3.5/5
Ghosted.
"Yo, Tim Harvey man. I know you're in Japan. You moved from the U.K. You're gonna be alone for Christmas and the holiday seasons. Far from your loved ones. But I just want to say, I love you. George loves you. George wanted me to tell you he loves you and we all love you. And we want you to keep your spirits lifted and stay blessed. And don't worry about it...don't worry about it. We with you in spirit brother. Don't worry about it. We love you. Ghost D-Block. Yeaaah." In my life I couldn't imagine a better present to haunt my Christmas past and lift my spirits than this Cameo from the Ghost, Holiday Styles last holiday season. Especially being so Far East, quarantined away from flying home in Japan at a distance. Thank you P. Thank you G. Flights may have been cancelled, but Christmas wasn't thanks to my best friend and my new one. I love you too. That's why I had to send Sheek Louch back to my man George in reply. D-Block and brothers for life. Jadakiss is next to Lox lock it down. But now it's time for some 'Ghosting'. Following the haunting 'My Life' featuring Pharoahe Monch of the 'Gangster and a Gentleman' classic debut which still gets me high. The 'Time Is Money' perfect follow up and the 'Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentlemen)' sequel after the sophomore from the 'Master Of Ceremonies'. And then all the albums that came after like that one, collabo EP's like 'The Seven' with Talib Kweli and all The Lox ones off D-Block for this former Bad Boy like Diddy.
Now what ya gonna do? The Ghost is back like the spirit of the smoke artistic album cover that Rise's Against iconic musical artwork. Hands together as he prays like the King of LeBron and a championship cigar for victory, blowing smoke crowns around him. Float with him, because this album is classic hip-hop all the way down to the skits for this leather music that takes aim at R. Kelly with podcasters ("name one bad R. Kelly movie!" Erm...his home one). But "two guns up" the smoking spirit of this one feels like a breath of fresh air. In instrumental inspiration for this gangster soul music for the hardcore heads that still nod. If you liked his Lox big-three last Def Jam with the late, great DMX for the Ruff Ryder's 'Exodus', than this is your dog too. From the bark of this 'Time Traveller' taking it back to the good ole days, to the bite were we 'See Myself'. The beats are knocking like the Goodfella gangster references of a Godfather are bucking similar to the shots he delivers line for line until the competition draws one for his book of rhymes. "Even a seller is a buyer/Whoever says different is a motherf###### liar/Rule where you from your a motherf###### sire" P proclaims with Yemi Sauce's drizzling chorus that sings like Drizzy Drake. All as the two refuse to 'Fade Away' like the smoke. It continues on the piano 'Privilege' that plays like a Lox track of old days. "Mama said I was an angel, but the halo fell", the halfway house between gangster and gentlemen says as he let's the keys of Barry White play.
Dun-a-dun-a dun. "We don't do that snake s### even boas getting choked," he says for all the grass. This one after all these years is just a 'Hit Different' over stirring sax. "Inhale the love/Exhale the pain/No stress on the chest/More stress on the brain/Stress on the soul, but I know I'm ordained", he heavenly fathers, breathing easy with lyrical exercise. He brings Mrs. Farma herself for the big 'Only Spenders' who samples Michael K. Williams' Omar from 'The Wire' telling us, "money ain't go no owners, only spenders." 'On The Double' with Dyce Payne, Styles is trouble. But with Lavish Life he 'Stop(s) The Rain'. All before the competition is 'Scattered' like roaches. "I got bars and I'm serving drinks/I got plugs and I'm serving links," he raps turning the lights on as he adds, "stay thriving/yeah my third eyes open my n#### know we surviving/you can thrown the beat on my n#### know that we vibing/you can come and eat with the fam know that we driving/stay questing/what's the question/do you get less when you really gain your lessons/do you get more when you really love your blessings/do you turn gold when you really get to the essence." Introspective inspiration. Throwing the mic down like a gavel for 'Order In The Court' and its hip hop homage beat break, David R. Styles plays judge, jury and executioner on this epic. On 'Close To Me' and the" This is my rifle. This is my gun" sample Styles plays rifleman having fun in a Full Metal Jacket for the best track of this role call with a sublime soul sample too. Even without Jada, or a Silverback Gorilla, even in feature, this D-Block soldier still has an artillery of albums and crates of classics. Add this to the rack even without a plaque. This guy with one of the most unmistakable voices in rap like Method Man or a Q-Tip flava in ya ear is heading for the rafters with his own flowers. His place in the Hall of Fame is secure. Unlike 'Some' he warns us about in the penultimate storytelling track for you to tack. "Some kick it with you/Some will kick you when you're down." In the most unforgiving genre of music, hip hop still owes Styles P an apology. And time is still money. The G-Host in the shell is back in the future to collect and spook you like a phantom. And this is his opera. Don't ghost this one. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Time Traveller', 'Close To Me', 'See Myself'.
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