Underground, Innovative, Jazz-fused, Dark, Canadian Hip-Hop/Rap music

21 MP3 Songs
HIP-HOP/RAP: Hip Hop, JAZZ: Free Jazz

Details:
PAUL BORCHERT - MOREGOATTHANGOOSE.COM

IMAGINATIONS TREETRUNK PRESENTS AALO GUHA - BRANCHING FURTHER

In the wake of movies like "Get Rich or Die Trying" rap music has left a sour taste in my mouth. It seems as if the music industry has turned a once legitimate art form into the commercialization and glorification of arrogance, violence and homophobia. After receiving Imaginations Treetrunk's latest release, Aalo Guha's Branching Further my love for the genre has been renewed. The East Vancouver collective is made up of a number of talented DJ's and MC's including Chadio, Tapwater, Airease Aram, and Kaboom.

The crew stays true to who they are rapping about the topics and areas they are familiar with including Granville Island, the rainy weather of the west coast, and being broke. It is clear that the guys and gals in Imaginations Treetrunk are creating music because its what they love to do, on the track "Broke Comfy", Tapwater and Chadio rhyme about having little money to do anything, but conclude by staying "I don't rap for money", proving that it's not "all about the Benjamins" in the rap game.

Branching Further, the follow up recording to the groups' 2004 release Branching Out features new tracks as well as remixes of songs that appeared on the group's debut release. The album packs the most bang for your buck, weighing in at just over 73minutes and 21 songs.

Some of the most notable track on the album includes Chadio's opener "Fucked on Road Dead", which makes use of trumpet samples and slick rhymes reminiscent of MC Sage Francis. "Ol Lady Love Songs Remix" also features horn backgrounds paired with organic drum rhythms and guest stars prominent Vancouver rapper, Josh Martinez.

In my opinion the sky is the limit for this group of talented young musicians. If you are looking for something to renew your faith in rap music I suggest getting your hands on a copy of Branching Further. Imaginations Treetrunk are also making plans to tour the Canadian Prairies in the near future, definitely something to watch out for.

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Imaginations Treetrunk & Aalo Guha
Branching Further
By Thomas Quinlan

Branching Further is the follow-up to Imaginations Treetrunkâs Branching Out, which was the first collaborative compilation from this BC crew whose most visible members include Ink Operatedâs Kaboom and beat maker Aalo Guha. The sophomore compilation comes off as a more fully-conceived and complete collaborative effort with the shifting line-up from song to song coming off as natural while Aalo Guhaâs chilled, laidback beats unify the album with a consistent sound. At times, Branching Further sounds like it could be one long song with various beat changes throughout, which is probably reinforced by the five tracks in a row by fringe members Tapwater & Airease Aram very early in the album, and which could have been made into their own very good EP if combined with the three other tracks throughout that feature either Tapwater or Airease Aram. Also collaborating on this project are Kunga 219 (of the Goods), Josh Martinez, and Kaboomâs fellow Ink Operated members Epedemic and DJ Wundrkut, the latter throwing down a turntablist track. Branching Further is a great headphone album that would also serve as a good soundtrack for hanging with the homies. (Independent)

People who are interested in Atmosphere Madlib Josh Martinez should consider this download.