All Natural - Elements (Fire)

Those who say, “They don’t make hip hop like they used to,” need look no further. On May 6th, Chicago’s hip hop veterans All Natural, are back with a new album, Elements (Fire).
“Fire” is part one of a four-part series in which each album will represent a different natural element and hip-hop vibe. True to its name, Elements (Fire) represents hip-hop’s aggressive boom-bap sound made popular during the mid-90s. MC cap D sets the album’s tone on the initial track, The All , with an ag- gressive battle rap in which he shows that he is still on top of his game. On past albums All Natural has displayed a variety of sounds and flavors, however Elements (Fire) is “in your face” hip-hop throughout.
The only exception is on the song Stronger than Love, a smooth and soulful track on which cap D kicks a classic story about the correct way to hustle. Another album highlight is Signature Flow, a rough reggae track featuring Chicago legend Grav who spits an ill ragamuffin flow alongside his friend Noyd.
Bringing new faces to the game is a staple in the All Natural formula. On the production side, “Fire” places veteran producers such as Kev Brown (De La Soul and Raheem De Vaughn) and cap D (All Natural and J-Live) alongside newcomers such as Proh Mic, Kalico, Gee Field and Battletek. On the lyrical side, All Natural introduces labelmate Rita J (whose solo album, Art- ist Workshop, drops fall 2008). On the song Good Life, Rita and cap D define what “good life” means in their eyes.
Other stand out tracks include, SomethinofNothin and Poppers Pop and Breakers Break (an up-tempo song that pays homage to the Windy City’s world famous B-boy scene of the past and pre- sent). In step with the b-boy vibe, the song You Know My Name features a video available on YouTube in which Chicago Phase II B-Boy crew represents lovely (http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=MGbymoQmKb0). Of course, you can’t have a classic boom- bap album without scratches from the DJ, so Tone B supplies a variety of phrase and cuts for heads to reminisce.
For those of you who are familiar with All Natural’s previous work, you will notice traits from their past albums...but don’t think 50 Years, think Fresh Air and Thinking Cap.