#kyla1908

by @Kyla1908 for WeSpeakVolumes.com

soul

  /soʊl/

[sohl]

 –noun

1.

the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.

cin·e·ma

   /ˈsɪnəmə/

[sin-uh-muh]

–noun

1.

motion pictures collectively, as an art.

  alpha.live: Soul CineMa

  The 5th solo project from one of Indy Hip Hop's most faithful representers, alpha.live, is arguably his most transparent project to date. The title itself, "Soul CineMa", gives you a premonition as to what you are about to experience: an unadulterated baring of his soul.I have always admired the willingness of an artist - whether a rapper, poet, singer, thespian, dancer, etc. - to completely invite the audience into their most raw and intimate emotions. This project offers nothing short of that.  alpha.live's ability to profess his success and shortcomings in a manner that neither begs your sympathy nor requires an ego filter allows him to seamlessly deliver track after engaging track.  Beginning with numero uno, "DiSek", alpha gives us a glimpse into the thought process he had going into this album. At this point, I knew that the lyrical composition of this particular listening session would require multiple playbacks of each track. If you have followed alpha.live's career, it will come as no surprise to you that he pours his heart and soul into each verse. This album, however, is so reflective of his life at this very moment, that the poignant reflection of relationships, successes, failures, fatherhood, and emotional rollercoasters are magnetic to your own human nature. And the tip of the iceburg is that the album is infused with audio clips from recognizable films that serve as shoelaces tying the entire sneaker of “Soul CineMa” together.

  This review is not meant  to give you a breakdown of each song lyric by lyric because the composer of this piece REALLY wants you to go download your FREE copy of the album. What I WILL do, however, is give you some insight into one of the most play worthy projects of 2011. Once I grabbed a handful of the delightful blend that is caramel and cheese popcorn from Popcornopolis (which is FIRE by the way), I sat back and completely indulged myself into the depths of "Soul CineMa". The 2nd track, "Panic", details the once beloved brotherhood of one of Indy's favorite rap groups, Trilogy, (of which alpha was an original member) and the ultimate rise and fall of their working relationship. alpha makes it very clear that his split from them was not a result of a falling out or disdain for the other members' personal interests, but more so an attempt to find his own way, and to truly develop his career as a stand-alone artist. You can literally FEEL his emotion and heartfelt passion as he pours it into this song. It's a plea for those who speculated and disapproved of his decision as a growing artist to separate from a place that became so comfortable that it was uncomfortable, to not only hear him out but to respect his butterfly mentality.  No artist wants to be kept inside of a box. No artist wants to feel stagnant. No artist wants to remain a caterpillar forever. Through it all, he makes it clear that the brotherhood remains, with lyrics like: "everybody's mother was one of the other's moms......and we never had a lot but what we had was a bond".

  As the album progresses, you find yourself escaping into the multidimensional world of alpha.live.  Track 5, "Offense" featuring DJ MetroGnome (one of the absolute best DJs you will ever hear or meet, btw)  finds alpha.live proclaiming himself as not only a phenomenal emcee, but one who appeals to the masses. It's a kinda Jay Z-esque confidence. A requirement for any rapper who plans to make it in an industry that often tries to completely alter your style to fit what the record label thinks will sell. This song is the answer to whether or not we ever have to worry about alpha doing that. The beat is infectious and will immediately have you bumping your head with the stank face (you know the one....when you hear a SICK beat and you can't keep your neck from getting as loose as a newborn baby....yeah, that one).

  alpha.live covers the many facets of the adult version of puppy love in "SkyTrak" featuring Kenye Fudiyah. From not wanting to like you to constantly revisiting your avi on twitter to trying to figure out a way to touch your hand.....we've all been there and were scared to admit it until now. Because somehow, alpha makes it seem okay. In a friendly, I'm-stalking-your-profile-because-I-don't-want-you-to-know-that-I-really-like-you-but-I-do type of way. It's a refreshing perspective of the cat and mouse game that is often played between men and women.

   One of my favorite tracks, "Blind", is the platform that alpha.live uses to address any and every doubt anyone cast on him or box they tried to put him in. It chronicles the revelation that people will always have something to say no matter what you do. In order to succeed and retain any amount of sanity, you can't allow that to stifle your productivity or take away from your confidence. You can't feel like you have to be held captive by the titles people put on you. Isn't that part of being an artist? To take advantage of "art" in any form? To GROW? People say yes, but act otherwise. As the song so eloquently puts it: "A blind man can see......that there's no love for me......"

   With appearances by standout artists such as Neo-Soul favorite Bashiri Asad and Indy newcomer Whitney Coleman, the entire album is one that can go from beginning to end without pause. Multiple times. It's sure to be the windows down, volume up, shades on banger of the summer. And when you do yourself the favor of attending an alpha.live experience........whether it's in two days, two weeks. or two months.........make sure you pay close attention to the passion in his presence, the genuine spirit and raw nature of an emotional emcee, and prepare yourself to witness his Soul CineMa.

    free album download link: