Encore

Editor's Review:

Encore was first heard by the masses on the Handsome Boy Modeling School album, and his contribution to that joint ("Water World") didn’t really represent the full scope of this Bay Area rapper’s true skill. However, from the first track on Self Preservation, aptly entitled "Bio," it becomes obvious that Encore and his principal production partner, The Architect, work together well, ultimately crafting one of the best Bay Area indie hip-hop releases of the year to date.

Encore’s style is hard and precise, but retains enough wisdom to make his shit sound thought-out. Delivery is pretty straightforward, with a little lyrical acrobatics here and there, but it isn’t lacking any cleverness as far as word play and flow. Lyrical content is similar to Encore’s style: hard and serious, but enlightened and intelligent enough pull off hard raps without sounding like a gangsta’ poseur or a punk, and he maintains an air of confidence and experience when dropping raps of higher consciousness. And of course, there’s the "prop-yourself / diss wack rappers" schtick requisite of any good hip-hop record.

The beats on Self Preservation are slammin’ too. Piano samples both lilt through and punctuate certain tracks ("For You," "Love & Hate), creating foreboding or soft and dark moods. Other tracks are low end-heavy, with fresh, deep beats and bass lines that roll and stumble ("Considadis"), providing the perfect foundation for Encore to rap over.

The complete package is well worth the price of admission, and offers a dose of refreshment in a currently stale underground hip-hop environment. All that and you get an ECD containing the Dr. Octagon video for "Blue Flowers" from the fine folks at 75 Ark. Such a deal.

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Record Label 75 Ark Records Released April 2001

Tracks The Bio For You Esoteric Love & Hate Considadis .084 The View E.T. Sporadic The Situation Live from S.F. Takin' It Self Preservation It's Going Down Blue Flowers