SOUL POSITION

(Rhymesayers) Critically acclaimed often means commercially overlooked. Soul Position may not be able to shake that trend on Things Go Better With Rj And Al, but they certainly won't disappoint the underground fan base they gained on 8 Million Stories. Ever the versatile producer, RJ (as in D2) flips a brassy, sassy funk on "Hand-Me-Downs" while Blueprint rails against black stereotypes: "Rap nowadays is by a bunch of ignorant cats/no young gifted and black, just guns, bitches and crack/I react by turning off BET." Maybe now Robert L. Johnson can find a new source for his ire other than Aaron McGruder. You can recommend any track on this release to friends without fear, but the creativity of "I Need My Minutes," the horny horn jam "Keys" and the education but not didactic "Cool Thing to Do" stand out. The mainstream may sleep on RJ and AL, but you don't have to make the same mistake.
Steve "Flash" Juon

Ever since coming together as Soul Position in 2001, Columbus, OH natives Blueprint and RJD2 have had their hands full with more solo work and side projects than most MCs or producers could fathom. When not crafting instrumental masterworks like Dead Ringer, RJ can be found producing for MCs like Aceyalone or providing remixes for non-hip-hop acts like Massive Attack. Meanwhile Blueprint has recently made quite a name for himself as a MC/producer extraordinaire with the stellar album 1988 and continues to knock out tracks with his original crew, Greenhouse Effect and fellow Columbus rep Illogic. Yet, as two of the hardest working heads in hip-hop, this duo still manages to find time to unite as Soul Position and produce some of the most sought after beats and rhymes out today.

With the always spirited ‘Print on the mic and RJ deftly manning the boards, this pair caught the underground by storm with their 6-song EP Unlimited in 2002. Only a year later they got heads listening a lot more closely with 2003’s pensive full-length debut, Eight Million Stories.

As Blueprint expresses through Soul Position’s new material, it was a long, sometimes uncertain road from when they recorded Eight Million Stories until now. But with the duo back in action, as their new album’s title says, Things Go Better With RJ and Al. On this well-balanced release, ‘Print delves into a greater variety of subject matter than ever, as he speaks on reshaping the Black identity in hip-hop and, on the lighter side, warns people not to waste his precious cell phone minutes. And as usual, RJ mines an abundance of funky samples for his partner in rhyme to enthusiastically rhyme over. On their new album, Soul Position dodges the dreaded sophomore jinx and delivers yet another gimmick-free release that’s sure to be one of the most talked about records of 2006.

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Music

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SOUL POSITION
THINGS GO BETTER WITH RJ & AL
Add To Cart | iTunes

Rjd2 and Blueprint return with the sophmore follow up to 2003's poignant 8,000,000 Stories. Both accomplished solo artists, you may know Rj from his two critically acclaimed albums Deadringer & Since We Last Spoke or his numerous production credits for artists like Aesop Rock, Cannibal Ox, EL-P, Aceyalone, Massive Attack or Unkle. You may know Blueprint for his solo debut 1988 or his work with his group Greenhouse Effect and fellow weightless mc Illogic, but when these two join forces they form one of the most cohesive one mc/one producer duos in Hip Hop. Blending the light hearted fun of the Unlimited Ep with the emotionally charged storytelling of 8,000,000 Stories ultimately proves that Things Go Better With Rj & Al.

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SOUL POSITION
HAND-ME-DOWNS 12" Single
Add To Cart | iTunes

Hand-Me-Downs is the lead single from the upcoming album Things Go Better With RJ And AL. Picking up right where they left off with 2003's stellar debut 8,000,000 Stories, RJD2 and Blueprint start things off strong with the A side banger "Hand-Me-Downs". The B side features some signature Blueprint humor and wit over another classic RJ soundscape on "Blame It On The Jager". Once again RJ and Blueprint prove themselves to be one of the best producer/mc duo's in the game.

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SOUL POSITION
8 MILLION STORIES
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8 Million Stories is a beautifully balanced album, ranging from spirited braggadocio battle raps to equal parts real life, insightful song writing. With RJ's meticulous Hip Hop melodies and Blueprint's charismatic heart felt flow 8 Million Stories will undeniably be one of the most notable releases of 2003.

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SOUL POSITION
8 MILLION STORIES INSTRUMENTALS
Add To Cart | iTunes

Whether you're an aspiring mc looking for freestyle beats or you're an instrumental enthusiast, RJD2's beautifully structured beats are sure to please. 8 MIllion Stories Instrumentals also features the bonus remix of "Inhale" the only track with Blueprint vocals, the "Inhale" remix is unreleased and exclusive to the instrumental cd and 12inch.

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SOUL POSITION
UNLIMITED EP
Add To Cart | iTunes

What do you get when you combine one of the most charismatic mc's (Blueprint), and a super producer (RJD2) whose music is as meticulous as it is beautiful? Answer: Soul Position. This six track ep will take you on a musical journey from braggadocio battle raps, lessons on sensible thinking to an often forgotten element of hip hop, the uptempo dance anthem. The Unlimited EP should hold fans over until the spring '03 release of the Soul Position debut LP 8 Million Stories.

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Downloads
Soul Position Hand-Me-Downs Things Go Better With RJ and Al