Review – RedCloud ‘Traveling Circus’

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Finally… after debuting on the Fashion Expo ‘Round One: Tru Hip-Hop’ compilation project three years ago, and following up with the solo debut of ‘Is This Thing On?’, Syntax Records Recording artist RedCloud has satisfied with his sophomore release in ‘Traveling Circus.’ Featuring guest spots from Braille of Lightheaded, Kaitlyn Cassels of Sackcloth Fashion and Sherwin Gardner, among others. The LP is produced almost entirely by Syntax head man Rocdomz.

The LP begins with the title track, in which RedCloud drops three random verses in company with a hook saying nothing courtesy of Sam Hart. It’s an impressionable track, but for the leadoff cut, it felt out of place. Sackcloth Fashion’s Kaitlyn Cassels lends her vocal talents on “My Way,” featuring acoustic strings and piano harmonies over life stories and convictions from the emcee, making a memorable cut. Rocdomz brings his trademark synth sounds on “Don’t Wear It Out,” accompanied by thick piano chords and a smooth bassline RedCloud begs the question… “who’s the illest of the illest that you feelin’ now?… RedCloud homie, that’s my name don’t wear it out.” Sherwin Gardner and Christafari lend a hand on “Neva Letcha Go.” This is a fresh change from the overall sound of the LP, with handclaps, shakers, and drums all over the tracks soothing vocals. RedCloud lets out some frustration on “Chit Chat” stating… “were tired of your chit chat, wack rappers need to get slapped,” over a mellowed vocal sample with kicks and snares, making for a nice listen. Rocdomz lends another well-crafted track in “War Party.” Accompanied by fresh cuts, RedCloud asks listeners… “war, what is it good for?” “Broken Jaw” combines Braille and RedCloud coming correct and hard-nosed over a track with a raw message in “times are desperate, we can’t hold back, we must strike mics, He holds them in attack, to live out what we say or get out the game, cause without conviction all these verses are lame… times are desperate, times running out but we gon’ speak truth even with your gun in our mouth.” A serious message, and solid verses from both of the emcees, making for one of the most complete and fulfilling tracks on the LP.

‘Traveling Circus’ is an honest effort from the indigenous emcee RedCloud. The production gets a little repetitive after numerous listens, and you can usually tell without looking at the credits if it’s a Rocdomz beat or not. ‘Traveling Circus’ offers a wide variety of entertaining musical tastes and flows and at times you may grow tired of RedCloud’s repetitive vocal patterns but that doesn’t take away from the quality of his sophomore release. ‘Traveling Circus,’ is a creative and refreshing serving from one of the most respected emcees in the hip-hop community.

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Tracklist:

1. The Ringmaster
2. Traveling Circus (feat. Sam Hart)
3. My Way (feat. Sackcloth Fashion)
4. The Coming (feat. Def Shepard)
5. 8000 RPMs
6. Bonifide Xtreme
7. Don’t Wear It Out
8. Never Let You Go (feat. Sherwin Gardner, Christafari)
9. Battlestar Galactic
10. Chit Chat
11. War Party
12. Put It On
13. Night Owls
14. Broken Jaw (feat. Braille)
15. Indigenous Angel