West Coast Performer Magazine: Show Of The Month (August ’08)

this is in the August issue of West Coast Performer... check it out! http://performermag.com/wcp.livereviews.0808.php

SHOW OF THE MONTH

Noise For The Needy Festival
Talib Kweli / Common Market / Gabriel Teodros / Grayskul
Showbox at the Market | Seattle, WA | June 15, 2008



The final night of the 2008 Noise for the Needy Festival saw a stacked bill of Seattle hip-hop, capped off with a set from Brooklyn's own Talib Kweli. Grayskul began the evening authoritatively, wielding an impressive range from quick, synth-driven tracks to others that traversed moodier, more contemplative territory. Without the props and unnecessary theatrics of some of their previous shows (snowy TV sets onstage, a rock-oriented live bassist, etc.), the group could play to their strengths, emphasizing the dynamic, complimentary styles of MCs JFK and Onry Ozzborn.

Up next was Gabriel Teodros, whose well-constructed set served to ramp up the energy level in the room considerably. He started off with a couple of relatively laidback songs and quickly invited a tap dancer onstage. This experiment, though admirable for its spontaneous feel, ended up being most effective whenever the DJ dropped out. With the busy footwork as additional accompaniment, any slight deviations from the pocket were somewhat jarring against the ironclad consistency of the turntables. Soon after, Teodros' set enjoyed a major boost from fellow Abyssinian Creole member Khingz, who seemed to feed off of the enthusiastic crowd. Teodros then rode the wave of momentum and passionately asserted his cultural identity with a cluster of songs focusing more overtly on social commentary. From there, his sense of conviction and celebratory mood carried it through to the end.

Rounding out the local contingent, Common Market's Sabzi and RA Scion were welcomed with a tremendous response. The duo came out swinging, ripping through single verses from a barrage of newer songs in the early going. Having just released the Black Patch War EP, and with the full length Tobacco Road being prepped for a September 9 release, there was plenty of fresh material to draw from. EP highlight "Trouble Is" worked particularly well in the live setting with its furiously paced double-time sections and Sabzi's startlingly convincing backup vocals. Guests included 2007 American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis and Geologic from Blue Scholars.

After a full three-course meal of hip-hop, headliner Talib Kweli faced the challenge of taking the stage after midnight on a Sunday evening. The audience proved resilient, however, and the Brooklyn-born MC was able to keep things moving even into the wee hours. His set mainly focused on the more accessible material from his latest effort, Eardrum, while occasional selections from the Reflection Eternal album, Train of Thought, provided a welcome contrast.

-Review by William Cremin; photos by Fel Pajimula