Rap Chronicles did a brief review of Soul Purpose..

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(translated from french)

Before even listening to the third album by ScholarMan I knew it was going to be heavy. What I did not know is that the album (suprendrait?) me on many points. Not particularly because of the lyrics in The X Files, I ripped them already or on the production on Candy Medicine is the same size but on the overall quality of the album that surpasses the output of the two older albums.

In terms of beats, there is a mixture of vintage, samples of blues, bass line, and some electronic experiments such as sirens, voices and other sounds which create a vibe that makes you want to mount the volume helmet.

In terms of lyrics, it’s hip-hop conscientious at once unique and fun.

If you like this album, you should go for a look at Candy Medicine. Pending the review of that here is the track list and the album in streaming.

http://tinyurl.com/pnrflp

Rating:

- By Quentin Huff

On Soul Purpose, when ScholarMan calls his experience and career a “journey”, it inspires me. Not because the image of a man embarking on a journey is automatically inspiring, but because you can hear his determination in his rhymes. His delivery is deliberate and somewhat painstaking, as if he enjoys the experience of uttering each syllable but feels a little sad that they have to leave his lips. It’s not an effortless flow, like a nimble freestyle, but it’s smart and methodical. You can tell he invested himself in the construction of his verses, and his work ethic is evident, as is his considerable love and affection for history, community spirit, and hip-hop culture. His previous albums, The Love Freedom Movement with partner in rhyme TrueBless and Candy Medicine, continually celebrate these themes. This is what inspires me about the Maryland emcee, and whenever I hear him I think, “Damn it, I need to work harder too!” But I also think it highlights some room for improvement.

Here’s the good stuff. Soul Purpose (I’m diggin’ the play on “soul” and “sole”, by the way) could be a companion piece to ScholarMan’s Candy Medicine, an album that found him branching out lyrically while further tightening his production skills. This time around, love and affection still rule the day, but in various forms: physical attraction (“No Questions Asked”, an interesting take on LL Cool J’s “Pink Cookies”), long term romance (“Keep the Love Alive”), familial bonds (“My First Seed”), and respect for “real hip-hop”. The latter category basically consists of all the other songs, with the notable exception of “Hood Stories, Vol. 2”, a solid storytelling exercise that provides a follow-up to a “Hood Stories” narrative on Candy Medicine.

ScholarMan reminds me of veteran emcee and beatsmith Large Professor—a compliment which I do not hand out lightly!—but his beats might steal the show from his flow. They’re jazzy and filled with well-chosen and intricately chopped samples, horn loops, and orchestral flourishes, without sacrificing his flair for ‘90s-style boom bap. It’s got a real chill vibe to it and, as far as vibes go, the album gets bonus points for depicting historical figures like Marcus Garvey, Charles Drew, and Kathleen Cleaver on its cover. Reading is fundamental, but History’s essential.

All of this is good, providing consistency and dependability in ScholarMan’s output, but I have the feeling he can do more and add even more depth to his craft by being less rigid in focus and delivery. Continuing to expand his versatility might be the answer, as songs that center around “being real” or providing “real hip-hop” continue to be a mainstay. The songs on Soul Purpose that deal with other topics provide a welcome change of pace, which suggests that an eclectic approach to subject matter could yield dividends. Personally, I like the “Hood Stories” installments enough to listen to an entire album of his detailed storytelling. That type of album might better showcase his wit and charisma in addition to his hard work. That might inspire me and enlighten me.

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Rating:

- By FullMetal

I had anticipated Soul Purpose landing in my mailbox, so when it came early, I was more than pleased. Some people make the mistake of expecting too much for an album, then writing a scathing review based on their own disappointment. That being said, ScholarMan’s “Soul Purpose” is nothing but a success, filled with incredible flow, lyricism, and a message that defies the ones conveyed by his contemporary counterparts.

From the very first cut, “Still Standing”, Scholar let’s us know that “Real Hip-Hop is what I’m demanding”, and spits verbal flame over a jazzy horn loop, and unique drums. He gets nasty on the second verse, showcasing his obvious skill, starting off with : “I rhyme with deep impact, complexity to syntax, I’m the General MC to Lieutenant”.

Through the CD, Scholar helps the listener forget that he’s primarily rhyming over beat loops, with his impactful lyricism, and overall style on the mic. (I’m sure it helps that he’s also very good at picking samples). Also, I feel he is adept at writing hooks that don’t take away from the track, as is the case with most Underground emcees that are all lyrics, and zero listenability. Speaking of listenability, SM gets a pure 9 on the production scale from a runthrough alone, as even the minimalist tracks are top notch ear candy.

