Review: LMNO "Overtime" by Steady Rock

Big ups to the good people at Steady Rock who reviewed the latest LMNO LP Overtime. If you haven't copped it yet, it's free!

Over the past few years, LMNO has really taking hip hop's "hustle harder" mantra to a awe inspiring level, releasing volumes of quality music for fans to enjoy. He worked with some of the scene best and brightest names in front of and behind the mic, but I think this collaboration with producer LD is definitely one of his best projects so far. These two have a great musical chemistry, one that is arguably on-par with some of hip-hop's best emcee-producer combinations. Hopefully these two will continue to create amazing music together and keep "pushing that work" that the fans enjoy.

Read the full article here.

Album Review: LMNO "Overtime" by Scratched Vinyl

Thanks to Scratched Vinyl for reviewing LMNO's latest (and free) LP OVERTIME.

After the ambitious project of releasing ten albums in 2010, it would be completely understandable if LMNO took 2011 off. The Long Beach emcee wasn’t content to rest on his laurels, though, and dropped Overtime right at the end of December of 2011. Produced entirely by LD, they team up to bring us yet another collection of solid hip hop in the Visionaries member‘s catalog.

Read the full article here.

Record Review: LMNO - Tripping On This Journey

Bloggerhouse.net album review for LMNO's latest, Tripping On This Journey:



First things first, this has gotta’ be some kind of world record, LMNO’s “Tripping On This Journey” (which actually dropped on Tuesday, the 10th) marks Leave My Name Out’s 7th (!) full-length album of 2010. Of course, you’ll probably recall how we raved about LMNO last LP, his collaborative effort with Mr. Brady (Deep Rooted), “Banger Management”, but at some point you would have to think that LMNO would deplete his rhyme pool. Not the case my good friend. As with each album that arrived prior to “Tripping On This Journey” they (the albums) all battle with each other for LMNO’s top outing of the year. Really though, if you extracted 12-15 cuts from all LMNO’s albums that have dropped in 2010 and combined them into one final product, it would be very possible that you’d have an album that would contend for album of the year honors. Yet, what’s most awe-inspiring with each of LMNO’s collaborative LPs with the likes of the aforementioned Mr. Brady, Dert, Theory Hazit, etc., is that none of them have lacked “chemistry” or sound “rushed” or “forced” in the least bit, and that my friend, is a difficult chore to complete in this day and age. However, you’ve gotta’ give LMNO his props for his unmatched work ethic and flexibility when collaborating with all the different production personas.

Honestly, as much as I loved “Banger Management” (for one, being such a huge Deep Rooted fan), I was even more amped to review “Tripping..” when I discovered that the producer whom would be paired with LMNO on this album would be the man responsible for my 2nd favorite cut of 2008. Hailing from Paris, France, my first introduction to the newest member of the Asideworldwide roster Astronote, was indeed via his production for for Now On’s “All You Ever Knew” (from their highly underrated LP, “Tomorrow Already”). I mean, “All You Ever Knew” isn’t just a track that was cool two years ago, I still probably play that track at the very minimum, every other day of the week. I’ve even read where fellow labelmate Buff-1 stated that “All You Ever Knew” is his favorite track of ALL-TIME! However, this is 2010, not 2008 and we’re talkin’ about “Tripping On This Journey”, not “Tomorrow Already”. Having already lent his production talents to the likes of Donwill, Talib Kweli, Buff1, Donwill, Joell Ortiz, Guilty Simpson and Mayer Hawthorne, Astronote is soon to be a household name with his performance on “Tripping..”.

As solid as LMNO has been ‘year ’round lyrically, it’s definitely a positive when you have a musical canvas courtesy of Astronote to rock over for 12 tracks. I can’t even front, this may very well be an LMNO “album” per se, as well as being released (as have all of LMNO’s LPs this year) on the Up Above imprint, yet Astronote’s star shines brighest on “Tripping..”. Don’t get it twisted, I’m not speaking in DJ Premier/Group Home terms, but rather Pete Rock/CL Smooth terms, if you feel me?

