May 3–10, 2001

cd reviews|hip-hop

Moka Only

Lime Green

(Battle Axe Records)

Vancouver probably isn’t high on anyone’s list of hip-hop hotbeds. But Moka Only’s Lime Green challenges all preconceived notions about our mild-mannered neighbors of the Great White North. MO’s name may be familiar to Napster-heads and the college hip-hop radio set (for his one-time allegiance with Vancouver crew Swollen Members), but despite a slew of indie and out-of-the-trunk releases, MO is mostly unknown. On Lime Green, MO crosscuts styles from straight underground to hardcore to borderline alterna-rap. Borrowing bits and pieces from the West Coast cerebral tradition trailblazed by such artists as Freestyle Fellowship/Aceyalone and The Pharcyde, MO amasses a credibly lucid style. While his vocal tone is similar to that of Common, his flavor tends more toward the abstract. Some of the synth-heavy production is monotonous but MO’s effortless style and precise lyrical timing add enough spice to his own wistful production efforts. The more melodic tracks such as "Teamwork" featuring LMNO seem to mesh better with Moka’s jazzy leanings but it is the more rugged "Crunch" featuring Swollen Members that gives this album a backbone. The overall vibe here is on the blunted, laid-back end, adding a little balance to the floss and gloss world of aftermath hip-hop.

—M.F. Di Bella