Notes & Personnel Info |  | Federation: Doonie Baby, Mr. Stress, Goldie. | | Personnel: Doris Brooks, Next Level (vocals); Femi Ojetunde (guitar); Michael Denten (background vocals). | | Additional personnel: Daz, E-40, Next Level, Twista, Undaflow, Battle Loc, Kinsmoke, El Dorado Red. | | Audio Mixers: Rick Rock; Kevin "KD" Davis; Supa Engineer "Dura"; Michael Denten; Richard Huredia. | | Recording information: Chicago recording Company; Infinite Sound Studios, Alameda, CA; The Federation Compound, Sacramento, CA. | | Editor: Dustin "Nump" Perfetto. | | Photographer: Jonathan Mannion. | | During the early to mid-2000s, rap producer Rick Rock rose in stature quite a bit, to the point where Virgin Records gave him the go-ahead to record an album with a group of his own, Federation. The album is first and foremost a showcase for his productions, which are quite distinct as far as rap productions go. He doesn't have a production style that is as distinct as that of, say, Timbaland, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, Lil Jon, DJ Premier, or the Neptunes, but his style is nonetheless engaging in and of itself and much more varied than that of those producers, all of whom could be accused of turning out generic, if awesome, beats. Not so with Rick. There's nothing generic about his beats. Every track here on his Federation debut, The Album, is unique. For instance, as you make your way through your first listen of the album, you'll most likely find yourself curious to hear what sort of beat Rick comes up with next. And with its 18 tracks, The Album has plenty of variety. There's more to the album than just beat-making, though. Federation are a lively bunch, and they trade off verses on each track, often teaming up for the hooks. They're a hostile, crazy posse -- sort of like a West Coast Onyx or a less charismatic, small-scale Wu-Tang. There's no other West Coast rap group quite like them that comes easily to mind. They're from California, but they're as crunk as anyone in the South and as lyrical as anyone in New York. They're gifted rappers, for sure, but not reason enough to pick up this album. Nor should you pick up the album if you're looking for some standout hits. This isn't a pop album. Sure, some tracks stand out, chiefly the E-40 feature, "Hyphy," as well as a few especially clubby tracks like "Go Dumb" and "Go to Work." But there's nothing here that's gonna storm up the charts. If you're gonna go out of your way to pick up The Album, do it for Rick's productions. That's the real draw here -- genius beat-making. ~ Jason Birchmeier | | Federation is from the West Coast, but one could never corner the group's sound to any segment of the country. The trio presents an ultra-fierce style that contains elements of the Dirty South, East Coast old-school rap, and West Coast gangsta-funk, all whipped into a frenzy by unofficial fourth member and super-producer Rick Rock. It was Rock who brought Federation together, and his unique compositions fuel its debut, THE ALBUM, but the three MCs--Stressie, Doonie, and Goldie--boast personalities as strong and original as the beats on which they ride. | | There's truly not anything quite like Federation; perhaps the closest comparison is Onyx, with a similar fevered fury unleashed by the threesome, who play off each other with ease, as if they had been trading rhymes since childhood. When the trio really gets going and becomes lost in the otherworldly and chaotic Rick Rock beats, the effect is truly dizzying. For 10 tracks, the pace is relentless, and even when the group slows it down for the 11th track, "Ghetto Love Song," a disarmingly emotional ballad, there is still something wonderfully askew. Rock possesses a clever musical mind and with Federation, he's found three rappers to perfectly convey his vision. |
Producer: Rick Rock; Rick Rock |
Engineer: Dustin "Nump" Perfetto; Joe Jackson; Michael Denten |
Musical Guests | | E-40 | | Twista | | El Dorado Red | | Battle Loc | | Kinsmoke | | Daz | | Next Level | | Undaflow |
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