Better delayed than never

Posted: October 5th, 2009 | Author: Choppa | Filed under: reviews | Tags: savant | 4 Comments »

Savant – The Delayed Entry EP

S/R, 2009

Rated: 3.5/5

Unlike Chuck D, rapper Savant happily proclaims that he rhymes for the sake of riddlin’ on the first track of his debut EP. The first half of the album definitely bears this out, filled mostly with witty punchlines and verbal flash. As the album goes on, however, he approaches some more diverse themes that serve to balance the album a bit. Together, they make it clear that this talented emcee’s debut was worth whatever delays it endured.

Coming from Tucson, AZ by way of Chicago, Savant raps with a generally complex flow that favors dense bars, but stays in the pocket of the beat nicely. While it is not instantly recognizable, his voice is strong and clear, and he uses it well. Topically, the first four tracks of the EP stick more or less to rappin’ about rappin’. He is skilled at this style, and displays enough verbal gymnastics to back up his boasts, but as the album goes on, it all starts to run together for the listener. Thankfully, he changes course with the fifth track, the breezy summertime jam, Bottom to the Top, and does not look back for the rest of the EP. These last four tracks are each on a specific topic, and while they lose a little of the speed and flash of the first tracks, they are all well-written and engaging. On Really Don’t Think, an examination of the ways in which male-female relations break down:

…And I’m tryin’ to understand just what the fuck happened
Why standards for marriage are panned and crash landed
And how the hell Hollywood soured what was established
As the most beautiful thing that mankind had ever been granted
Second to life itself
But understand that no one’s built to spend life by themselves
Stuck in a private hell because you strive for wealth
And put yourself above all else and love is dispelled

Behind the boards are different producers for each track. Starting with an RJD2-dominated track, the rest of the album uses some obscure names, but all are good, and the whole is cohesive. The overall aesthetic is based in soul samples, and has a throwback feel to it. My favorite beat is Montana Macks’ You Know, a lilting, chopped up guitar and string track that has a very cool sound but weaves tension in and out to keep it interesting. Another stand out on the lighter end of the spectrum is Illest You’ve Never Heard, featuring wah pedal guitars and smooth vocals weaving over a sparse backdrop of rimshots and hi hats. Perfect Profession hits a little harder, with soulful horns and crunchier percussion. Beats are a major strong point on this album.

Overall, this project is not perfect, even within its short EP form. Still, all the parts are there, they just need some minor tweaks to realize their potential as a whole. Savant is clearly talented and versatile, and he has an ear for beats. For a first effort, this is a good one, and Savant is someone to keep an ear out for.

Track Listing:

1. The Lyricist Threemix f. SimONE
2. Illest You’ve Never Heard (Could We Go)
3. Concrete Techniques f. Three60
4. You Know f. Rich Jones & Kasparov
5. Bottom to the Top
6. Till Death Do Us Part
7. Marry a Memory
8. Perfect Profession/Concrete Techniques Remix

You Know f. Rich Jones & Kasparov

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Download Savant of Rarebreed – Delayed Entry EP

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