The album features what is quite possibly the best “opening” track that I’ve had the pleasure of listening to all year. The appropriately titled, “Opening Statement” which not only finds LMNO at his lyrical apex, but the Astronote production is jaw-dropping. With enough “build-up” to achieve the maximum adrenaline rush, “Opening Statement” is truly on some “Rocky entering the ring” type ‘ish, as this track has suited me quite well for my early morning workouts this week. The album’s first leak “Hard To Do” served as the perfect introduction to the LP, as the nice sample selection suits well with LMNO’s “in your face” verbal attack. My second favorite cut from the LP, “Face To Face” features a neck-jerking backdrop from Astro that incorporates elements of Funk and Electronica yet still has that “knock factor” to keep it street. Trust me, if you love the LabTechs and 14KT, Astronote is right up your alley.

Even though the album tails slighly off near it’s completion, I’d have no qualms what so ever stating that “Tripping On This Journey” would be a valid purchase for your CD/LP collection. With no features, yet again, LMNO has proved that he has an amazing ear for production, as well as being one of Hip-Hop’s most dedicated and open-minded emcees.

LMNO & Mr. Brady - Banger Management - OC Weekly Review

The good people at OC Weekly continue to cover LMNO's epic run of 10 albums in 2010. This time around, the subject is Banger Management, the incredible collaboration between LMNO and Mr. Brady. Check the review in full below:

The Hype: Getting over the hump on his 10-album endeavor, our Long Beach rapper-in-residence LMNO released his sixth aural offering alongside rastafied, San Diego rapper, Mr. Brady. Teaming up to record Banger Management (released July 6 on Up Above Records), we see LMNO finally working with a cat in the same state. Brady happens to be one of his dopest collaborators thus far--and that's not just West coast favoritism. A former recording artist for Battle Axe Records, co-founder of SD hip-hop hybrid, Deep Rooted, and beatsmith for artists like Killah Priest and Blu, his talents were bound to positively alter LMNO's hip-hop universe.

The Judgment: Blips, bloops and 8 bit-beats abound on LMNO's latest collab with Mr. Brady. Even though these aren't the sounds you'd anticipate from an album titled Banger Management, there are some odd and diverse beat structures, tailor made to create a soundtrack to your next video game/toke session. That's the best utilization we can think of for this album. Maybe it's because Brady sounds high as fuck during most of it. His loose baritone flows sit well in the lucid, Brick Breaker dreamscapes created on joints like "Original" and the aptly-titled "Arcade," featuring other (less impressive) verses by Declaime and MED. As for LMNO, is delivery is hit or miss. Buzzing, oddly timed beats tend to clash with his enunciated, herky-jerky flows.

Though Brady's production leans towards the pedigree of Flying Lotus, at times some of the boom bap elements fall into a sterile trend. The middle tracks bleed together into something you can't wait to fast forward. But the album finds itself again quickly, thanks to LMNO's razor sharp delivery of "Climate," which will snap you back to attention all the way to the album closer, "Hands-Up." We wonder why they save the one bass-rattling song that really bangs until the very end. But hey, at least it's there. Like we said, this is a gamer's album. You're gonna need a solid hour on the couch with PS3 controller in hand and a bong at arms distance to really get into it.

Selective Hearing Part 2 - URB Magazine Album Review

URB Magazine comes through with one of the best Album Reviews yet! LMNO & Kev Brown "Selective Hearing Part 2" in all digital stores now!



