Philieano vs. LDontheCUT is an album that took 2 years to finally complete. Thanks to Technicali Sound the long awaited hip ho album is finally available on every download site, in select stores and of course at their shows. The album features 13 tracks and some amazing guests. For those of you who don’t know or cannot seem to place where you may have heard these gentlemen before here is a short back story of the masters of ceremony Philieano and LDontheCut. Philieano is Long Beach native, the brother of Long Beach Dub All-Stars and famous tattoo artist Opie Ortiz. His first album “Holy Homework” was put out by Skunk Records way back in 2007. He has been steadily building a strong fan base here in the U.S. as well as Europe. LDontheCUT is another young lad from the area who recently struck mainstream fame as the DJ for Sublime with Rome and Rome (solo stuff) as well as the founder of Technicali Sound which has over 30 releases available worldwide. According to his bio he has produced GZA & U-God of Wu-Tang, Aceyalone of Freestyle Fellowship & Project Blowed, LMNO and the Visionaries, Ariano of Technicali, Akil & Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, Rakaa, Evidence, & Babu of Dilated Peoples and many more underground artists.
The first track is “Follow Me Intro” a call to arms for their fans and other native Long Beach crew members. The beat is great and so is the scratching. Philieano’s voice is great over it and the samples are reminiscent of the days when RAS MG was just starting out with the lads from Sublime making their seminal album “40oz to Freedom”. “Fight” has some serious links to days past with the beats but the rhyme style of Philieano is what makes this track move. The beat will make everyone’s head bob. “Here We Go” has a great tribute to the last Prominent Son Petey Parker which will resonate with any fan of the Long Beach hip-hop scene. The beat, samples and scratching of LDontheCUT is really showcased throughout this number. “Came a Long Way Featuring Ariano” has a slower tempo and a smooth hook that will make all of those that loved “Gangsters Paradise” take notice. The upbeat “Forsake Her” is a good ode to hip-hop love with some good scratching and a hook that could catch on as a sing along song. “Special Featuring LMNO” is just flat out great. The female vocal inserts work well around the beat and Philieano’s voice. “Drop Kick” is one of those songs that hits so hard you can just picture cars bouncing to this song for years to come. The tempo is slower than some of the other tracks but the speed of Philieano’s delivery is amazing and will keep your head spinning. “Stay Solid” is another showcase for LDontheCUT as he rips up every beat and sample on this one. “Pressure Featuring Toko Tasi, Opie Ortiz and Fatethepurelight” starts off with some amazing scratching but once the unmistakable vocals of Toko Tasi and Opie Ortiz those that have followed the Long Beach music scene will be thankful that all of these local heavy weights got together for another track. The merging of their styles make this track one of the most special songs to come out of Long Beach in years. “Final Call Featuring Medusa” and “Hash Ghandi” fit well back to back with their smooth old school beats that will remind you of being at a backyard bbq or just relaxing with friends on the beach. “Not Your Average Featuring Cannibal, I-Man, Medusa, Paulie Nugent, Scotty Edge and Tony Tigerstyle” is an all star collaboration showcasing many in the scene. The song is done well and everyone brings a unique approach to the track. The final track “Love and Hate” ends the disc with the flair and speed that has been showcased throughout the disc.
Philieano vs. LDontheCUT is a musical masterpiece. Every song on the album is worth checking out. These lads have really showed what over 2 years of perseverance can produce.
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