GNOTES

Gnotes Heights Front Page
The Heights – February 15, 2007

"With flowing lyrics that mirror Beck, and drumbeats that parallel Quest Love, Gnotes brings together revolutionary ideas and a revolutionary feel to his music." — Matt Fulone @ Le Provocateur "

"His Northwest roots are evident throughout the album, from the underlying political message in his lyrics (not unlike Seattle's Blue Scholars) to the beats, often built around guitar samples, that he produces." 33Jones

"Similar to Immortal Technique and Sage Francis [...] something to spice up the indie scene." Ear It Now

"It's got a classic sound — on-point rhymes, punchy flows, and hints of vinyl dust and well-worn samples amidst tasteful live licks." – Wayne and Wax

"Gnotes' combination of lyrics and real instrumentation places him amongst the bohemian MCs like Mos Def, Madvillan, or RJD2." – HipHoosier

"a local should-have for all imaginative hip-hop fans who repel cornball rap with the same zeal that they loathe the bling boys." The Weekly

"It's not quite like any other hip hop record I've heard before. The instrumentals are more vibrant and alive than a lot of albums these days. There are clearly a wide range of musical influences at play here, and it makes for a unique sound." – Ink Slinger

AFRO DZ AK

"You ever heard of an emcee you can also play the trumpet? Me neither… Lyrically, Afro DZ ak doesn't slack on the mic as he weaves through different topics with ease and an uncanny ability to connect with the listener… The sweet singing in the hook and instrumentation reminds me of vintage ATCQ" Rap Reviews

"It sounds as though the music could be coming from a Miles Davis record, not a hip-hop album." Tufts Daily

"Not often does one come across a musical hybrid like the rapping and trumpet-playing Afro DZ ak… The album fails to disappoint with its combination of conscious, intelligent lyrics and skillfully played music. NYU News

"The winning ingredient in this eclectic hip hop stew is the music. DZ ak colorfully loops soulful horns, organs, and other jazzy tidbits over beats that leave even the most discriminating of listeners susceptible to head bobbing." The Noise

"Uplifting and thought-provoking" Lost at Sea

ELEMENTAL ZAZEN

"Clean as a surgical scalpel and just as sharp… The Glass Should Be Full is what a nervous system would sound like if you plugged it into an amp."
The Weekly Dig

"Zazen is also a top caliber lyricist, a rare treat in a genre where being thoughtful and insightful is often treated like a sinful vice instead of a saintly virtue."
Rap Reviews

"Fast, furious, raw, and reflective… Verbally nimble and righteously indignant, Zazen rhymes with a purpose"
The Boston Globe

"The Cambridge rapper might be the most gangsta motherfucker on the Boston hip-hop scene… his sophomore release is as hardcore an opus as Tupac’s Me Against the World"
The Boston Phoenix

"Tracks like "Disappear" display an existential flair from this skilled MC. The production, courtesy of a bunch of different producers, is hard and banging, matching Zazen's forceful flow"
Lost at Sea / Glaciers of Ice

"In these trying times, hip-hop needs cats like Elemental to help convey these messages of fear, struggle and pain from deep within the American Dream, as well as on a more global level. Pump this in your jeeps while you are plotting your next public disturbance, or peace rally."
Rock the Dub

DJ CANYON

Interview published in CARMEN, a magazine based Spain.