“The Best Part”, the debuted album by the ultra-talented J-Live was released in 2001 on Triple Threat Productions. Originally slated to be released in 1999, due to difficulties with various labels wasn’t released until a couple of years later. J-Live gained some early buzz after appearing on the Stretch and Bobbito show and with his single “Braggin’ Writes.” He parlayed that buzz into lining up a superstar cast of producers for his album, including Prince Paul, Pete Rock and DJ Premier. J-Live, a true triple threat (Rapper, DJ and Producer) actually did all the cuts on the album other than the title track which was handled by DJ Premier. If you ever seen J-Live in concert than you’ve probably seen him do his thing rapping while holding down the tables simultaneously. “The Best Part” is a return the essence of Hip Hop music.
***********
Chris: I wanted to review J-Live’s “The Best Part” because it
was an album that I was really fond of when I found the bootleg on AudioGalaxy back
in the day. As you reminded me, it was recorded between 1996 and 1999 but wasn’t
officially released until 2001. Although its official release was delayed, it sounded
a lot like the other “underground”, ‘backpacker” shit that was popular around
that time. What do you remember of hearing J-Live and “The Best Part” for the
first time?
Mike: Discovering this album happened pretty randomly for
me. A friend gave me “The Best Part” swearing I would dig it. I knew nothing
regarding J-Live’s come up, crew or affiliated artists but one glance at the
producer credits and I was down to give it a go. By the way, the OG album cover
was way cooler.
Chris: Yes! Love the play off of NBA Live
Chris: Kind of cool, the assortment of producers that
contributed to this project. 88-Keys, Grap Luva, Prince Paul, DJ Spinna, Pete Rete
and DJ Premier. How do you feel like the album flows? Do you have a preference between
albums with several different producers or an entire album with a single
producer? I like the tracks that Grap Luva produced, I’d like to hear what they
could come up with for an entire album. Did you know that other than the title
track, J-Live did all the cuts himself?
Mike: Considering the cast of producers J-Live utilized, the
album flows seamlessly. J-Live picked timeless producers that gave him a backdrop
to lay down his raps and it gives “The Best Part” a cohesiveness that’s close
to as if it was produced by a single producer.
I would prefer to work with a cast of producers in the same
vein, working toward the same sound as opposed to picking a single producer.
The multi-producers give “The Best Part” a wider dexterity and textures that breaks
up the monotony of J-Live’s sometimes forgettable flows.
I definitely see the potential of J-Live working exclusively
with Grap Luva, as I feel “Them That’s Not” is a standout track.
J-Live – “Them That’s Not” (Produced by Grap Luva)
Chris: Interesting. I kind of enjoy J-Live as a lyricist.
Not overly complicated but he’s a decent storyteller, has nice battle raps,
there is social commentary and I dig his metaphors on songs like “Wax Paper”
J-Live – “Wax Paper” (Produced by Prince Paul)
Mike: What you
appreciate about J-Live’s content is probably my main beef with his approach to
penning songs. Seems like a generic
tradeoff of all the staples of traditional Hip Hop content, but not stamped
with a distinguishing identity. I don’t feel like I know much about J-Live
after playing “The Best Part” in its entirety.
I have a question for you. If someone asked you to describe
J-Live’s music, what would your response be?
Chris: I’d describe it as laid back and mindful.
In November of 1995, J-Live appeared in The Source as their “Unsigned
Hype” for that issue. This question is slightly off topic but how important was
The Source for you as a medium for expanding your knowledge and interest in Hip
Hop music? Not that they were all that hard but I used to finish those crossword
puzzles in one sitting.
Mike: The Source had
a miniature influence on my album choices. I mainly looked at the mag for Chino
BYIs (whatup CHINO, whats up with your Knicks?” “Graff Fix” section.
Chris: Did you have any favorite tracks?
Mike: The legends involved came through and lent their
signature sounds, which are the brightest moments on the album. Prince Paul’s “Wax
Paper”, Pete Rock’s “Kick It to the Beat”, and Premier’s title track, all left
a very Hip Hop classic vibe.
Chris: Yes, “Kick It to the Beat” with that cool Harvey Mandel
sample!
J-Live feat. Probe.dms and Asheru – “Kick It to the
Beat” (Produced by Pete Rock)
Harvey Mandel – “Baby Batter”
Chris: How do you feel about “The Best Part” now verses how
you felt about it back you first heard it?
Mike: I don’t want to sound like a negative Nancy as far as
this joint goes but truthfully it isn’t an album I yearn to bump currently. The
All-Star production line up doesn’t save an otherwise forgettable rapper. The best
part of “The Best Part” is when the album ends.
Chris: I wouldn’t go that far but aside from a couple of
tracks, “The Best Part’s” value really didn’t hold up for me either. Still think it's pretty good.
