With the St. Lunatics planning on dropping and album this summer (check the video out here) I figured it was time I put a little more shine on my city, St. Louis. I’ve exposed you to Soul Tyde and Blackspade, now it’s time to let you know about one of other dope emcees to come out of the area, thanks to The Smoking Section. Rockwell Knuckles, The Northside Phenomenon, is a dope emcee cut in the vein of…well shit, nobody. His sound is just as unique as the rest of the Midwest folks. His energy and cadence is unlike I’ve heard but still familiar in some odd way. You may have heard him on one of Stoney Rock’s (Blackspade) tracks but more recently at the SXSW in Austin, TX. If you are looking for gun totin’, bling rap, please skip the download. If you are looking for some good quality Hip-Hop, I invite you to download The Glow.

Download: Rockwell Knuckles – The Glow

My column, my topic. Big ups once again to the 314. Spade isn’t really a STL product, but fuckit, I claim big homie. First time he came through the crib, he let me hear that Soultyde project I shared with a few of you in my first article. This time, he hits us with his solo joint To Serve With Love. We also get appearances from Gotta Be Karim and Coultrane, two other brothas from the Soultyde crew that are making moves.

Spade flows about relationships in many aspects, but keeps the testosterone in it. His flow and music work well as the beats and delivery always seem to be a little off, but that good off. You will get what I mean with the sample track.

His imagery and delivery remind me of fun Hip-Hop near the end of the Golden Age when music was fun and deliberate. You can tell that Spade love music as he takes you through some old school inspired soul sounds, as well as some futuristic rides in the album as well. He draws inspiration from all genres of music including Jazz, Soul, Rock, even some folk music. His flow is a direct reflection of this well traveled brother and his influences.

The best songs on the album are “Love’s Right Here”, “She’s the One”, “Good Crazy”, & “Not for the Bullshit”

Quite simply put, if you are a fan of good, laid back, fun Hip-Hop, this is worth the 10.99 (not bad for 18 tracks or music) on amazon.com or get it direct from the label here.

Bottom Line: This album is a must have for any chill music lover. Its laid back but creative and inspiring, soemthing that is missing in todays Hip Hop. I could be described best in the words of The Original White Folks “No cups, No capes, No canes, Just Game.” When you get to the base of Hip Hop music, you find Black Spade making good music for you, and letting you live and love through the CD.

Download: “She’s The One” & “Good Crazy”