Although only really a stop-gap mini-album, BEANS' previous release "Now Soon Someday" (February 2004) was actually a cool introduction to the minimal, low-riding hip-hip sounds and frantic, hectoring MC-ing that are the trademarks of this exciting NYC-based character.
"Down By Law" is the trailer single for Beans' new (second proper) album "Shock City Maverick" and it suggests this will again be worth shelling out for. It's not quite in the same league as the mini-LP's standout track "Gold Skull", but its' dubby premise and looming minimalism are a fine, 21st Century updating of some of the street-tuff NYC sounds paraded on the recent Don Letts-curated "Dread Meets B-Boys Downtown" collection and couldn't possibly hail from anywhere other than the Big Apple.
Beans' verbal delivery is frighteningly fast, like the Beasties after jumping bean enemas and the subject matter appears to take on law enforcement, racial (dis)harmony and keepin' it real, all rolled into one. Phew. Whatever, the compelling "In the air like this, everybody wave your hands in the air like this" chorus soon batters you into sumission after a couple of listens, and - as ever - your mind's boggling to keep in touch with Beans' lyrical invective the rest of the time.
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The single includes another album standout, "Blind Driver", which again revels in the subterranean bass promise, spooked out noises off and Beans tossing out kool gear like : "Demon rocker possessed, Linda Blair beware, this scissor fight literal free as a bird". Ya got that? No? Well, there's plenty more to chew on, believe me.
With his cut-ups, dubby menace, lyrical dexterity and NYC flowing though his veins like subway tracks, Beans is one of very few modern day hip-hop artists your reviewer would cross Times Square for. The album should be quite something.
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