Respecta.is - The Ultimate Hip Hop Portal

It would be an over simplification to say Somobe is next to carry the title of great Producer/MC tandem. Refusing to use samples, Roland Llapitan loops are as smooth as they are original. Setting the mood for reflection, Jonathan Owens lyrics are haunting and real. Sometimes packing the swagger of Jay-Z or the verbal manipulation of Kweli, Owens flow is pure gold. Try to think of a time when an MC spoke about the challenges of growing up in a house falling apart without playing the role of vengeful martyr or the consequences of drinking too much that don t end up in sleeping with someone that you regret. If we consider truly great communication to be that which doesn t obstruct reality, Somobe s debut isn t just a success; it is an instant classic. Not forcing positive vibes but providing honest and real observations that include suggestions for change. Long Days and We Need a Love Song show just how comprehensive, daring, and focused this impressive tandem is.
JIVE Magazine Rating: 5 out of 5

No catchy gimmicks, no special effects, dope beats, and dope rhymes. The group consists of two cats from Vegas, Jon D (the lyricist), and Bob J, a bass player who also constructs the beats with Jon D. As for the beats....they're amazing. Somobe s instrumentals have a laid back jazz feel, WITH NO SAMPLES. Yea, you heard me right, while most big name producers pull off average instrumentals by using something someone else already made, Somobe, or better yet, the Hooligans (the name the Vegas duo go by when producing) create great instrumentals completely from scratch. Jon d says anything that even sounds like a sample was created with the intention of sounding that way by the Hooligans. To me, the beats to Somobe s debut album The Great Communication are competing with anything you hear anywhere else, and destroying most of it. Me, I m a lyrics type of dude. I love dope instrumentals, but if you have dope instrumentals and whack lyrics....I can t really listen for long. Luckily, Jon D brings it lyrically. It s no wonder the group decided to include the lyrics to the songs on their MySpace page. As I listened to an advance copy of The Great Communication I tried remembering lines Jon D spits, but every time I find one that stands out, I end up forgetting it because he kicks another one. Sometimes it seems Jon comes up with some of the cleverest stuff, other times, it seems as if he goes outside, and his pen traces life on paper in the form of rhymes. Doubt me? Check the MySpace fam, the track Building is what emceeing is about. Jon doesn t go to heavy on the punch lines and they don t come off forced, yet they definitely connect. The flow is on beat and certainly on point, and the lyrics aren t realistic, they re just plain REAL. This was the first track I heard, and I was instantly hooked. (c) Brillyance