Toronto, Ontario, Canada Emcee/Producer Raz Fresco enlists West Coast veteran DJ Muggs for what I'm sure is his 16th proper full-length solo LP. I've been familiar with the guy since my high school years at this point whether it's some of his features or his own extensive discography including Magneto was right mixtape series, produced by Futurewave Gorgeous polo players album, produced by Nicholas Craven Boulangerie album, the Cake beat tapes, n Gia…À La Carte collab EP with Estee Nack or more recently the production of Cookin' Soul Bakin' Soul & the Daniel Son collaboration effort North side. Continuing further the recognition of the last 3 received, The Eternal Now it seemed like there was a good chance he would surpass them, as Muggs has been on a streak of producing work for other artists in recent memory and helping to bring out the best in them.
The title track sets the tone for what's to come from the jazzy instrumental to the lyrics, letting everyone know exactly what they're living right now, while the sumptuous “Memory Lane” talks about people who spend too much time reflecting and getting nostalgic. I agree wholeheartedly. “Look What You Made Me Do” becomes full-on boom bap examining the darker side of Raz's mind before the instrumental “Smoke & Mirrors” talks about the game being as cold as it gets.
“Blood Money” strips down to drums that feel completely alive whenever the sun hits it just before Gritfall & The 6th Letter's “Ghost of Garvey” finds the trio over a sample crooning about bringing back the spirit of Marcus Garvey. “King Tubby” goes into drumless territory once again feeling like crying for people sometimes because of the cruelty of the world leading into “Blow Up the Spot” going back to boom bap talking about having a nickel for each time he called out a poser for trying to be official.
Kicking off the 2nd leg, “Fake Beef” harshly warns that you can smoke like Terrell Owens and keep the gates of Hell open by saving Heaven for the best, while the dustily jazzy hybrid “World Peace” speaks of game plan to get land with their names on the building. “Pan's Labyrinth” strips the drums down once again discussing a trapped king trapped in the faun's elaborate and confusing structure, while “Big Soul Assassins” returns to boom bap representing the eponymous group Soul Assassins.
“Staircase Stories” is coming to an end The Eternal Now If you couldn't tell from the title, he unearths his own stories from the stairs over a raw beat with an acoustic drum pattern, and I found the rock sampling throughout “50 Bop” to be quite interesting, allowing Raz to trick out the microphone to the point where I can say it's my favorite part here. “Spooky” closes the LP by leaping over a drumless jazz sample that calls itself Professor X with its mind.
Raz already has a Hell of a 2024 from Bakin' Soul to North side and sure enough, The Eternal Now reaches the past Bakin' Soul as the best full-length album in his entire discography. DJ Muggs' production ranges from boom bap to drumless, jazz rap & rap rock giving a taste of the Toronto Emcee while maintaining the same lyrical energy he's kept from his last two projects I've covered in the past.
Rating: 9/10
