Jedi Mind Tricks Album: “Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell”

On their fifth release Vinnie and Stoupe craft what I believe to be their best effort yet. Say what you will about Vinnie's lyrics, but he brings it to your chest every time he spits. I personally don't find his lyrics offensive, but I think it's safe to say that JMT's stuff isn't for the easily offended. As far as the CD itself, Stoupe brings the heat on the boards. He's been dope and consistant from day one, so all you fans know what to expect. Though the album is laced with banger after banger (I'd say 16 of 19 joints are tight), I think the consensus on "Uncommon Valor" being the best track on the entire album is pretty much spot on. The mentality of Vietnam soldiers. Brilliant. Vinnie provides one side of the equation (the scared soldier that wants to just do his job and leave) while R.A. is the booze drinking, vietnamese women screwin' (his words, not mine), glory seeking, violence loving soldier looking to be a hero -- which also turns out to be a true story about his father. It's original and captivating in it's delivery. Hip Hop could definitely use more of that.

The DVD contains the video for "Heavy Metal Kings" which features Ill Bill and has a cameo by R.A. The Rugged Man. It also contains behind the scenes footage (Vinnie signing records, R.A. commentary, the making of the video, etc...).

You know, there isn't much wrong with this album. I found the three "bonus" tracks to be so-so (there are no wack tracks though), but what bores me the quickest is Vinnie P's cadence -- it never changes. Some will argue that if you've been down with JMT for a while then you should be used to that, and they're probably right, but I'm beginning to tire of the predictability of his cadence. No worries though, the content of his lyrics make up for it.

Servants In Heaven, Kings In Hell is one of the top ten '06 rap releases. Vinnie Paz and Stoupe have a consistant formula. No peaks and valleys, just steady, dependable production. With that being said, I think this is probably the first peak, because this is their best album in my humble opinion. I recommend adding this one to collection.

Standout Tracks: Heavy Metal Kings feat. Ill Bill, Shadow Business, Put 'Em In The Grave, Uncommon Valor feat. R.A. The Rugged Man (My Favorite), When All Light Dies, Black Winter Day, Razorblade Salvation, Outlive The War feat. Sean Price & Block McCloud, and Suicide

Im a long time jmt fan,the group's had high and low points, but this LP is by far their most accomplished set so far. Vinnie has moved on from just battle ryhmes ,on this album he makes references to everything from depression and the vietnam war to globalisation and the effects of slave labour.As usual his cadence is flawless ,he flows like the nile killing every track.He is only bettered by the quite phenomenal presance of RA the rugged man(Uncommon valour) who spits his trademark flows ,so sharp, so rhythmicly and with so much clarity that you ponder whether or not he may be the greatest MC alive today. Also stoupe's producion is superb. On previous albums he has sometimes fallen short , certain tracks have sounded like funkless funeral music, other times he opted for unfitting latin -influenced samples that hindered their creative process, but here is on point consistantly. His melodies are truly inspiring and always complemented by the raw snares that back them.Another pleasing development on this album is the use of a singer. Razorblade salvation has a hook so superb you'll be reloadin it forever. This is endemic of the whole album - its is very well produced - the productio values are excellent and vinnie has truly stepped his game up lyrically to make for a more thought provoking and evocative record.Plus guests like ill bill ,reef the lost cauze and sean price can never heart.

Not many albums come even close to Violent by Design but this is definately their best effort since. The production as usual is amazing. Stoupe is the most underrated in the game. Why he isn't getting the props of RZA or Premier is beyond me.

Track 4 alone is worth the price of the album. It is written from the viewpoint of American soldiers in Vietnam. RA the Rugged Man spits the most spine chilling verse I have ever heard, right up there with Nas in "I gave you power".

I can't stop listening to this album. The combination of the production and the lyrics are addictive. I recommend this classic to any hiphop fan.

