FEEL GOOD MUSIC is finally out there for the world to listen to and I have been receiving some really nice reviews on Amazon. If you haven’t purchased a copy or left a review yet, please do so. You can also now purchase the album at BandCamp, where you can also read some liner notes and get some insight into the creation of the album. Here are a few reviews to give you an idea of what you can expect from the new album
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! Some “Feel Good Music!”, January 9, 2010
By Johnny “Juice” Rosado “Public Enemy/X… (Strong Island, NY) – See all my reviews
Illus is not new to the Hip-Hop landscape but has put out quite a few underground offerings that were unfortunately overlooked in favor of the standard commercial fare pushing the same negative images into our collective minds.
Enter “Feel Good Music.” Produced by J.J. Brown and expertly navigated by Illus, I feel this may be his breakthrough work.
Kicking off the EP beautifully is “Ready.” The track is hard yet still has that bounce to it that makes you want to move. Illus rhymes flow with an intensity that is also enthusiastic and contagious.
“Beautiful Days” brings a nostalgic feel that is hard to shake as he brings you back to an early 1990’s zone that makes you feel like if you were wearing Cross Colors and an 8-Ball Jacket!
Continuing that vibe is “Old Friends.” This is one of my favorites. He actually sounds a little like LL Cool J on this song and that isn’t a bad thing.
“Have Fun, Will Travel” and “Happy Little Accident” both sound like they came right of Hip-Hop’s Golden Era.
“Super Secret Identity” sees Illus using his background as a comic book illustrator to great effect. Great imagery and fantastic story telling round out this EP.
As I mentioned, I believe this to be Illus’ breakthrough work and I wish to hear more from him in the future.
Johnny “Juice” Rosado
Emmy-Nominated Composer
Producer/Turntablist/
Engineer/Musician
Public Enemy/X-Vandals
5.0 out of 5 stars An example of golden-era hip-hop for today…, January 8, 2010
By mGee (O.O.B., Maine) – See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
I grew up during the 80s and no matter how much I wanted to keep up with the changes that hip-hop has undergone, IMO the US mainstream branch of it has failed to engage me and many others of my generation. There’s not a thing wrong with change, but there’s something wrong with music being made for the wrong reasons. Nowadaze true heads need to do some digging to find the real thing. When you do find it, it’s like a deep breath of fresh air after you’ve been breathing nasty, stagnant air for what seems forever. Illus’ “Feel Good Music” is that desired FRESH AIR. Positive… feel good… genuine hip-hop!
5.0 out of 5 stars ILLUS…!, January 8, 2010
By Baird M. Warnick “Flatline” (Seattle, WA) – See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
Illus’ “Feel Good Music” is just that. A must-cop for listeners who appreciate real deal, genuine hip hop. With dope beats provided by J.J. Brown, Illus rips the mic on the positive tip. Talk about a breath of fresh air.
Favorite tracks are Beautiful Day, Have Fun Will Travel, and Feel Good Music. But make no mistake, solid from start to finish. And props on that album cover – captures the spirit of Feel Good Music perfectly.
“For peace, for love, to be free, for justice…are you ready?”
