Ourselves and .... Nas, Andre 3000, Gnarls Barkley, Mos Def, The Roots, Jay-Z, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nina Simone, Redman, The Killers, Queens of The Stone Age, System of a Down, Boot Camp Click, The Wu and the love of making music.
UE: 'Tragedy 2 Triumph'
as reviewed by Susan 'susiQ' Kim
Music Vibes: 8 of 10
Lyric Vibes: 9 of 10
TOTAL Vibes: 8.5 of 10
The New Jersey duo of Upper Echelon consisting of Caliph and Tunde represents "a higher level of awareness in our music and ultimately in our state of mind." After many individual, independent releases of their own, the two come together in "Tragedy 2 Triumph" to narrate the accounts of two separate lives, two stories, two missions and how they eventually come together to initiate a merging art form.
Upper Echelon shows their many talents with tracks that run the gamut of subject matter both reflective and lighthearted. There is a track for every kind of listener whether it is about continued existence or good-humored amusement. "Tragedy 2 Triumph" exemplifies the profound lyricism and poetry of Caliph and Tunde of UE with their use of words and intelligence to tell a story of their journeys past and present.
Instead of "Tragedy 2 Triumph" should have been called "Burning Star," a metaphor used continuously throughout the album to instill the positive message to try and reach astronomical heights as epitomized in "Show Me the Way":
"Life is a beautiful thing or it can be a terrible thing
It's all about choice
Your perspective on the whole thing
That's the beautiful thing about being human
Free will
Choice
A star in the sky doen's get to decide whether or not it wants to shine, but you do
So what do you choose?
Do you want to be a burning star or a black hole?
The world is a ferocious stream
That's filled up with lost souls and broken dreams
And few dare to challenge the current
A balance the torrent
Instead most go with the flow... downstream
So those childhood dreams now seem so unattainable
So out of their grasp
That they no longer reach for 'em
That hour has passed
The warrior been turned into a coward at last
And the devil does its victory dance
And the world is once again cheated
And God is defeated
Complacency... that's the demon in disguise"
Resuming the theme with an upbeat, the positive awareness of survival is also seen in tracks such as the "Look Alive" featuring Kurayjus, to encourage the truth about staying both aware and alert. It features a hype, yet classic rock feel packed full of electric guitars and horns to revert back to an eclectic experience. Heavy drums and guitar are featured in "Morning Glow" as sped up lyricism feeds the amplified energy in the track. Over a simple beat with horns and hard doubled up bass, the struggle to build the impossible into something possible, while looking beyond the misfortunes in "Tragedy" features the singing of Natalie Desir.
The album features many sampled tracks such as a twist to A Tribe Called Quest's "Award Tour" in UE's "Back in a Year" and modifies the lyrics to a new "World Tour" instead. It describes a year full of defiance while touring the world. While on tour and passing through ATL, Tunde's clever and humorous approach of beginning a lyrical sequence rather than speaking while leaving a message on a voicemail to an unsuspecting "Bernadette" is imaginative as he says:
"You probably got a man by now I'm sure
But I was still hoping you'd be open to the idea to explore
The idea of me swooping you off the floor
For just one night then I'm back on my tour
I'm staying in room 112 by the pier
Don't call me back just come right here
I let the front desk give you the clear
If you don't see me now I'll be back in a..."
Another sampled amusement is featured in "Heatwave" reminiscent of Martha Reeves and The Vandellas' 1963 hit "Heat Wave." With a mixture of old and new school flair with organs in the background, the track embodies the once classic song into a type of hip hop enlightenment to reveal the heat that comes with UE's progression in music.
UE touches upon highlighted, poignant moments in the album that cover the past and the future including "Things R Changing." Caliph remembers his mother "Midiah" who has passed and shows how life has transformed into something remarkable with the rise of his music and birth of his son. On the other side of spectrum Caliph dedicates the bonus track "Hey Son" to his child as the legacy of his family lives on through him.