If you have been a fan of jedi mind tricks for a while, and i mean you have their CDs, not just listen to some of their songs. Then you can agree with me that with ever release comes something different. That is what makes them so great, their ability to stay fresh, because you don't know what is coming next. JMT was one hip hop group that i was fully into, because that was when i started actually listening to hip hop and looking for CDs not just hearing songs on the radio. I bought everything they put out, so it is hard for me to say that something of theirs is wack and only give them a 3 star rating, but i swear this album is nasty. Stoupe comes so correct with the production although some songs sound similar, it doesn't matter. He is like a mix of premier and havoc, because he makes those great samples and has songs you can feel in your bones. "Heavy Metal Kings" is such a nasty song, the beat comes in so hard and just hypes you up for a fight. But one of my favorite songs is "Uncommon Valor"(A Vietnam Story) the story that Paz and R.A. the rugged man unfold is a horrific tail of two different prospectives on the Vietnam War, but it just has that erie feeling to it like as if you are watching Marten Sheen covered with mud popping out of the water in Apocalypse Now. Fans questioned JMT after their release of Visions of Ghandi, many thought that they were just a fluk but now they have proven that they are a very stable, and influential rap group that knows their history of hip hop and can still play in the world of today.

The Break Down 1-10 rating

1.Intro

2."Put Em In The Grave"- 9 (this beat is great and Vinnie is on point)

3."Suicide"- 6 (beat is good, but the hook is a little bit of a stretch)

4."Uncommon Valor"- 10 (Classic)

5."A Blood Red Path"- 7 (Paz goes straight with no hook)

6."When All Lights Dies"- 8 (Very good song that you listen and relax to)

7."Serenity In A Murder"- 9.5 (this songs is bangin, it is like d'evils)

8.Pariah Demise interlude

9."Heavy Metal Kings"- 10 (Classic)

10."Shadow Business"- 8 (Great Story about Slave Labor)

11.Triumph And Agony interlude (beat is nasty, lyrics to it would be nice)

12."Razorblade Salvation"- 10 (Classic, deep song)

13."Outlive The War"- 9.5 (Sean Price makes this song great)

14."Gutta Music"- 9 (Such a great beat, with lyrics to match)

15.Temples Of Ice interlude

16."Black Winter Day"-7 (Another deep Song to end a great album)

Though i dont dabble in underground hip hop much i will say that i am well versed in almost all music and have been following jmt since the beginning.

This cd is a radical change over the old style of jmt, in the beat production and lyrical content. Ill discuss paz 1st then stoupe 2nd.

Paz has matured immensely, his lyrics are much more meaningful and not about mindlessly bashing homosexuality and mainstream religions. Though i personally enjoyed his previous lyrics, because i beleive hip hop is war music and paz's old lyrics cover that base perfectly, many people found it to hardcore (no such thing imo). Now his lyrics are more than just "fluff" in the music, they are something to listen to and make realization. The vietnam song is probably one of the most consise examples of this. RA's part is extremely emotional for hip hop, it was almost like he was reciting poetry, very beautiful. though the female voice was enjoyable, it seemed to "pop" for me, it didnt seem to belong, but dont get me wrong it was still great.

As for Stoupe, i have to say his style does match the new, mature style of Paz, it lacks. Its not horrible, and i still think hes the best out there, but those amazing beats he made in such songs like Me ne Sballo, blood in blood out, and philosophy of horror are no longer present. Though his beats are still good, the audio garnishes are no longer present, also much of the cd has a very high harmonic sound that gets old. I also wish he would let that damn high pitched asian/chipmunk voice that has been plagueing his beats die. If he can bring back the old style he used in his beats rather than this static crap, and meld it into Paz's new style, jmt will be perfected.

That said in previous cds, Stoupe really was the "meat" of the tracks, while Vinnie was the "fluff" while now the roles have been reversed. Though the cd is amazing, i wish stoupe would have stayed at his peak. Next cd they will have it, im sure it will be nothing less than a masterpiece.