Sound Check Music Blog

Beverly Fre$h–a hip-hop artist, musician, and connoisseur of sound–is an up and coming must have out of Detroit, Mich., who represents sUPERIORbelly records. Fre$h gave us the opportunity to review his debut masterpiece, titled Bed, and we were very pleased to discover that there is a current rapper willing to utilize the basics of the craft.

Present day hip-hop puppets, at least in popular arenas, generally recreate each others sounds–via cookie-cutter samples, remixes, and computer generated compositions that have been reproduced by young kids who know the basics of GarageBand–resulting in, well rubbish.

Not Fre$h. He gets it. With his tracks like “Dead Millionaire” and “Liquor & Churches (feat. Skrapz),” he brings a rejuvenated sound back to the forefront that was completely lost about the time Ja Rule hit the scene. Don’t get me wrong, Ja Rule still belongs on teenage walls.

Bed was produced and recorded by DIAL81, who is also featured on the tracks titled “You Don’t Knowa’ and “Hee Bee Geee Bees.” Making his own dreams come true, Beverly also worked with one of his all time favorite rappers–NatureBoy Jim Kelly, formally Nosaj of New Kingdom–on the track “What the Fuck.”

But see, we are talking about talent here. Fre$h is a perverse concoction of sound tannins that are indigenous to that of the Beastie Boys, Wu-Tang Clan, and Doug E. Fresh; shaken, poured and then served with a Beck garnish to give a sophisticated layer of noise knowledge.

Dead Millionaire

The album launches and the crackling sounds of a stuffy vinyl ignite, coupled with piano jubilees. Moments later you are greeted with the confident and level vocals of Beverly Fre$h. Throughout this track he gives clear examples of the trials and tribulations he faces trying to better his life and/or his hip-hop career. Midway through the song he shares one line antics that could, or could not, be relevant. Take a listen.
DEAD MILLIONAIRE by BEVERLY FRE$H

Animal Skin

This track begins with drums and a tambourine that are intended to build the foundation for a slow and steady delivery of couplets. the rhymes seem to linger around a sense of confidence he has for his abilities. The “hater” motif seems to be rampant in this one. In a beginning to end album listen, this song coupled well with “Dead Millionaire.”
ANIMAL SKIN by BEVERLY FRE$H
Half A Haircut

My favorite track title and certainly my favorite track, this one sends you on a futuristic head-bob. I have not the slightest clue what the narrative is here (listened to this one enough times to where my opinion of the song was starting to be influenced), but the cartoony sounds of early Beck are murmured resulting in just good fun.

You Don’t Know (Featuring DIAL81)

DIAL81 shows up midway through this in-your-face basstastic joint where he puts down more than impressive flowetry. As you navigate your way through, you will quickly find out that you are hearing similar stereophonic pleasures that were found in “Dead Millionaire.”

Tapedeck

Although this is probably my least favorite on the album, it certainly supports my Wu-Tang reference from earlier. Ghostface Killah would be partial for sure. I would also point out that the sounds of The Gorillaz are lingering. I dare say so because of their literal use of laughs and exuberance.

My Baby Likes Gas

This track is an a cappella anthem that discusses Fre$h’s recreational buzz preferences…. ok this is a quick poetry recite about getting funked up.

How Ya Do

This one was quite pleasing to the audible pallet actually. It has been a long time sense I have heard the chaotic sounds of what listened to be a grumpy electronic synthesizer, assuming that was an intention… This one creeps into the alternative sides of hip-hop much like that of The Roots. I see a viral dance craze in this ones future….. just saying.

Black Ghost

This one opens up with bass pops that echo the sounds of Outkast’s “So Fresh and So Clean.” Then moments later he hits you with the lyrical boom. This one seems to meandor in the religious arena. Unsure of its direction, I would guess that it is a self-reflection of death and afterlife. This one will get you thinking.

Liquor & Churches (Feat. Skrapz)

Probably my second favorite. In the beginning you get a little of the anger posed by DMX in his song “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” as the line “talk is cheap mother fucker” vibrates off stereo walls. This is just a damn good song. Not only am I a big fan of the simple ying-&-yang mood staged by the title, I quickly took a liking to the sounds of Skrapz who fits very nicely into this whole project. They knew what they were doing when they collaborated. This is one you throw on mid-evening when you need that extra boost to finish what you started.

What The Fuck (Feat. NatureBoy Jim Kelly)

Throwback is the only term that comes to mind for this track. NatureBoy has a similar flow to that of Cee-Lo (back in his Goodie Mob days) and I cannot get enough. The sound is confusingly appropriate. It is on the verge of an all out collapse, but then Fre$h reassembles the track with his clear and candid rhymes. You won’t leave this one wondering “What The Fuck?”

Hee Bee Geee Bees (Feat. DIAL81)

This is a clever one. The simple, stripped down music accompaniment in this one surprisingly serves up flavor that leaks from every side of each word. The lyrics here lay down the art of learning from experience. This one, for me, got a bit lost when put in perspective with the other tracks.

O When The Dog Barks

This one did leave me with a little bit of the WTF? It seemed to be a reckless closure to an all around successful album. Perhaps this is intended more for the artist than the audience. I am all for risk and art, so my critique of this track would probably prove to be more than invalid.

Having the opportunity to review this album was an absolute pleasure. Not often do I find personal use for album submissions, but this one went straight to my iPod. The album drops next month. If you want more information about the artist/album/performances visit here.

Beverly Fre$h Live at Check Point Charlie