Essman – Esspionage Volume 1

The Detroit sound in Hip Hop is so distinct. It starts with that bass that hits the listener first in their heart, before it ever reaches their ear. That’s been true of the immortal J. Dilla, the phenomenal Black Milk and the iconic Eminem – three top-of-their-craft producers in different circles. Essman joins Mr. Porter and Wajeed as a producer with plenty of paid dues, that’s just now coming into the forefront as a unique brand. The Michigan native began his career working alongside artists like Proof and MC Breed, but more recently garnered acclaim as a composer and arranger to Sticky Fingaz‘ Rap-Opera A Day In The Life. With the essential next step being a producer’s compilation, Esspionage Volume 1 releases, that sees the late Proof and Breed, as well as emcees like Esham and Bishop Lamont spying on Essman’s superb production.

Interestingly enough, Essman is one of the top emcees on his own coming-out party. “Rock On,” featuring A.O.L. sees the frequent California visitor utilize a very casual flow that demonstrates a great deal of on-the-mic personality. However, “Rock On” also shows Esspionage‘s limits. Few of this compilation/mixtape’s songs are based in concept. ore or less, they are freestyles, bravado cuts, and the kinds of supreme cuts that made for great mixtapes, but felt like verbal scrimmages. An exception however, lies in Sticky Fingaz’ “Debo The Game” . Leaked to the web mid last year, this Auto-Tune-enhanced song is so quirky, so unkempt, that it was one of the best vocal-distortion reality checks of last year. It’s no “D.O.A.,” but the Onyx front-man rhymes about his Next Friday co-star, Tiny Lister’s character as a metaphor for his own 2009 industry shakedown.

At less than 40 minutes, Esspionage both values the listener’s time, but leaves them wanting more. The work fumbles a little bit. Esham’s “Eroll Flynn” is perplexing. Here, the Horror-core Michigan Rap veteran creates, what could easily be mistaken as a dance named after the debonair ’30s film actor. Esham may have outdone himself with weirdness this time, and the song fails to lose its stigma from its incessant chorus. Then again, Essman packs some interesting surprises. Often scrutinized in the Rap community, Tyrese’s “Black Ty” alter-ego really gets it right on “The System.” Joined by Bishop Lamont, this effort cries for help and prayer in the streets, while Essman supplies a slower bassline, accentuated by careful synth lines. Here, along with MC Breed, Proof and Obie Trice’s collaboration, “Focused,” the listener can hear the distinction in Essman’s sound, and the potential for true greatness in this CD. As the skies open for Detroit’s music sound once again, this man has his craft polished and a versatility that makes him accessible to many.

Esspionage is far from perfect. With its high valleys, come deep peaks. For Killa Will’s stellar home-from-prison freestyle, there’s Melanie Rutherford’s awkward “Real Love.” Based on its fluidity, this work is a mixtape much more than it could ever be revered as an album. However, that is not to say that the moments where Essman and his Detroit and California friends find their zone, that they are not spectacular. Along with Mr. Porter, this is one of the few producers who can tell the D’s story without forgetting its dark times, its triumphs and its golden legacy.

Purchase Esspionage – Vol 1. by Essman