The Living Legends family of independently minded hip-hop originators evolved from various west coast areas in the early to mid-90s. Over the years they’ve produced numerous collective, solo and integrated albums. The current line-up is firmly based in L.A. and consists of Asop, Bicasso (also see Slept On Records), Grouch & Eligh (they of Carving A New Standard), Luckyiam, Murs, Scarub and Sunspot Jonz.

The seven strong team with all this experience on the hip-hop scene (with over a quarter of a million record sales between them) decided to record their new material at Encore Studios, Burbank (Dr. Dre’s, Eminem, Common, Kanye West, etc) and get it mastered by Grammy nominated Mike Lazer. Increasingly, “independent” doesn’t mean cheap as Living Legends have total control as they own and run the Legendary Music label.

The seven tracks bring a message of peace and understanding (‘War & Peace’, ‘Samba’) but it’s not all lovey dovey, even though the opening track ‘The Gathering’ aims to be as inclusive as possible with shouts out to as many nations as you can think of. I’m a bit of a fan of The Grouch (as with his work with Zion I) and he contributes three productions, ‘She Wants Me’ (see the video on the troubles of being wanted!), ‘Pants On Fire’ and the grand finale of ‘After Hours’.

‘After Hours’ comes as an ‘Extended Euromix’ at over eight minutes long mainly due to the post-party drunk trash talkin’ rant (with the classic warning, “don’t do drugs that are harder than you are”) with highlights from jazzy bass lines (Mark Bell) and trumpet solo (Josh Koslow). This is an essential track for jazz hip-hop heads.

Now I’d have thought that if every MC appeared on every track the whole thing would end up a disjointed egalitarian mess full of unfocused creative differences. Far from it, this is legendary music. With the promise of a full length album to come later in the year, hip-hop ain’t dead any more. Be warned fans of real hip-hop, The Gathering is on its way.

Reviewed: Living Legends - The Gathering (Legendary Music) Cat. No. LGM-50023 Release date: 28th July 2008. Mastered by Mike Lazer at Paramount Mastering, Hollywood, CA
Tracklisting:
1 The Gathering - Produced by Eligh
2 She Wants Me - Produced by The Grouch
3 Pants On Fire - Produced by The Grouch
4 War & Peace - Produced by Eligh
5 Luva Changer - Produced by Bicasso
6 Samba - Produced by Bicasso
7 After Hours (Extended Euromix) Produced by The Grouch

Links
www.myspace.com/livinglegends
www.legendarymusic.net
www.llcrew.com
www.theaesopfables.com
www.therealgrouch.com
www.murs316.net
www.myspace.com/luckyiampsc
Gilles Peterson :: 5th December 2004 :: Plantlife In Session
Tracklisting
1, Declaime - ‘Life’ (Up Above)
2, Living Legends - ‘Blast Your Radio’ (Up Above)