Review: "Luke 9:5" Album by Ezza of Choom Gang
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Niagara Falls’ own Ezza of Choom Gang delivers an ancient, timeless vision with the soulful hip-hop of “Luke 9:5”. Atmosphere is of the essence for there is a lot to love within the exquisite sonic universe he creates. For someone who grew up with this style of rap, there is a lot of comfort here. Ezza’s vocals have a loveliness to them full of compassion. Lyrics too have that kindness to them. In many ways it does harken back to the early 90s from the dusty hits of the drums to the laid-back, contemplative flow that runs through the entirety of the album.
There is a hazy, dazed quality to the entirety of the thing. Production-wise it has a woozy atmosphere to it that draws from Tyler, the Creator’s rather colorful compositions. Jazz, hip-hop, R&B, pop, and more enter into the fray making the sound kaleidoscopic. On the other side of things, Ezza’s cadence feels reminiscent of Biggie Smalls’ cleverness, his uncanny ability to delve right into the very heart of a people. Going further on out, references to late 90s rock emerges within a few of the verses helping to give the songs a rather soothing, reassuring quality.
“St. Catharines (Sayzee)” opens up with true poetry, for the exploration of money and materialism feels truly impassioned. Funky breaks anchor the elastic grooves of “Delta Bingo”. Elegant to a tee “Obie” has a classic A Tribe Called Quest vibe to it. The sample treatment of “Misguided”, with Humble Hab, features a gauzy beauty. On “Spins”, feat. Yung Next, there is a swagger, a confidence that feels gorgeous.
Tempos get melted on “Interlude 2”, feat. chuck Nyndees, with nice attention paid to the drum beats. Bass rolls through on the cleverness of “99”, feat. Marcity, Jack Shitt, and DJ K-Flip. Paranoid vibes tie the whole of “New New”, feat. Light Spectrum for here Ezza expands the sound out into the infinite. Infectious hooks reign supreme on the chilled out “Resonate”. Light jazz licks rest on the periphery of “Hybrid”, feat. Jubelection and Dablock.
Turning a new page is the cautiously optimistic “Unsung Heroes”, feat. Ill Table Manners, with fantastically insightful word play alongside the gorgeous flute sample. Casually cool “Our Way” slinks along in a blur. A nice lustful track enters the equation on the chilled-out “Witchy”. Truly odd and out there “Still Trippin’”, feat. Ase Mor the Corner Store Rapper, seems to float up into the heavens. Almost vaporwave like with its treatment of the sample comes the album highlight, the lush environment of “Chumbawamba”. Darker hues enter into the fray with “K.O.W.”, feat Anubis5 and Jawn Mortar. Bringing it home with true swagger is the confident finale of “99 (Remix)”, feat. Marcity, Crabrat, DJ K-Flip.
The “Luke 9:5” album shows off Ezza of Choom Gang’s exquisite skill in crafting a universe that feels distinctly his own.