Friday, July 15, 2016

Sadat X's 'Agua' is a cool refreshing glass of rap, as nourishing as clean clear water

Agua by Sadat X
Sadat X (one third of Brand Nubian) has changed tones slightly since his 2015 Never Left album where his experience and years came out as well something close to mild cheesiness, but this time, on his new Agua LP (July 15, Tommy Boy Ent.), he’s cut down a little on the cheese, kept his seniority plus some and added an ounce or two of his usual New York grit. 
Of an earlier style but fit for a king, Agua is evidence that Sadat is still a stable solid rock in the game carrying on tradition finely. He takes turns on the album informing, dreaming, having some fun and taking care of business, as confident as ever in his roles as the dad of a soon-to-be college freshman, a school volunteer and neighborhood watchman. 
His wisdom and sagacity are shown in “The City Never Sleeps” featuring eMC’s Wordsworth as the two rap on common corruption in the world, and songs like “Cut And Dry” (ft. Lord Jamar) and “The Bass Player” display Sadat X the lover, the warrior and regular guy. 
In “Maybe It’s Me,” he admits to being from a different, arguably better era (later, in “Tommy Is My Boy,” he’s anti-pills and anti-lean), and as his final positive acts, he turns off the Agua (and doesn’t leave it running) with “We Strive” (ft. Dres of Black Sheep) and the seize-this-life anthem “Nobody.” 
Sadat X is no less than a smart seasoned veteran now, and this regular musical-visit he pays to us has a larger, greater sound and impact than his last. The producers have laid out a good modest buffet of beats, and although it’s not very revolutionary, Agua is there to help wash away our blues.
3 out of 5 stars

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