ZION I AND THE GROUCH ARE...HEROES IN THE CITY OF DOPE (Om Records)

In 2000, the Oakland based group Zion I released their critically acclaimed album Mind Over Matter. The album featured a collaboration with Living Legends member The Grouch on the classic track “Silly Putty.” Three years later, they came back together with Oakland’s Goapele on Deep Water Slang 2.0’s “Flow.” It’s been long over due for these two emcees to finally come together and create more than these two tracks.

Taking a cue from the popularity and success of the previous two joints, these two well-respected hip hop acts have put together a record that not only long time fans can bob their head to but also get a little stupid, dumb and hyphy to while listening to their ipods.

With a handful of diverse guests like Bay Area favorite Mistah FAB, talented singer Esthero, Chali2na from Jurassic 5 and the funky and soulful Martin Luther of the Roots crew, Zion I was able to show that they can make a conscious, yet versatile and progressive hip hop record.

Both groups took this opportunity to make more than a banging record by taking it to the next level. The track “Current Affiars” takes on the issues of the Homeland Security Act and how the rights of citizens are slowly being taking away. “Trains and Planes” is their gift to their home, speaking about traveling the world on tour but returning home to the Bay Area. (They even added that famous voice of the BART system that tells you when the San Francisco/Daly City train is coming.)

With help on a few tracks from Crown City Rockers’ Headnodic, Eligh and even The Grouch himself, the production is as diverse as the rhymes themselves. You might even hear a few beats you know, like the opening drums in E-40s “Tell Me When to Go” or an old West Side Connections beat.

The Grouch and Zion I know that together they can craft some dope ass tracks and now they have created another classic album to add to the long list.