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Album Review: billy woods - Camouflage (Backwoodz Studioz)
Reviewer: Ike Ikwuemesi
Word is...underground hip hop has another fine addition in its pantheon, as DC hailer billy Woods releases
Camouflage on Brooklyn-based indie label Backwoodz Studioz. With fellow smoked-out virtuosos Killgatez jr.,
Privilidge of Rec Circle and, most notably, Vordul Megallah of Cannibal Ox featuring heavily, Woods fronts a sombre
album with on-guard libretto.
Camouflage is an amalgamated 20-track album interspersed with movie effects and soundbites. Despite such a lengthy
playlist, you would be hard pressed to find a track that sounds more filler than killer. The socio-politically soaked
lyrics are well-versed, although might at times come across as being somewhat insular to the undiscerning as Woods waxes
seemingly with a mic in one hand and a tree in the other. The lyrically-sound Minimalism espouses this
political agenda right out of the gates.
On The Things They Carried Woods eerily sounds like Tupac, and the resemblance (which
could be purposefully ironic) is further evident on Amazing Grace, a provoking Latin-tinged acoustic number.
Other prominent tracks include the well-produced Stormy Weather, the sorrowful Dirge, and
the surreal Bright Lights, Big City. Macross Plus puts paid to any doubts as to Woods’ verbal dexterity.
Camouflage isn’t the most accessible of albums, but neither is it forgettable. Beats-wise, there are plenty of
head-nodding nuggets; the cut creators don’t let woods and co. down, which says a lot considering how lyrically
skilled the luminaries on this album are. Woods has made a strong debut, and one that underground hip hop heads will
welcome.
NOTE: The new Cannibal Ox single, 'In the Mirror', drops in Jan/Feb '04. The new billy woods album, 'The Chalice',
featuring Cannibal Ox, Monsta Island Czars, Carnage, and Priviledge drops in Feb '04. And the 'Copwatch' compilation and
DVD drop in spring '04.
RELATED LINKS:
Buy Billy Woods' Camouflage album at
hiphopsite.com
(limited quantities of a free
compilation available, featuring Vordul, Puggslee Atomz & Thaione
Davis, Locksmith & Frontline, Killgates jr., and more).
Also available at www.cdbaby.com and www.towerrecords.com.
RELEASE DATE: July 2003 (US). NOTE: album is due to be re-mastered and re-released in Spring 2004
PUBLISHED: Monday 29 December 2003
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promos@knowtheledge.net
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::: RELATED LINKS
Buy Billy Woods' Camouflage album at
hiphopsite.com
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