Saturday, February 21, 2009

So Fresh and SoCal

Johnson and Jonson are emcee Blu and under-the-radar producer Mainframe. They're also one of the greatest acts to hit the hip/hop scene in the past year. The youngsters from Long Beach, California released their self-titled debut last September and are bringing some seriously prolific stuff to the table. Mainframe's beats are easy and laid-back while Blu's flow is steady and determined. Blu's voice has a tone that's soft like Shwayze with lyrics worthy of comparisons to Cool Kids, and even to bigger guys like Common. "J&J" is a hard-hitting, lyrical introduction to J&J, while "Bout it Bout it" throws Blu's smooth lyrics over a spanish guitar, a trumpet, and a stripped down beat - an arrangement that needs to be heard to be understood. "Wow" is my personal favorite, featuring one of the coolest vocal samples harmonizing with old school guitar licks and a soft bongo drum. Assemble some good friends, a sunny day, a bowl packed to the brim (with um... Lucky Charms...or soup...or something), and enjoy J&J the way they're meant to be heard.

WOW - Johnson and Jonson

J&J - Johnson and Jonson

Bout it Bout it - Johnson and Jonson