Hieroglyphics

The second installment of Hieroglyphic oldies (also cassette- and online-only) mines roughly the same plush beginnings ('91 and '92, mostly) of the crew's recorded history and hits with the same force. If anything, the Hiero crew saved the slightly tougher cuts for this collection of early archival recordings, even drawing lyrical blood on occasion, beginning right off with Del the Funkee Homosapien's "Pistol Whippers" and the Souls of Mischief's "Break A Leg," both of whose sentiments sound sincere. It is also a much more bare-bones collection, including no less than ten 4-track recordings by various members. In that sense, it is less overtly trippy, though there are still plenty of syrupy, sly basslines, chirping keyboards, horns and vibraphones, but those play themselves out in a much jazzier fashion in these songs. They are only vaguely psychedelic this time around. And it does not matter, because the production is just as accomplished. It is lyrical dexterity, anyway, that makes the Hieroglyphic crew special, and that is abundant on Hiero Oldies II. Besides the always phenomenal Del and the grossly underrated Souls (the pointed "Cab Fare"), Casual shines on grittier cuts such as "Fear No Evil" and Pep Love & Jaybiz are revelatory on the mellow "Everyday of the Week." Not everything clicks on the collection; a few songs fall flat or never get off the ground, especially on the second side. But the musical soundscapes and lyrical flights of fancy on a Hieroglyphics album are so varied that the dull spots are barely noticeable. ~ Stanton Swihart, All Music Guide