Tag: LMNO

LMNO – “3 Mimes & an Elephant” review

LMNO is a 51 year old MC from Long Beach, California known for being a member of the Visionaries. Making his solo debut over 2 decades ago with Leave My Name Out, he would go on to release a total of 17 more bodies of work under his own name with the most notable being the 10-disc James Kelly & the Madlib-produced 10:20. The last time I covered LMNO was when he formed the trio LMD in the fall of 2022 & put out an impressive debut called Flying High. So when I heard DJ D-Styles was fully producing the 19th LP in LMNO’s catalog, I knew it was gonna be quality considering D-Styles’ recent production run.

After an intro, the first song “A Dual with a Dual Edge” featuring Self Jupiter finds the 2 over a boom bap instrumental reflecting in coming from the bottom & jumping off the ledge before their wings began to spread whereas “Cross Examination” takes a funkier yet mellower approach not knowing what to do if he couldn’t create never tapping out. “Best to Lay Low” dabbles with rap rock preferring to sail the 7 seas instead of selling his soul leading into “Son of a Daughter” dustily talks about keeping babies out the street & never competing

“Hip Hop as Fuck” ruggedly breaks down the explanation of others either having it or not just before “Garlic Braid” was a great piano-driven single homaging the title track off Eric B. & Rakim’s sophomore effort down the hook & sample. “Bloody White Flags” deliriously suggests you find him if you want the smoke brought right to you directly while “Saved & Spent” drearily talks about giving thanks daily. “Out of Sight (Out of Mind)” featuring Blu closes the album with them flexing they daydream with night vision & their west coast underground statuses.

10:20 was easily the most I’ve enjoyed a solo effort from LMNO since After the Fact produced by Evidence over a decade ago & like I had expected, he & DJ D-Styles knock it out of the park with a follow-up halfway through the current decade that compensates the gap between the predecessor & now. D-Styles’ production similarly to Invincibl Rap Mislz & Beluga pushes the Beat Junkies sound forward with LMNO holding down the performances by himself like he did the last time we heard from him.

Score: 4.5/5

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LMD – “Flying High” review

LMD is a supergroup from California consisting of LMNO, M.E.D. & Declaime. One of whom initially saw success as a member of the Visionaries & the other 2 being childhood friends/longtime collaborators with Oxnard DJ/producer/emcee Madlib. The trio initially formed in the fall of 2010 but now a little over a decade later, they’re finally coming together for a full-length debut with The Beat Konducta behind the boards from top to bottom.

After the intro, the title track with some upbeat synthesizers & the trio delivering that feel good shit lyrically whereas “Advice” takes a dreamier route instrumentally as they send a heartfelt message about the fucked up music industry. “Pop Fly” is a rugged boom bap infused battle rap cut for all the battle rap heads out there, but then Fly Anakin tags along for the jazzy yet soulful “Kool” boasting how fly they all are.

“The Cypher” has a bit of a Bollywood influence to the beat as LMD giving us a fitting jam for weed smokers like myself & after the first skit, “Super” returns to a more dreamier aesthetic to spit some braggadocio just before the 80-second “Steppers” delivers a groovy dance anthem with some phenomenal back & forth delivery from the trio. The song “Birthday” has a funkier flare to it vividly describing having shitty born days & after the final skit, the penultimate track “High Skates” embraces a more electronic sound encouraging to get the bread. “Duwop” though is a grand closer to the album expressing their passion for music.

Even though the album got pushed back a handful of delays throughout the summer, Flying High was much worth it as a fan of all 3 members of LMD & someone who ranks Madlib as one their top 10 producers of all-time. The Bad Kid himself sticks to his uniquely signature sound behind the boards with LMNO, M.E.D. & Declaime coming through with an interesting chemistry.

Score: 4/5

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