Stop Lying In My Face

Calvin Owens proves to all that he is moving ahead with the times and has no fear of change as he arranges 11 powerful, multi-genre classics on Fused Musik: Stop Lying in My Face. He is aided in this project by some very talented young artists in the hip-hop genre. With so much sampling used in the genre, this has given these hip-hop artists the opportunity to use some fresh material from a master music-maker, Calvin Owens. This album also allows an audience that would not be very likely to delve into the hip-hop sound a chance to feel the power of hip-hop in a familiar groove via the Calvin Owens Orchestra. This is a unique and original concept that benefits all that were involved in the project, as well as all that experience this moment in musical history. The funk is solidly rooted in "Stop Lying in My Face," with a tight rhythm section and some creative rhythm guitar accents. The hip-hop artist Southpark Mexican uses some expressive lyrics to artfully color the song to a vibrant brilliance. "Everybody Lives the Blues" is sure to be a favorite with the hip-hop audience, as Rasheed adds some exemplary lyrical expression to give some depth to the groove. The powerful essence of the bass-driven melody lies in the horn work by Calvin Owens and the perfect placement of multiple accentuations. The mix for "Take Your Time to Love" has such an original feel that to give it a precise genre description is very difficult. Certainly the hip-hop texture is put into the blend with the lyrical expression from Rysque and Mary Jane, but the off-beat rhythm section lends a unique tempo and mood. The horn arrangement forms around a jazz presentation, with a rather intense improvisational quality. An ace presentation if ranked simply for it's originality. This version of "Stop Lying in My Face" is colored with expressive lyrical content from Big Snap. An excellent choice to close the album, with the winning combination that is the entire concept of the album's hip-hop à la Calvin Owens. Owens has put together an album that deserves to be examined by the young and old. The older generation should be familiar with Calvin Owens and the music he has crafted throughout the years; this album gives them the chance to hear how well the younger generation's music sounds with their music. The younger generation gets to experience an artist that has heavily influenced the way music is structured. They are assured of not having somebody get in their face about listening to that music because it incorporates hip-hop along with it. The old music has much to learn from, but the young music also has a message that all should hear and learn something from. Calvin Owens has created a piece of musical history that should be enjoyed by listeners of all ages.