The idea of Felt is as intriguing as the talent who make up the group. The idea of this hip hop group is to have lyrical exchanges about life, love and women. Ok, throw in money and that sounds as cliche as every other hip hop record out there today. But, what's really bizarre about Felt is how they go about doing this. Rather than just naming their album something whack, the group sees each Felt release as a tribute to a B-list actress. In 2002 Felt released their debut A Tribute to Christina Ricci followed up by 2005's A Tribute to Lisa Bonet and now the group have once again gathered together with Aesop Rock behind the desk to create Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez.
Rosie Perez? Yep, and don't ask why because I have no idea, but Felt have shown the once immensely popular actress some love here and who knows maybe she'll make a few bucks off the record as a result. Money, career,or not, Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez is yet another ridiculously good record from the Rhymesayers stable which should come as no surprise. What did you expect? When you put together Slug, Murs and the production work of Aesop Rock you're guaranteed to get lyrical and musical fireworks and that's just what happens here.
Rough, raw, and created with hip hop in it's most pure state, Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perezexplodes out of the gates and never backs down. This is an album with a lyrical agenda and it lays it all out on the table repeatedly, song after song. This unearthly trio of indie-hop talent just do to songs what shouldn't be done, they take a track and just brutalize it with beats and prowess that would put most MC's to shame and then release it for the world to see. What really makes Felt dangerous is the fact that these guys use their brains as much as they're larynx and they're unafraid to mix genres up kind of like a mad chemist. Sure this could have been a throw away effort and the three of them along w/scratch master DJ Big Whiz but they all sink their hearts into this record and it shows. Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez might not be quite as good as each of the contributors solo efforts, but the record is brilliant and the best combination of talent I've heard in a long time.
Slightly paranoid but always on top of the game, Felt do not disappoint here. Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perezis a great record and should make at least one mami very proud. If you like your hip hop outside of the mainstream then Felt is your group. These guys deliver the goods. The only question left now is who's up for a tribute on Felt 4?
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