DIALECTRIX
Cycles of Survival
It’s easy to be cynical about an album before you’ve even heard it, simply because you’re not familiar with the artist in question. I didn’t know a lot about Dialectrix, so I popped in ‘Cycles of Survival’ with an open mind, not expecting to be blown away.
15 minutes in I was already hitting rewind! Dialectrix, who hails from the Blue Mountains, is only 21 years young, but raps with the passion and maturity of a 20 year vet. What separates Dialectrix from his peers, is his ability to rap in the ‘new-school’ fashion of intricate multi-syllable rhymes schemes, while still telling a gripping tale. For some MC’s, it’s easy to write a lyrically complex rhyme, yet often the message will get lost in the ridiculousness of the verse- with Dialectrix it’s quite the opposite. From the opening bar of each song, the listen is drawn in not only by the banging beats by label-mate Chasm, but by the MC’s charisma, humour and polished flow.
While the luxury of being signed to Obese Records has afforded Dialectrix the chance to work with amazing MC’s such as Drapht, Pegz, Scott Burns and Mdusu, it’s difficult to forget that this is Dialectrix’s album, and he owns the spotlight. Even Drapht’s signature sing-a-long flow on ‘Came for the Sound’ doesn’t steal the show from the young MC.
The themes on the album vary from straight up partying and having a good time, to more confronting issues such as family abuse and youth alienation. When the Hilltop Hoods, Funkoars and Downsyde left Obese Records this year, many said it could spell the end of the influential label- Dialectrix does his best to make sure that doesn’t happen, delivering a solid album from start to finish; hopefully a sign of things to come from Obese and the young MC.
(Obese) Boltz Sez: Solid.

NE-YO
Year of the Gentleman
Out with the old, in with the new; that’s the saying right? Ne-Yo personifies that notion on ‘Year of the Gentleman’. As Usher’s career hits the skids, it’s Ricky Brown and Ne-Yo competing for the title of Numero Uno- for those keeping count at home, I’d have Mr. Brown slightly ahead on points simply because he’s dating Beyonce’s successor Rihanna. Ne-Yo shows his full range on ‘…Gentleman’, showcasing his renowned song writing ability, his vocal talents and even his abilty to hold down 14 tracks without a guest in sight. The comparisons to Michael Jackson are obvious; Ne-Yo has a very similar voice to a young Michael, and if you’ve seen him dance, it would be hard to disagree with the analogy. The albums jumps between piano-led ballads, to dance-floor fillers, and back to classic RnB slow jams, though the mood of the disc doesn’t suffer because of it. Ne-Yo appeals to the common man (and woman) with lines like ‘She hates that I don’t do dishes, even though I mess up the most’. Sound familiar boys?? ‘Year of the Gentleman’ does more than enough to get Ne-Yo into a position to challenge Ricky Brown for the throne- he might just knock him off, even with Rihanna keeping watch!
(Universal)
Wifey Sez: Nice guys don’t always finish last.

Ice Cube
The Essentials
Quite apt this ‘best of’ compilation of Ice Cube’s hits on the eve of his new album. A case of cashing in? Perhaps but ‘The Essentials’ is a great reminder, let alone a bit of nostalgia on what made Ice Cube so good. Sure he has lost his touch a little in recent years as he tries to catch up with the Jones of rap and issue something relevant but there is no denying his best material was his earlier work. Edgy, dark and intelligent, ‘The Essentials’ will have you bouncing off the walls in no time with its west-coast funk beats and smoky raps. Highlights on this sensational best of includes the reflective old skool soul of ‘It Was A Good Day’, the twisted funk of ‘Spittin’ Pollaseeds’ featuring WC and Kokane, the chaotic RMC-esq ‘Rollin’ With The Lench Mob,, the heavy sounding ‘Why We Thugs/ Smoke Some Weed’ which sounds even better live, the early 90’s party banger hit ‘Check Yo Self’ (Mrs Doubtfire anyone?!) and the insightful slinky funky electro beats of ‘What Can I Do?’ So freakin cool, Ice Cube’s ‘The Essentials’ is a must for any hip-hop head’s CD collection!
(EMI)
CJ Anderson-Peters Sez: Smokin’!

PUSSYCAT DOLLS
Doll Domination
Say what you like about the Pussycats Dolls; too pop, sex sells, only Nicole can sing etc etc. The facts speak for themselves- their last album spawned more top 10 hits than any other album in recent history. The titled of their new LP ‘Doll Domination’ couldn’t be more fitting. The Pussycat Dolls are taking over, one 12-14 year old at a time! The lead single ‘When I Grow Up’ is on mainstream radio more than ads for penile dysfunction, while the follow up ‘I Hate This Part’ might slow down the tempo, but should climb the charts as quickly as anything the girls have released in the past. Credible artists such as Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg and producer Polow Da Don know a good thing when they see it, getting their name amongst the credits; even not so credible artists such as R. Kelly and (giggle) New Kids on the Block stop by for a collaboration, hoping to revive their careers on the back of Nicole and co. Disc 2 sees a novel idea- each of the girls take on a solo track, proving to the haters that they are more than just back up dancers. Ok, so maybe not all of the efforts will hush the critics, but Melody and Ashley belt out a couple of slow jams that equal anything Ashanti or even Janet Jackson could produce these days. Nicole harks back to her Burlesque days on ‘Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps’ which is like listening to strip-salsa. Interesting!
(Universal)
Wifey Sez: Who stole my Bratz doll??

Jess McAvoy
As The Sun Falls
Jess McAvoy to me seems like the poor sister to Clare Bowditch. She has a similar unique indie sound yet doesn’t receive anywhere near the praise that her counterpart receives. Funny enough she teams up with the team behind Clare Bowditch for her latest offering ‘As The Sun Falls’ and this is her best effort to date. Sure the Clare Bowditch comparisons linger on here with even Clare making an appearance on backing vocals on ‘As The Sun Falls’ but for the first time Jess McAvoy has found a grittier edge to her sound and it’s a pleasant surprise. Some of the highlights on offer include the pulsing bass of ‘Cake’, the gutsy throbbing banger ‘How The Hell’ and the sultry ‘Part Of Me’ with its nimble lingering piano. Despite the gutsy, much more grittier sound of her new album, Jess McAvoy should not despair because the sweet voice that they have become accustomed to hasn’t been lost in the heavier sound. She’s still sticking to her acoustic roots but Jess McAvoy is just spreading her wings a little and giving music lovers like myself something a little different that is oh so refreshing!
(Henduwin Music)
CJ Anderson-Peters Sez: Sunny