Long Beach native James Kelly and DC-based Kevin Brown have teamed up once again under their pseudonyms LMNO and Kev Brown, respectively, in an appropriate and highly anticipated return to their highly original and collaborative brainchild (and homage to) James Brown. Their original work was unleashed onto the world in 2008’s well-received and inventive Selective Hearing, a soulful serving of stylized beats and eloquent rhymes. With quality cuts like “The Beat Tape” and “The Cause,” James Brown threw down a debut of impressive caliber that established both LMNO and Kev Brown as a no-nonsense creative duo. Come 2010—James and Kev have been hard at work in the studio again, bringing new goodies to the faithful with their follow-up Selective Hearing Part 2. In part deux, LMNO and Kev Brown once again showcase their on-mic chemistry with accompanying flawless production that made their previous release a thoroughly satisfying listen. When one thinks of collaborative work in hip-hop, immediately what comes to mind is the host of remixes where an extra verse is added on in tacky fashion. Disclaimer: You won’t find this type of work here. In a true collaborative fashion, Selective Hearing Part 2 is a two-pronged endeavor; the combination of Kev Brown and LMNO is an unremitting, heavy-hitting, and clever interplay that illustrate each other’s diverse and complementary talents. As LMNO expresses of himself (and social networking) in his work on Good Gawd (featuring Hassaan Mackey), “I don’t appeal to the bitter. I never was a follower until Twitter.”

Selective Hearing Part 2 in many ways picks up exactly where the first album left off and is greatly expanded upon with original production coming straight from the mind of Kev Brown (who, like in the first release, is featured vocally—this time more prominently). The start studded guest vocals don’t lag too far behind either—guests like Chali 2na, Hassaan Mackey, Declaime, Kenn Starr and others lend their vocals to this ambitious musical project. The album begins on a very energetic note, the opener: “The Ultimate” sets off the album in an emphatic and decidedly hip-hop manner. Kev Brown and LMNO announce themselves as James Brown (JB’s) with appropriate funk/jazz/soul sample-based production reminiscent of some of the most iconic Pete Rock cuts. The second jam titled “James Brown” is one of the most stellar tracks on the album. This song really emphasizes the best of this duo, Kev Brown aptly lacing the track with some interesting rhymes (and brilliantly flipped samples) while LMNO awaits his vocal entrance (roughly a minute into the song)—and as is characteristic, LMNO comes correct with an uninhibited consciousness that comments on the staleness of the state of mainstream hip-hop. He rhymes: “It was stuffy, so we brought some ventilation—we need to air it with evaporation; to your video, radio and even your Playstation, James Brown flows with motivation.”

The first single release, “Ya Know” is a thoroughly headnodding and ingeniously sample-driven composition through a central multilayered chorus containing James Brown (the man himself) saying “Uh, with your bad self!” from the “Say It Loud (I’m Black and Proud)” original source. Kev Brown and James Kelly both employ conscious and multisyllabic rhyme schemes, which keep the pace of the music consistent, intelligibly moving from concept to concept. Kev Brown’s production is on point in this release and demonstrates his on and off-mic repertoire. The prolific LMNO can do no wrong; Kelly’s style is, as always, unique and identifiable as one that continually promotes positivity through the hip-hop art form. Other special tracks on this album include “Gotta Get It (featuring Kenn Starr)” and “Guaranteed (featuring Chali 2na of Jurassic 5).” Although I single these tracks out as my personal go-to favorites, all the tracks are accomplished and well authored in their own right. LMNO & Kev Brown’s music expresses the humor, reality and history of their experiences, always keeping their musical elements cohesive through their palpable on-mic chemistry. As James Kelly/LMNO says on another of the standout tracks on this album featuring Declaime and Mr. Brady, “James Brown we stay rocking, knocking down these doors ever so often; cause a reaction without bashing; we stay clashing with the speakers blasting!

Check out the first single off Selective Hearing Part 2 “Ya Know” and look out for LMNO and Kev Brown who are currently touring throughout the United States and Europe! If their recorded work in both Part 1 and 2 are any indication, their live show is bound to be off the hook!

Selective Hearing Part 2 - Gutter Magazine Album Review

Another stellar review for The JB's! Gutter Magazine praises "Selective Hearing Part 2" from front to back. Do yourself a favor people and cop the new album!