Upper Echelon has successfully embraced the story of "Tragedy 2 Triumph" through the wide array of unmatched tracks and beats as I can honestly say that I cannot compare them to any other artists. With their fresh, new style and lyricism to amaze the masses, the variety of tracks includes insightful, yet witty wordplay, the trials and tribulations of an artist, and audible sounds created from their own brainchild. Their expedition through the album becomes an integration of a known familiar territory for each. With this in mind, the end to numerous tragedies and the beginning of many triumphs for UE has commenced.
BUY UE's NEW CD 'TRAGEDY 2 TRIUMPH' NOW!! CLICK BELOW!
BIO
Up-per Ech-e-lon n.
1. The higher level of responsibility, rank, or authority.
UE is currently in the studio working on the their 2nd Release, as well as continuing to perform songs off of their debut album "Tragedy 2 Triumph."
The release of their first album "Tragedy 2 Triumph" earned them raving reviews from critics as well as honorarable awards. At the top of the list of UE's major accomplishments was the 2007 Underground Music Award for "Best Rap Duo." Also, their heart-felt hip hop ballad "Things R Changing" earned them a nomination for Song of the Year in the 2007 UMA's. And their electrifying performance of "Look Alive" earned them yet another nomination for "Best Performance" in the 2007 UMA's ceremony that took place in BB Kings NYC. In addition to the UMA's, UE has also placed first in the prestigious 1 Draftpick Showcase and First place in the renowned Faces in the Crowd Showcase that both take place in NYC.
UE's entrance into the Hip Hop world has been quoted as a "Breath of Fresh Air" by Rap Fanatic magazine. When their debut album "Tragedy 2 Triumph" was released the critics immediately took attention to the quality of the production of the music. The whole album was produced by the group themselves. Steve Mack from Okayplayer.com quotes "Caliph and Tunde know what sound they are looking for, the production on this album is almost flawless." Although Rapreviews.com refers to UE's production as "audible sounds created from their own brainchild," the group gives credit to Hip Hop influences such as Outkast, and a Tribe Called Quest, Rock N Roll influences such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, and Rhythm and Blues influences such as the Four Tops and Frankie Beverly and Maze.
Along with the unique music production of "Tragedy 2 Triumph" comes witty, yet insightful songwriting that has received equal praise from the critics and fans . Tunde and Caliph of UE have found the median in their lyrics to be able to express true feelings and concepts in an entertaining fashion. Their diverse taste in music reflects in their range of lyrics and subject matter. Okayplayer.com writes "Tunde and Caliph are quality lyricists who have the innate ability to metamorphose their talents to fit any style of song." Rap Fanatic Magazine further quotes: "UE utilize witty wordplay, a variety of subject matter and, most importantly, are unafraid to have fun with their music bringing a refreshing golden age era sensibility to the current landscape."
As "Tragedy 2 Triumph" earns critical acclaim, UE continues to perform songs in various venues in the tri-state area. As the winners of two major showcases in NYC and performances in most of the major venues in NYC, UE has proven that artists can still put on an entertaining and electric live show with nothing but a showtrack and 2 mics. Whether it's a heart-felt emotional ballad like "Things R Changing" or an Energy Driven Rock and Soul Hip Hop jam like "Look Alive," UE commits themselves to leaving everything on the stage during their performances. UE continues to burn the stage up and leave home with more fans than they came in with.
The reviews and accomplishments are great, but they are only a reflection of what UE is. UE is short for Upper Echelon which means higher level. They are 2 men who are constantly striving to push the envelope in their genre of music and inspire their listeners to strive higher in all of their endeavors. UE inspires people to step outside of the box and show their uniquness. This state of mind and perspective is what has allowed UE to stand out from the masses of uniformed artists that saturate the genre.
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how are you doing? It's been a while, hope things are still going well with your music...and hopefully one day we..ll get to see you guys here in Denmark/ Copenhagen
Your tracks have been keeping me warm through the winter cool, stopping in to show some luv to my favorite upcoming group. All things great in 08'fellas.
Hey whats going on? Congrats on the Underground Award and the feature on allhiphop.com keep doing yall thing an being original. God Bless. I'll see yall when you come back to Orlando.
Is it true that crack families cook out the same pot they piss in? I think I remember you telling me that once. lol. When am I gonna hear the UE greatest hitz album? Maybe you'll even add some previously un-released tracks from the new moon cult. I'll be waiting.
