Asif Khan Inc.

brooklynati – tanya morgan

Most good stories require the perfect setting and location as well in order to make themselves into a bestseller. Now whether the rapper trio Tanya Morgan’s latest album makes itself into a best seller or not is something to be seen. What seems certain is that they have managed to concoct the perfect setting combining elements from their hometowns of Brooklyn and Cincinnati to make the fictitious city of “Brooklynati”. As it opens with “On Our Way”, the soul induced quality immediately strikes you that this isn’t another clone of the gangsta driven thug variety. Made up mostly of mid tempo beats, the album builds up an expectation and delivers upon it. “So Damn Down” coasts along smoothly with a jazzy variety of sampling that adds to the overall old school nature of the album. Yes, this album is as old school as it gets in today’s world – a direct pullout from where the brothas of the 90s left it. “Bang & Boogie” and “Hardcore Gentleman” take care of the usual booty chasing phenomenon which has to find mention somewhere at least. Only here, they do it much finesse, and not make it a crass misogyny. Carlitta Durand extends her vocal chords to make a fine statement on the funk laced melody of “Never Enough”. A hip hop record not be missed this season, this one should stand out till the end of the year.