You definitely won't be able to sleep on this track.
Closing Thoughts:
This album is brilliant. From top to bottom, each track keeps you on the edge of your seat, and on each listen you will hear something new. For a lot of us, music provides an underscore throughout our days. However, with this album I encourage you to listen deeply and closely. Hear the message, find the nuances, and use it to Rise over whatever you are facing.
Song to Download Now:
"Shweet" (Get it on iTunes here.) View All Music And Book Reviews By MarkRyan_NRT | View MarkRyan_NRT's Profile
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