Sweatshop Union :: Infinite
:: URBNET Records
as reviewed by Steve 'Flash' Juon
![[Infinite]](../coverart/sweatshop-Infinite.jpg)
They've been called the Wu-Tang Clan of Canada,
both here and on
their Wikipedia page, but don't get Sweatshop Union twisted.
The comparison implies their ability to come together like Voltron
for one common cause, then go back to their solo identities and
projects until needed. They're not trying to recreate the vibe
of the early 1990's with dirty production, martial arts samples
and slurry New York slang. Like much progressive hip-hop of
the last 20 years though, S.U. owes a debt to the Wu-Tang for
opening the floodgates to creativity, leaving the landscape
of North America awash with talent inspired to be originals.
The "Leisure Gang" sound and video definitely pays homage -
this is some gritty and raw hip-hop music.
"Leisure" may seem like an odd word, given there's nothing
relaxed or mellow other than the sentiment "I suggest y'all
giving it a try/sitting getting high just listening to I."
It's also filled with hilarious sentiments like "Come back
as a skinny white Rick Ross, jumpin like Kris Kross." The
video has the feel of being filmed in an Egyptian desert, so
if they found a location in Vancouver that looked that barren
and sparse, my hat's off to them. The video came out over a
year ago, so "Infinite" has been in the works for a while now.
It's definitely worth the wait, especially when you get to
enjoy tracks like the Budo produced "Family Reunion."
"Soul of the continent, rebirth of common sense
Redirect energy, we reflect God within
Most of y'all forgotten them, trust me this is not the end
I was promised victory, before it's done I got to win
Momma I'ma take it back, reconcile the sky and earth
They done disrespected you so long brought down a curse
Drought, famine, earthquakes, disease
Tsunamis and they STILL callin you make believe?"
Yes Sweatshop Union is a little bit on that hippie shit,
but only if that "hip" still includes "hip-hop." They don't
go all the way to tofu and granola, but it's an undercurrent.
It's not one that should cause you to be wary if you're a
meat eater, because their eclectic nature is best reflect by
songs like "Space Bears": "Space age Tupac, hair like
Chewbacca/time travel in the house, coat and tube socks/tie
dye t-shirt, astronaut head dress/superhuman, superpowered
y'all yes yes." It's tongue in cheek, tongue pointing firmly
toward their group aesthetic, and they only commune to
communicate collectively in producing and releasing
dope albums like this.
"Dope" is the key to "Infinite" because you can get high on
it without taking a toke. All of the NBSBL College produced
songs are dope but light up "Feed" featuring Def 3 and Snak
the Ripper for a start - it's some straight up
Swollen Members
shit as is "King of the Beach." At times you may wonder
why Madchild isn't making a cameo. Guest appearances are
limited though, which you'd expect given they are such a
large crew to begin with, so the only other feature to
mention is "Listen Up" featuring Claire Mortifee. S.U.'s
Pigeon Hole does a few tracks on his own such as the
aforementioned "Space Bears" and "Leisure Gang," and his
tracks are dope too. From the slow and methodically
delivered pianos of "Time Granted" to the bubbling electronic
sounds of "We Ready," S.U. flows freely over any style
they're paired with, making the title of "Infinite" apt.
They don't seem to have any limitations nor are they likely
to find any in the near future.
Music Vibes: 7 of 10
Lyric Vibes: 7 of 10
TOTAL Vibes: 7 of 10
Originally posted: November 12th, 2013
source: www.RapReviews.com