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J. Rawls and Sadat X Speak On "The Hip-Hop Affect"

Pizzo — Sat, 21 May 2011 23:50:50 +0000

J. Rawls and Sadat X speak on their influences and the new project, The Hip-Hop Affect.

J. Sands (Lone Catalysts) – “Please” (Video)

Pizzo — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:18:59 +0000

Taken from J. Sands’ The Poet Tree of Life LP.

Lone Catalysts – Good Music

Andreas Hale — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 07:00:00 +0000

     It’s been awhile since J Rawls and J Sands dropped an album together. The much heralded Lone Catalysts have been virtually invisible – sans a few J Rawls releases – since they dropped the critically acclaimed Hip-Hop back in 2001. So, while we have sat and been drilled with crappy release after crappy release, the Lone Cats have been crafting their new album with another simple title and a message portraying what they are all about – Good Music. Will J Rawls and J Sands rise to the occasion and deliver a much needed album filled with true school hip hop? Or will they fall to the wayside and try to do too much and make the opposite of what the title suggests?

     The intro alone speaks in volumes about what the Lone Catalysts are all about. “We’ve been waiting for so long/waiting to play for you some of our songs” before bumrushing into the scorching “Brothers Keeper.” It is evident off the top that the two haven’t lost a step since Hip Hop and plan to keep the Good Music coming. The beautifully landscaped “Ones We Miss” is a wonderful ode to the legends that have passed over the past few years. Sands rides the beautiful sample paying homage to those who have influenced him and many of us over time. “Once Before” almost feels Reflection Eternal-like with its moody production and laid back ambiance. Rawls comes correct with a lovely backdrop as Jonell and Tavaris delicately croon over the track without it sounding as if it is too much for the listener to handle. Sands is able to breeze though a plethora of topics. From simple love and growth (“The Right”) to the braggadocios (“Bad Music”) to the introspective (“The Ultimate”), J Sands does a solid job of blessing each and every topic.

     While their previous venture was almost completely void of guest spots, Good Music packs a few of the homies in for the ride. In a play of lyrical dexterity, Mr. Complex, Wordsworth, Lil Sci, Thes One, PA Flex and El Da Sensei join J Sands to leap in for the rapping relay race “100 Bar Dash.” Each coming correct amidst the groovy J Rawls beat, “100 Bar Dash” is a reminder of what posse cuts should sound like. Donte (from Mood) and lyrical upstart Piakhan elegantly bless “La, La, La, La” which is yet another solid Rawls offering. Masta Ace pairs up with J Sands to speak on some ill fated journeys for “Taboo” while Grap Luva, Asheru and Sistah Shelli spill their guts on “L.I.F.E.”

     If there is anything that one could nitpick about it would be that J Sands hasn’t “evolved” much as an emcee. Finicky listeners would like to see Sands switch up his style every now and then, and possibly experiment with different flows. But given the fact that J Rawls has provided some excellent production within Good Music, that nitpicking soon becomes a moot point. As a matter of fact, if J Rawls isn’t boosted into the hierarchy of premier beat makers with Good Music then the hip hop community is doing itself a serious disservice. They may not be lining their walls with gold and platinum plaques yet but Lone Catalysts easily accomplish what they set out to do- give you some “Good Music.”

Lone Catalysts – Hip Hop

Peter Agoston — Mon, 01 Jan 2001 07:00:00 +0000

The Pittsburgh to Cincinnati duo of J. Rawls and J. Sands are Hip-Hop personified, from Sands off-beat lyrical sidestep to Rawls sublime musical subtleties, the two have risen above the blase’ marketeers to become a respectable pair for 2001 and beyond. The Lone Catalysts’ sound isn’t abrasive or mind-altering, rather it’s subdued, with a producer/emcee relationship reminiscent Premier and Guru on Step Into The Arena. With the independently released (Groove Attack version on deck) Hip-Hop, Rawls and Sands present an unwavering character true and unique to each of their songs.

Hip-Hop tracks in at 15 joints, running with the ball as much of their previously released material has, and for those that missed out on the singles, they’ve included a hefty bonus selection of 6 additional tracks from the past years. Whether you need some casual background bumps or a walkman companion, Hip-Hop takes care of business. From the uppity anthem “Place to Be” to the melodious title track, quality exudes. Even their less boom-bap oriented works like “Xtinction” and “Politix” prove successful. Yet it’s the highly rotated “Due Process” that may garner the most spins, joining longtime associate Talib Kweli along with newcomer Rubix, epitomizing the formula that is the Lone Cat sound.

With an already impressive catalog of material from both Rawls and Sands together, (not to mention on the side) this is only the beginning of the slow bullet the Lone Catalysts have bucked at the Hip-Hop industry. Simple, to the point, Hip-Hop.