Erick Sermon, an oldhead in the game has recently released his fourth solo effort, Chilltown, New York so without further ado lets jump into the LP and give it a GeoClan globe rating.

On the album's first track "Home" Erick gives you the rundown on what to expect on this album and why he's one of the legends of the Rap game.  

Wit Ee's uses the African drum and a Biz Markie sample to highlight Sermon's ability to flow with ease (henceforth the track's name).  

The first single of the Chilltown, New York is "Relentless", a statement song with a heavy beat full of cymbals and thump.   Erick tells people why EPMD isn't back together now and how Missy Elliot is right about the creativity of the game being gone.   He also talks about why he deserves the respect of all who call themselves a Hip Hop artist and/or fan.

The skit "Jackin' For Rhymes" where a rap bandit sticks up a group of people for their 16 bars and everything else is hot and it leads into "Street Hop" a super hot track using Nas' sample from "Made You Look" and a nice sounding verse by newcomer Tre.   Oh, I forgot to mention that Redman is one the track and of course he gets gutter quick than he can roll a joint.  

Talib Kweli and newcomer Whip Montez joins Erick Sermon in the scorcher "Chillin" done by the Green Eyed Bandit himself.   Ms. Montez is Sermon's new protZgZ and the Dominican Brooklynite does her thing on the track explain her place in the Def Squad.   Kweli, of course does his damn thing saying things like: "staying cooler than a Minnesota winter".  

New Def Squad member Sy Scott gets his chance to shine from the beginning in "Like Me".   Scott uses nice nouns and verbs in his verse and doesn't talk about the same stuff a lot of young MCs do like clothes and ice.   Sermon comes on the track and shows his experience in the booth over a simple beat perfect for flowing.   Khari also a newcomer also spits and gives you a little glimpse of the future.

"Matrix" the skit leads into the next track "God Sent", a track where Erick goes for dolo and explains once again how he has gone strong for over 15 years.   Erick's versatility is one of his strong suites along with his production skills.   He can be his best client although Redman is a close second.

"I'm Not Him" uses a sped up sample and talks about cases of mistaken identity.   Erick does his thing once again giving history lessons to all who will listen.   The beat is reminiscent of all that has made Erick one of Rap's most sought producers.

"MC One Bar" is a skit in which a rapper talks about all the producers he has and only spit one bar.   It's about those rappers who depend on banging beats but can't flow. The skit goes right into the second of the album, "Feel It" featuring Sy Scott and a Sean Paul sample to set of the already hot track for the clubs.   Erick talks about partying and having a good time and Scott shows his comfort level on the mic.  

"Future Thug" is a change up from the regular Erick Sermon sound. This track is more down south and features a new artist, 11/29 and an old regular in Redman.   11/29 reminds you of Slimm Calhoun from the Dungeon Family click and sounds like a nice addition from the south.   Redman shows why no beat can make him look like Harold Miner on the mic: inadequate and garbage!   Erick reminds people that he was one of if not the first people to grab a crib in ATL and how he can get dirty too.

"Do You Know" reminds you of "Do What Ya Feel" from Redman's Muddy Waters LP, and Erick talks about the streets and what we all need to look out for and also appreciate.   Erick tells people to wake up and realize the situations they are in and around and make good decisions.

Keith Murray finally makes an appearance on the album joining Sy Scott on "Listen", a cut for the clubs and not about how much money they spend in the club.   Murray does the chorus and also spits saying stuff like: This shit's so hot you could cook an egg on it so I sunny side up, butter toast my opponents.  

"Hip Hop" is a short skit in which a man plays the role of Hip Hop the culture and lets the people know that this isn't about the quick buck it's about longevity.   It leads into "Can U Hear Me Now" a hot track about rappers and the fact that you can't get play unless you use corny punchline or cadences to hook the nontraditional listeners.   Erick puts those rappers who use lines like rat, bat and sat in a row, telling them to step their game up.

Overall this album is hot! Erick Sermon does all the production and also comes with a message: I deserve my damn respect for being a pioneer in the game. Would we rather see him with EPMD? Sure we would but he proves that beats and lyrics still matter and of course his squad is hot as well which is a big plus especially since he recruited all of them.   If you like beats and can appreciate Hip Hop and his place in the game this album is a nice cop. 

I'll give the LP 4 globes, the only downside being the length of the songs.

Any questions, comments, suggestions email Clayton Ruley at clayton@geoclan.com.