I've mentioned already that my favorite type of hip hop album one with chemistry between an emcee and a producer, which is in today's era is very rare in most cases. But not to worry, cuz in 2010 there is hope that good hip hop music being created.


Long Beach California's LMNO (Leave My Name Out) has teamed up with Landover, Maryland native producer Kev Brown, to bring a continued version of 2008's "Selective Hearing." Highly anticipated Part 2 pays homage to the late James Brown, with soulful chopped samples, and very intelligent rhymes.
This album is somewhat different then the first effort, even though it picks up where the first album left off and features Kev on the mic prominently as well as a vast amount of collabs from Kenn Starr (Low Budget), Kambir, Hassaan Mackey, Declaime, and Mr. Brady.

"The Ultimate" sets things off right in JB-inspired style with signature Kev Brown bass-lines and heavy dramatic drums and LMNO exchanging bars back and forth with Kev. On "Do it Again", JB gets a guest verse with LA legend emcee Trek Life on a joint based on how to bag chicks at hip hop shows. The hook is "we had a little time to talk, just enough to know that she's feeling the kid." and its backed with a neck snapping boom bap vibe sort of like a 70's sitcom or blaxploitation themed joint.

LMNO and Kev def give you what you need on "Guaranteed" feat. Jurassic Five's Chali 2na. This track is a good example of creative energy dope beats and dope rhymes, no concepts involved, 2na manhandles the beat with rhymes like, "while record execs play demos, in grey limos, I get this in, up in ya chin like jay leno". One of my favorite pieces from this album which was if im not mistaken a extra bonus track that never made "Selective Hearing" is called "James Brown" which consists of heavily chopped samples from an actual James Brown track. On it, Kev advises that we need to turn the radio down for the sake of the children, while LMNO gives computer nerds rhymes like "Log off, turn that blog off, caught off guard, this is that sawed of, engaged on the on slaught doing it to death." The head nodding and the first lead single "Ya Know", with cuts by LMNO's dj LD and the main himself James Brown on the hook from the original song "Say it Loud." LD cuts up Brown'd vocals by saying "Uh Your Bad Self." "Selective Hearing Part 2" accommodates the Aspiring Emcees, with L's Ecentric Rhymes, and for upcoming producers listening to how Kev flips samples.
LMNO and Kev Brown are currently on tour USA and soon Europe, so definitely support and this is a given gift for any hip hop lover. Check the first single "Ya Know"

Selective Hearing Part 2 - Above Ground Magazine Album Review

Above Ground Magazine were kind enough to review LMNO & Kev's latest masterpiece "Selective Hearing Part 2" (out now). Read the review in full below:



Heading into their 2nd collabo album together, the unlikely pair that is Cali underground staple and Visionaries LMNO and saavy Maryland beatsmith Kev Brown seem to be poised to become the best frequent collab duo this side of Murs and 9th Wonder…If you don’t believe me just go listen to their latest collab album Selective Hearing Part 2; a respectful bow in the direction of the music industry’s most prolific Soul man, the late James Brown.

The marks were all high after these two first took us on a jaunt through their sound clashing, and I’m pleased to say after this 2nd whirl the grades are equally impressive. Combining to form a force that they label “James Brown” (after LMNO’s 1st name and Kev’s last) the energy and raw aesthetic in this album’s music is probably the caliber of which the real Mr. James Brown would highly approve of. Fittingly at moments on this album Kev uses some samples from the late Godfather of Soul to highlight LMNO’s dense wordplay…The opening cut, “The Ultimate” is just damn near perfect as it finds Kev and L trading bars over a gloriously funky beat source.

