The influence of Project Blowed is unquestionably un-measurable. Both the loose collective of Los Angeles artists and the ’94 compilation album of the same name have made more progressive strides for an underground movement than any other related occurrence/release. Musically influencing all types of artists across the globe while simultaneously introducing the world to some of Hip-Hop’s more daring and creative members. Namely ¼ of Freestyle Fellowship and the granddaddy of Abstract Rude & Tribe Unique, also known as The A-Team or yet better referred to as, Aceyalone and Abstract Rude. Both of whom are the masterminds behind this highly revolutionary and extremely un-findable (until the repress) double album. From Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Anticon, Project Blowed has been a template of innovation. This album played the nucleus of west-coast underground, ultimately spreading to heads across the world, throwing up W’s before Ice Cube even knew what one was. Find an artist who feels as though they are pushing the envelope in some way or another and at least some kind of attribution will be made to the Blowed or its affiliates.

“Dynamic as a dinosaur in modern-day times” states Acey in the liner notes. So what better to commence this affair than with “Jurassick”. The whining of synths mesh with the slow roll of drums, highlighting what then was nothing less than revolutionary vocalization provided by Acey, Spoon Iodine, and the brothers of the Chillin’ Villian Empire (C.V.E.). In fact, Ace and Ab pop up regularly throughout the project adding a nice balance to the 20 cut extravaganza. “Hot” pairs the Freestyle Fellowship with the live instrumentation of The Underground Railroad on one of the foursome’s classic efforts. The combinations of the scatterbrain rhythmicals they’ve become notorious for along side an intertwining narrative, the four leave the listener in awe. But no narrative is like that of Acey and Ab’s (with the help of Fat Jack) whimsical romp of physchodelic proportions entitled “Maskaraid Part 1 & 2″. Fat Jack guides the two quite successfully as they sway with their signature ease throughout what definitely won’t be their last party yall. “Treble & Bass” follows immediately as the two switch into yet another lyrical persona, adjusted more for the braggadocio in us.

While the A-Team do their thing through out, they are in no way the only Project Blizowdians to set the standards for innovation. The Nonce gets busy on the original version of “Mix Tapes” while a slew of crew members make history once again on the second installment of the triology, “Heavyweights Round 2″ featuring the all-star cast of P.E.A.C.E., T-Love, Acey, Nefertiti, Self Jupiter, BJ, Ganjah K, Medusa, Ko Ko, Mikah 9 and Volume 10 . Being the re-issue it is, there is some obviously dated material, falling victim to overly abused samples more than anything, Tray-Loc’s “Once Upon A Freak” and DK Toon’s “Solo Is So Low” unfortunately don’t stand the test of time.

If we were to measure in biting (as in artistically stolen ideas and concepts) or what some might call “influences” in contemporary “underground” Hip-Hop, Project Blowed ranks number one. While artists like DJ Shadow and Company Flow have undoubtedly made their mark upon numerous new-jacks, The Blowed is the original article upon which has been duplicated over and over, continuously to this point in time. This album is just a small recorded testament to a truly revolutionary movement, that even to this day, not too many heads really know about, and probably aren’t even ready for it.