Blue Scholars – Bayani

Socially Conscious Jazzy Hip-Hop. Third socially conscious and politically informed release by Seattle duo Geologic (rhymes) and Sabzi (beats). Steady hip hop beats drive the album with the occasional pop-radio track (Track 4). Like two previous albums, sounds like hanging out with friends on a nice day talking about our society and respecting where you’re from—uplifting. Listening to the Blue Scholars is like hanging out in “Hip-Hop Cheers.” All tracks good, gets mellower as the album goes on.

FCC: 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14

1. A minute long Baya’i Healing chant. Good intro directly into track 2.
**2: Steady smooth beat with rolling rhymes. Sounds like hanging out on the corner.
3. FCC: (“fuck” at 0:43)-- Great track, catchy hook and deep lyrics. Medium pace.
***4. The “single” from the album—catchy, up-tempo track with big brass old jazz sound. And no, the CD is not skipping on the chorus, that’s how it is.
**5. More smooth catchy mid-tempo rhymes over jazzy beats. Self-Reflective.
*6. FCC: (mild language, “shit” in hook) “A love song for everybody”—Long, meandering track with Geologic saying what’s on his mind.
**7. Socio-Political track with catchy beat and the usual lyrics (not a bad thing).
8. FCC: (“shit”) Slower jam with soulful overtones.
*9. FCC: (“shit”) Piano and flute hooks with metallic beats and more socio-political rhymes.
10. Contemplative instrumental track leads into next song.
11. Picks up instrumental beat, but not necessary to play both. Contemplative lyrics and beats.
12. FCC: (“shit) Slow beats, soul feel, reflecting on Seattle and society on the whole.
13. Track about the WTO Riots in ’99. Steady and drawn out.
14. FCC: (“fuck” around 3:00) Another smooth reflective track.
15. Final smooth, piano, reflective track. Really sounds like the last track on an album.

Reviewed by: Jon Horowitz (Witz)