(Photos By FuzeTheMC.Com)
One Black Man: The Audacity of Soul (listen/download)
Readers got a taste of what Fuze The MC was capable of when he debuted on the site via his video, “Angel In A Blue Dress.” A while back he dropped a full length album titled, One Black Man: The Audacity of Soul. So figured it would be nice to share with readers to give them a fuller understanding of what the Georgia emcee can do. And he definitely gets it in. He describes the LP as follows: “This project is part soul-searching, part reflection, and part just fun.” On that note, let’s dig into the album and check out a few highlights.
“Intro (Trouble Of The World)”
Introductions aren’t usually ideal for reviews but this particular one is very strong. It opens with a clip of Mahalia Jackson singing “Trouble Of The World.” From there, the production kicks in. The production is fresh. It consists of smooth musical elements, a soulful rhythm, and a powerful vibe. There is no hook present, just the occasional appearance of Mahalia’s vocals. The lyrical content is dope. Fuze The MC exhibits a perfected flow, inventive wordplay, and five star rhymes. He does an excellent job of setting the tone for the rest of the project. Noteworthy lines include: “Welcome to the main event. The revival of Black. We got Malcolm, Martin Luther, and Sojourner in the back. Mahalia on the vocals. Louis on the sax. I rarely did it local if you knew me from the rap game. Lames try to run it. They crumble and then they crack. I never stumble. I rarely fumble. My stats is unprecedented.” Fuze was firing on all cylinders right out of the gate on this one. Overall, this was a fierce track and a huge way to kick off the album.
“Whip Music”
The production here is hot. It is made up of a deep bass, mid-tempo pace, and a cool street vibe. The hook is engaging. The delivery is unique and the lyrics are catchy. However, it is a little hard to understand. The vocals are a little too soft when compared with the beat. If turned up a notch or two, they would be just right. The verses are slick. Fuze dishes out a magnetic flow, cunning wordplay, and champion rhymes. He turned up his charisma full throttle and just knocked it out of the park. A few lines worth mentioning are: “Who you know that got a swagger like me? With some 511 jeans and a NoBS ring. It’s just me F-u-z. Please don’t forget that e. And I’m bringing it all back while still making history. That’s ironic, I’m iconic. You’re a ratchet. That’s bubonic. (…) Got a problem, I will solve it. That’s my word and that’s my promise. I’m not cocky, I’m not pompous, b–ch I’m just being honest.” So much personality in those bars right there. In the end, this track is a banger.
“Moonlight” F/ Kyle Jamal
The production here is of high quality. The assertive piano, slight knock, and sanguine vibe are a thrill for the ears. The hook is faultless. The vocals are fervent, the rapped portion blends in nicely, and the lyrics are indicative. The verses are great. Fuze offers up an appetizing flow and exceptional rhymes. He discusses the dynamics of his new found relationship in an artistic fashion. He spits: “You the type to play the game. Steal my name and add a Mrs. Wait. Hold up, keep it pimping. Must stay focused on these riches. Can’t get caught up in these women cause they just might catch you slipping. But when you talk, it’s like I listen. And you know to hold me close every time I’m feeling distant.” Very romantic theme being played up in those lines. All in all, this was a favorable record and a nice change of pace from the previous tracks.
“The Vent”
This track is completely different from the rest of the album as it is a totally a-capella piece. So it comes off as more spoken word than traditional rhyming. But it’s still very majestic. Fuze has a commanding delivery and philosophical rhymes. He touches base on a myriad of topics such as: the ills of fast food, women, real vs. mainstream music, and more. A couple of high points from the piece are: “Nor focused on the b–ches. And excuse the word b–ches. But it’s appropriate if you listen. I’m focused on family, truth, and love. I praise God. I praise women. Very little above. So when I said b–ches you probably paused. But it’s my understanding is that women are reflections of God. And I’m like 97.3% sure that God ain’t a dog. So to praise b–ches in my songs would just be odd.” One can not deny the magnitude of those words. Just an incredible display of verbalism. As a whole, this is the most outstanding song on the album. Also, it is a prime example of Fuze’s versatility and talents.
**My Two Cents: One Black Man: The Audacity of Soul ranks as one of the top indie/underground albums to drop this year period. The production is winning on every track and the content is high-caliber. Fuze really gave his all on this project. Any fan of REAL Hip-Hop will be a fan of this LP. But please take the time to listen and confirm for yourselves though. The above visuals are for another song off of the album titled, “Wager.” It is a brief quality number with worthwhile content. Definitely worth experiencing as well. Show Fuze some love on Twitter and his website too. -MinM
