New York emcee, songwriter, producer and record executive Masta Ace returns with Toronto beatsmith Marco Polo for his 9th full-length LP, albeit their 2nd together. Breaks out in the late 80s as a member of the Juice Crew, his solo debut Look around you became a Cold Chillin' Records gem, the next couple Slaughterhouse & Sit in Chromeaccompanied by Masta Ace Incorporated, Interscope Records Disposable arts is a classic concept album about his recording after realizing how bad things are in Brooklyn, his M3 Records debut A long hot summer is another concept piece besides the one about wandering around his town before going on tour with Fats as his unofficial manager, MA_Doom: Son of Yvonne it was basically him freestyling over it Special Herbs beats paying tribute to his mom & The season of the fall he focused more on his high school years. However, with the 5 year anniversary A Breukelen story Produced by the passing Marco Polo this fall and serving as a near-perfect love letter to the planet, Ace takes it to Richmond Hill for the sequel.
After the “December 26th” skit, first song “Brooklyn Heights” is a boom bap opener with Ace telling you where he's broadcasting from, while Coast Contra's “Certified” takes a funkier approach by speaking organically about the respective their certification in rap. game. After the “Cartunes” skit, “Hero” with Inspectah Deck bring the kicks and snares back in full force likening themselves to vigilantes just before “Life Music” with Speech & Stricklin' finds the trio with the bag their for adults over a dusty but atmospheric Rhythm.
“Below the Clouds” featuring Blu harshly advises you to get your head out of the clouds, and after the “St. Roberts sketch, “Heat of the Moment” is an acoustic/boom bap hybrid that continues to dispense wisdom like makes your decisions clear as they don't want to understand what they fear. “Jordan Theory” mixes synths with kicks and snares explaining that you have to leave your soul to cross that bridge, but then “Money Problems” with Che Noir emits an orchestral blast of boom that tackles financial issues.
After the “Scarborough” skit, “PPE” takes it back to the basement talking about the junkies and pushers that are everywhere, while “Outside In” featuring C-Red & E Smitty has to be one of the weakest pieces here respectfully, as we are. to be treated to a love ballad with piano. “Connections” shows passionate hunger by keeping his status high until he's satisfied with a heavy boom bap beat sample while the jazzy “Plant Based” talks about how he's eating better these days. “All I Want” with Wordsworth following the “December 25” sketch ends the LP wanting freedom for Christmas.
Like how ONE History of Breukelen was primarily inspired by Ace's upbringing, this time we have a concept album based on Marco Polo's childhood growing up in the eponymous Ontario neighborhood and one that lives up to the bar set by its predecessor over 5 years ago. They tackle the issues of the day head on with clarity so Ace can use his decades worth of rap experience to set apart the producer's warm soulful samples and clean percussion.
Rating: 9/10