Dark Sun Riders Featuring Brother J - Seeds of Evolution

posted on Oct 17, 2005 Dark Sun Riders - Jewels Of Evol (Link Expired)
Dark Sun Riders - Soulful Ascension (Link Expired)

Dark Sun Riders Featuring Brother J - Seeds of Evolution

Dark Sun Riders Featuring Brother J
Seeds of Evolution
Island, 1996

X-Clan emblematizes rap’s era of cautious flirtation with hyper-militant cultural nationalism and polemical afro-centrist mysticism. After an arresting left field introduction on Ralph McDaniels’ pioneering public access rap video show Video Music Box in 1989, the crew quickly became famous for their freakish neo-Egyptian costumes and fetish for everything Parliament-Funkadelic or Earth, Wind, and Fire. Although Professor X’s famous interjections, chants, and rants are fondly remembered, Brother J’s booming no-nonsense phrasing of righteous rage bordering on cosmic psychobabble lends the crew a measure of lasting appreciation that will not soon wane. After Professor X’s Puss N’ Boots (Island, 1993) quickly faded into obscurity and DJ Sugar Shaft passed away, Brother J seemed destined for the history books and old school retrospectives.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Dark Sun Riders’ first 12” “Time To Build” appearsed suddenly in the summer of 1996 just as the hip hop nation was grappling with the mixed blessing of increased media exposure and conditional acceptance that is at least partly attibutable to interrelated changes in production values and sampling laws. Seeds of Evolution sees Brother J working with a new production outfit, the mysterious Dark Sun Riders, who are fiercely dedicated to making that ol’ boom-bap sparkle without sacrificing its menacing funk. This a shrewd aresthetic move in the context of the ’96 rap scene, in which jiggier-than-thou crews like Junior Mafia drop gritty hustler narratives over glitzy pimp music with titles like “Lyrical Wizardry.”

As befits this strange time in rap history, the Dark Sun Riders lay down vibrant, evocative tracks dotted with bizarre but palatable sounds for their famous vocalist to sling his mellifluous and esoteric denunciations of all things wicked and grafted. In some ways Seeds of Evolution is more of that same spacey X-Clan vibe: Brother J speaks of transmigration, intergalactic voyage, and future race wars, and his producers have snazzy names like “Ultraman The Groove Tweeker.”

This time around, however, the Grand Verbalizer aims his anger more transparently at corrupt politicians, the mass media, and soul-less minstrel-rappers. That he does so while coming off smooth and in sync with the densely layered but never muddy or crackly beats speaks volumes about J’s populist leaning. His social consciousness is marked by an increased sophistication and diminished bombast the farther he is removed from his P-Funk jacking ways. While Seeds of Evolution may not be remembered as a classic like the X-Clan LPs and lacks the bugged out cultist strangeness that the old crew reveled in, it does represent a forward and natural progression and a sincere attempt to locate enlightenment deep within a rhythm.

Back to reviews

Comments for "Dark Sun Riders Featuring Brother J - Seeds of Evolution"

  1. Hard to get into – but thank god it’s available.
    — Bergs    Oct 27, 10:07 AM   
  2. Easily the best X-Clan record. I always thought J was trapped in between those overused P-Funk beats and X’s irritating rants. It is on “Seeds” that he finally gets his shine.
    — Bob    Nov 29, 03:26 PM   

  3. My name is Mingus “Cro” Kahn. I would greatly appriciate it if you could notify me of where i can locate Brother J.


    — Mingus Kahn    Mar 8, 02:04 PM   

  4. dark sun riders is arguably better than the two x clan albums. except the fucking interludes, of course. but brother j is murder and the music is thick, heavy, dark. the bassist is sergio vega, from that early 90’s band quicksand, and you can hear that quasi-metal brooding in his rhythm.


    — b    Sep 2, 03:05 PM   

  5. Brother J is one of the most underrated rappers ever. This is one of those mid-90’s classics that only real heads loved. Although I didn’t care for the lack of original beats at the time, I will say that the second x-clan album sounds like most of the computer made mixtapes out now, but with crack replaced with pro-black.


    — coolout    Dec 29, 02:18 AM   

  6. The Black Watch movement is alive is Chicago. Black Watch member out there across the country Freedom or Death! We must unite and bring the movement back alive everywhere.


    — Over Seer of the Chicago Black Watch    Apr 19, 02:55 PM   

  7. third world stone millenium
    lady mytic law of justice


    — charlene long    Sep 29, 12:04 AM   

  8. Hey brother J hope to see you soon again in Houston Keep up the good work.All blessings flow from the allmighty above. And the struggle continues. If you ever need a houston family to talk to our doors are always open contact us at 713-807-8642 Peace and Blessings from Mama Elaine and Sista Nicole


    — Ms.Nickkie    Apr 16, 12:10 PM   

  9. I loved your CD
    mamaelaine,the griot


    — elainetnnerd    Apr 16, 01:02 PM   

  10. Hey Brother J you coming to houston was a great experience and come back real soon my sister sent that first e-mail her name is charlene and my mom sent the second message under my name the journey is long an rough but we can still strive for the best sista nicole


    — Ms.Nickkie    Apr 16, 01:23 PM   

  11. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not this thread too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    — R.H.S.    Apr 16, 01:24 PM   
Textile Help