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Sidewalk Chalk: Leaves (Album Review)

Hip-hop bands in 2014 are few and far between. Today, the focus relies primarily on the producer and the rapper, both of whom (generally) use but a few, if any instruments to create their music. Thus when an act like Sidewalk Chalk rolls in and creates a pleasantly polished record utilizing a band comprised of an emcee, vocalist, keyboardist, bassist, drummer, trumpeter, trombonist and tap-dancer, it’s only right to take notice. Undeniably stemming from the roots of the legendary Soulquarians, Sidewalk Chalk express their talents by producing a captivating sonic crossroads between jazz, soul and hip-hop on their sophomore effort Leaves.

The Chicago band grounds themselves with a very organic sound that lends its appeal to the vibrant melodies and simple harmonies contributed by the members of the group. Most hip-hop instrumentals find their relevance and drawing power in their ability to repeat a musical phrase over and over. In this, Sidewalk Chalk keeps harmonies and certain aspects of their music very hip-hop; repeating lines both vocally and musically, creating beats that are very much hip-hop oriented and keeping a certain familiarity present through the majority of the songs are the main ways Leaves is vibrant, yet comfortably cool and simple.

The jazz presence is felt strongly on this album. The group makes an effort to fully incorporate the horns into each and every track as they usually support the background harmonies and sometimes are the harmonies. You can’t go a track without hearing their honey-like ambiance smoothing out the background auras. The drummer also adds a bit of jazzy, quasi-improvisational rhythms to the beats to add a bit more embellishment to otherwise standard instrumentals. The soul music inspiration fully embodies its undertones through that of vocalist Maggie Vagle. Her powerful, mid-toned vocals add depth to each track and definitely glitter songs like “Grocery List,” “Nashville,” “C.B.R.” and others with a brilliance hardly matched in most hip-hop bands today.

Emcee Rico Sisney details the strong elements of change, growth and progression that are already underlined by the musical movements on Leaves. Each song features a bit of introspection, reflection and self-empowerment through spirited verses that work off the prowess of Maggie Vagle’s vocals. There are also a fair share of verses dedicated to love story narratives invoking a more sensual vibe to the tracks that feature said narratives. As Black Thought is to The Roots, Rico Sisney is to Sidewalk Chalk, and although their styles are notably different, each give the group that final piece to create a remarkable act.

Be it the driving force of the drums, the soul-reaching tones of Maggie Vagle’s voice, the mature lyrical dexterity of Rico Sisney, or the well-balanced support of the other instrumentalists, Leaves lends itself to be quite the multi textured, sensational record. More is offered up musically in the hour that this album lasts than virtually any other hip-hop record released in the last few years. Sidewalk Chalk has mastered an artistry naturally expressed through passionate instrumentation, meaningful lyricism and full-bodied tracks (you won’t find any filler on Leaves). Needless to say, this is a fantastic album and is sure to ease listeners’ craving for pure, unyielding authentic music overflowing with the best of the worlds of soul, jazz and hip-hop.

9/10

Tracklisting:

1) Grocery List
2) Deciduous
3) Luggage (feat. Sam Trump)
4) To Love You
5) Nashville
6) Mary the Beautiful
7) Leaves
8) There She Goes
9) Memory’s Plea
10) C.B.R.
11) Fearless Messenger
12) Small Voice (feat. JC Brooks)
13) Tommy & Donna

***Notable Mentions:

ScHoolboy Q: Oxymoron
Stat Quo: ATLA: All This Life Allows, Vol. 1
Prodigy & Alchemist: Albert Einstein: P=MC2 (Bonus EP)

Tags : Sidewalk Chalk
Stone

The author Stone

Stone is a hip-hop enthusiast residing in NJ/PA. As an aspiring hip-hop producer, Stone studies communications and shares his passion for music by letting the world in on the wonderful world of hip-hop.