During the high success and influx of underground hip hop in 1999, a semi-super group formed called The Polyrhythm Addicts. Made up of emcees Mr. Complex, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Apani B. Fly, and DJ Spinna, the group dropped criminally slept-on Motion 2000.
After that album, all of its participants went back to their solo careers and parted ways. Eight years later, the group has reformed with only one difference – Apani B. Fly is no longer in the group and the underrated Tiye Phoenix has taken her place.
Break Glass reintroduces Polyrhythm with a burst of energy, a hungered fever, and renewed excitement in their music. DJ Spinna is in a zone with his production. This album is a perfect example of his infectious sound. Upbeat rhythms, perfectly timed samples, and instruments lace every track that immediately grabs the listener’s ear. All three emcees display great chemistry, trading verses back and forth with ease and flair.
Lyrically, they all can rip a mic with wordplay and similes, however it is the numerous concept tracks on the album that give this release the greatest flexibility. Their story-telling tracks of everyday life give the album significant depth.
The Polyrhythm came back with a solid album, which will hopefully give the group the attention it deserves. Break Glass is ten tracks of straight up, non-flashy, raw hip hop, and it’s great to see emcees still repping the essence of what the art form means to them.
– Mike LaCroix
(Babygrande Records)