While we’re not treated to a huge amount of music (there’s only 11 tracks here) what is contained is pure hip-hop at it’s highest underground degree. Kev’s minimalist, yet crafty beat stylings power heavy joints like “Kragenoff” and “We Stay Rockin”. There’s little to no filler to be found and if your browsing around for an album that’s strictly beats and rhymes oriented this is your top shelf choice. A particular track that jumped out as a personal favorite was the Trek Life assisted “Do It Again”, where Kev doled out perhaps his best vocal performance of the album over a raucously fun sound bed that sports excellently placed cymbal crashes.

The chemistry between Kev and L remains plentiful as things progress and the inclusion of some of Kev’s Low Budget fam only adds to the witches brew of insightful, hard line lyrics. Kenn Starr steals the show with a strong performance on the hypnotizing “Gotta Get It”; a satisfying offering no matter what your level of MC deciphering is. Not to be out done, LMNO flexes his Visionaries crew connections and has Chal 2na come through for a moment to bruise one of Kev’s strongest beat selections from the entire album. The former Jurassic 5′er is impressive and lends the pair one of his better verses in recent memory for the infectious banger that is “Guaranteed”.

Listening to Selective Hearing Part 2 there’s no doubt your focus will be consumed. Kev found a great stride with his beatwork & rhyming, and L is steadily improving into one of my fav. oddball delivery flowers the underground circuit has to offer. While they don’t re-invent the wheel, they do definitely provide ample Hip-Hop themes that stir up the magic that thee original James Brown used in his un-flinching brand of funk…the fingerprint that the Hardest Working Man In Show Business left us is perhaps one of the greatest of any heavily sampled musician in Hip-Hop. The nod that Kev and L pay him here is dully appreciated and the type of task that is revisiting some of his work in a new way truly is only undertaken by the headiest of musical minds. The only thing that took away from this album being absolutely perfect was that it was simply just not long enough.

$17.99 out of $20

-Dominick “BIG D O” Ledezma

LMNO & Yann Kesz: URB Magazine Album Review

URB Magazine gave the LMNO & Yann Kesz album a solid 3.5 stars. Only one way to go, right James? UP!!!!

Here's the article in full:

LMNO (Leave My Name Out) has been a consistent rapper since the day he spit his first verse, yet remains grossly underrated. A member of the legendary Visionaries group, collaborator with Madlib and other prominent artists in the underground Los Angeles hip-hop scene such as Ras Kass and label-mate 2Mex, LMNO’s clinical style is a soothing and head nodding pleasure to listen. This time around, LMNO pairs up with France’s up-and-comer beat composer Yann Kesz in a laid-back and foundation-shattering album Devilish Dandruff and Holy Shampoo. Laced for precision, LMNO and Yann Kesz develop a great combination on the majority of the tracks on this album that lead to a diabolical complex of texture and illumination.

Never missing a beat, LMNO rhymes his way through this one with creative ease. Of particular significance in this album is “Creation of a Gun,” paramount to the creativity and catchiness of the surprisingly heavy spiritual underground sound. All over clean and wholesome, LMNO’s raps come through with an unexpected yet welcome conscious force. A street poet, LMNO makes reference to the many social ills affecting our world civilization, providing a thorough diagnosis to which he presents a radical religious awakening as its remedy. Featuring guest emcees JFK of Grayskul, producer Kev Brown (which he has worked with before on 2008’s Selective Hearing) among others, LMNO’s latest release provides a clear and strong presence of his emceeing skills—and of the great need for a positive direction among the “Many Options.”

Although pretty well known in underground circles, LMNO’s appeal should be much wider. His sound is infectious, his style is impenetrable, and his mic skills are ridiculously on point. LMNO is coming up in the game—guaran-expletive-teed. LMNO’s collaboration with Yann Kesz is just another entry on his rap résumé, and a welcome entry into the world of hip-hop music. Although the album is far from perfect, it’s a solid one from LMNO’s catalogue and a good introduction to his older more rugged releases. From the synthetic mass produced sounds of the present, LMNO’s work brings you back to the fibers without the excess—providing a thoughtful and effective elixir for the Devilish Dandruff with the one and only Holy Shampoo.