One of these such tracks is “Dreams”, where Scholar pitch shift tempo loop and kicks are extremely infectious, and knowing that he refuses to slack with his pen game is always an added bonus. However, even this song takes a backseat to what I feel is the highlight of the album, “Hood Stories Volume 2″, A vivid short collection of street tales, presented to us in amazing fashion.

“Took the cash and ran, thug life, cash and vans, drove off a tinted van, quick like a minute man, Chris think he heard sirens, he tried to run out, see marks where they spun out, neighbors wouldn’t come out. Instead, if was the boys in blue, lookin for the dudes in black, Chris got on grey slacks, but regardless he’s fuckin black. “FREEZE”, get on the goddamn ground, one move I’ll lay ya down, nice and easy now…. They took Chris downtown.. wrong place wrong time the truth cannot be found”.

Another album Gem is “Correct-ION”, SM’s vicious call to arms for everyone to stand up for our liberty as people, and as human beings. The rise strings accompany his message admirably, as he gets real on the listener, spitting “Ready for the warfare, fightin for the welfare.. of my family, but theres limited healthcare”. Truth exposed through music is the best kind, and this is what Scholar does best.

Keeping a message in your music while not boring the average listener out of their skull, and not alienating the UG elitists is a tough task, and rarely is it accomplished, but I feel that “Soul Purpose” should be put into those ranks, as it is a nearly seamless blend of artistry, mixed with great production, and lyricism with depth. You really can’t ask for more.

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Rating:
ScholarMan “Soul Purpose” Album Review
- Nathaniel Long

I just knew that ScholarMan’s third album, “Soul Purpose,” was going to be dope. What I didn’t know was how much the album would surprise me. Now don’t get me wrong: It doesn’t surprise me that this album has dope lyrics, because ScholarMan’s 2006 release, “The X Files,” had dope lyrics. It doesn’t surprise me that this album has dope production, because ScholarMan’s 2007 release, “Candy Medicine,” had dope production. However, ScholarMan still managed to surprise me with “Soul Purpose.”

As the title hints, this album surpasses the emcee’s previous two releases in terms of basic purpose. While “Soul Purpose” demonstrates the profoundly conscious lyrics and head nodding production seen in Scholar’s other material, this release is a major improvement in terms of album direction and structure. “Soul Purpose” seems to have been created meticulously from start to finish, with each track literally flowing into the next, and with each direction literally evolving into a musical movement equipped with reason and purpose.

This evolution can be seen simply by listening to the album from beginning to end. ScholarMan opens up the album with three epic-style hype tracks that serve as a crescendo for what’s to come; tracks four through seven show off an intellectual lyrical prowess that few in hip-hop, mainstream or underground, can match today; tracks eight, nine and ten even out the content with themes of love and dedication; and the last three songs evolve into more melodic feel good tracks, with a smoothed out finale of inspiration and encouragement. When listening to them in order, it becomes clear that “Soul Purpose” aims to take the listener through a journey of sounds and topics intended to teach, motivate, and inspire.

Production

In terms of beats, ScholarMan’s “Soul Purpose” is a great accomplishment. The score blends elements of vintage ScholarMan production, defined by accelerated blues samples, subtle bass lines and boom bap influenced backdrops, with newer electronic experimentation, such as computerized horns, strings, keys and woodwind sounds that create a vibe I can only describe as futuristically organic.

Several tracks strategically switched up the beat in mid-song – but did this so cleanly that it often became difficult to realize. Last One Standing, Tell Me, and Dreams all shift the production during the second verse as if ScholarMan created two beats to each song and couldn’t decide on just one. Then, following the second verse, each track merges back to the initial beat in one seemingly effortless motion. This effect creates an enjoyable change for the listener.

Lyrics

In terms of lyrics, ScholarMan’s “Soul Purpose” is yet another example of conscious hip-hop that is both unique and pleasant to the ear. Correct-ION contains one verse extending over two minutes in length that would be quotable if it wasn’t so long. Hood Stories Vol. 2 is a continuation of an ongoing ScholarMan series – this one telling the tragic story of a young man forced to take the wrap for a burglary-homicide he witnessed as an innocent bystander.

Many songs on this album take a positive lyrical stance. Cool Off, Fly and Claim Heavens all contain heavily motivational subject matter that pushes a feel good vibe to the listener. In Dreams, ScholarMan drops a verse advocating unity and action:

I’m dreaming of a better world my child can live in/
Where it’s safe to walk the streets – not a deadly decision/
A system for the people and not for the paper/
I’m talking real leaders, not these known fakers/
Real solutions at real debates/
Execute put ‘em all in place/
No matter what your race, skin tone or your state/
We all got a birth, indeed a death date/
We wake to the same sun, sleep to the same moon/
A greater change gon’ come, yes it’s real soon/

Other tracks stress love and affection. No Questions Asked and Keep The Love Alive are heartfelt love songs stressing the importance of family, relationships and commitment. My favorite track of this series is My First Seed, ScholarMan’s ode to his daughter. The following verse expresses the emcee’s rendition of how having children can change one’s perspective on life:

When you were born I became a new man/
Adjusted my plans/
Put a hold to worldly demands/
Every time I look into your eyes/
I see the reasons why/
I was put on this Earth – you are my sweetie pie/
You are my sunshine/
My special yum-yum/
A better man – you are helping me become one/
A stubborn fool I was before you came into/
My little life you’re the reason I can make it through/
You are my motivation, you are my lifeline/
The blood in my veins, crucial pipeline/

Yup – ScholarMan has done it again. “Soul Purpose” is an exceptional underground release that somehow blends conscious lyrical reality with a positive soulful vibe – yet doesn’t come off as being preachy or elitist. If you’re a fan of what the masses like to call “real hip-hop,” this album is a perfect example of it. Pick up copy immediately and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Peace.

Related:

If you liked this album, you should definitely check out ScholarMan “Candy Medicine”. In addition, you’ll probably digg other revolutionary-minded emcees, including X-Clan “Return From Mecca”, Public Enemy “How You Sell Soul To A Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul”, and The Coup “Pick A Bigger Weapon”.

Album Track Listing:

1. Last One Standing
2. My Place, My Taste
3. 1 Man, 1 Soul Purpose
4. Tell Me
5. Dreams
6. Correct-ION
7. Hood Stories Vol. 2
8. No Questions Asked (Pink Cookies 2008) feat. TrueBless
9. Keep The Love Alive
10. My First Seed
11. Cool Off
12. Fly
13. Claim Heavens

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Lead single “1 Man, 1 Soul Purpose” from new album “Soul Purpose.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Soganic Music
3540 Crain Hwy #381
Bowie, MD 20716
1.301.332.2100
www.soganicmusic.com | www.scholarman.com

SCHOLARMAN DROPS SOUL PURPOSE, FIRST ALBUM ON NEW LABEL

Bowie, MD (Dec 6, 2007) – It is a joyous occasion for ScholarMan and for his supporters alike. After releasing Candy Medicine earlier this year, producing label mate TrueBless’ Mission ISpossible, and releasing various articles and reviews through his official site as well as at HipHopLinguistics.com, ScholarMan has been able to not only create a new album, but balance the efforts in transitioning his former record label Else Where? Entertainment into the new SoGanic Music.

Due to legal ramifications, Else Where? Entertainment is no more. Taking the torch and moving on is Soganic Music, a newly formed independent record label with the same vision and the same great hip-hop music that many experienced before. Soganic is a combination of “soulful” and “organic;” the slogan being “Soulfully Organic,” music that reaches deep into the root of its listener thus watering the soul, so that a better world can blossom. Supporters of previous Else Where? Entertainment projects are guaranteed to enjoy future products under the new label beginning in 2008!

As for ScholarMan’s latest, Soul Purpose, what better way to describe this album than to simply quote a couple paragraphs from a recent ScholarMan article titled What’s Your Purpose?, one of the inspirations for the album:
No matter what faith you follow, every person’s existence is because of a greater purpose assigned to that individual. For some people their purpose may be small, to others extremely large, regardless we were born to do something positive to contribute to the great mass of energy this world generates. As a writer, I contribute ideas on paper, as an emcee I contribute my life experiences through music and as a producer I contribute various emotions through rhythm. What is your purpose?

Since hip-hop runs through my veins just as naturally as the blood that keeps me alive, it is only correct to use the state of hip-hop to describe my point. Point being, many people who represent this culture are doing so in vain. Many artists are degrading not only themselves, but also their heritage as well as the art form with much of the music presented. Over the past twenty years, the hip-hop I love has drastically declined where one could feel alienated by simply listening to the radio today.

Soul Purpose according to ScholarMan is “simply good hip-hop music that encourages people to define their purpose and work towards the necessary goals that flow parallel with this process.” With the underground success of Candy Medicine, ScholarMan wanted to ensure that his message on Soul Purpose is just as clear as the releases before it but with an improved sound and overall album structure. “Many artists get complacent with their craft, that’s not my style. I will always give you 100% of me but with improvements, and more innovation with every album,” ScholarMan states.

Soulful beats, intelligent lyrics, this is destined to be another classic to add to your collection. Look for Soul Purpose sometime in January of 2008 released on Soganic Music/ScholarMan Music featuring over 10 self-produced tracks and an appearance by label mate TrueBless. For booking, advanced copies of the album or interviews please contact Cameron Schmidt @ cameroncschmidt@gmail.com New Soganic Music website coming soon!

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