Album: Esoteric Vs. Japan: The Pterodactyl Takes Tokyo!

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Expanding on the old-school inspired futurism of his past two group releases with partner-in-crime 7L, respected Boston emcee/producer Esoteric has ventured to the land of the rising sun for his adventurous solo project, Esoteric Vs. Japan: The Pterodactyl Takes Tokyo!.

Not merely using the album as an excuse to experience a little Lost In Translation action, the self-proclaimed ‘Eso Pterodactyl’ has clearly immersed himself in Japanese pop culture, sampling/referencing monster movies (Godzilla and the ilk), TV commercials, pro-wrestling and local music, throughout the course of The Pterodactyl Takes Tokyo!.

Real Rap Design has Esoteric teaming up with Moe Pope of the duo Megaphone (who sounds oddly similar to Lupe Fiasco on this occasion) over an intensely neck-snapping concoction. He also gives a direct nod to 1980s electro on the somewhat eerie tones of Wrestlelectro, also dropping some fast and furious bars on the Peter Piper-flavoured Gaiking Skydragon Rap and the opening cut Mecha Mecha.

On the decidedly more straight-laced God Less America, Eso expresses his displeasure over the actions of the U.S. government and their current war in Iraq: “You won’t catch me saying God Bless America/I left the States, that’s a godless America/you’re in a cata-coma, they’re moving Israel to Arizona/microchip through Rockerfeller type of sh*t.” Backed by some electric guitar, Esoteric sounds truly motivated, bringing back memories of classic cuts like Precision. Anyone that can drop a clever Family Guy reference into a political song deserves some props too.

It is on the conceptual madness of 24 Karat Fiction where the Boston-bred veteran is at his best. Playing the role of a gold-rope chain, he chronicles the popularity of the gaudy piece of neck jewellery in late 80s/early 90s Hip Hop, as the chain is passed on between the likes of Run-DMC and Slick Rick, followed by the eventual rejection of it by acts such as X-Clan and Poor Righteous Teachers.

Putting the mic down temporarily, Eso flexes his underrated skills behind the boards for a number of instrumental pieces. The most notable being the richly-layered My New Favourite, an audio collage of vocal snippets driven by pulsing drums and stirring instrumentation (flute, strings).

In an era where finance is promoted over artistry, it is heartening to hear an album brimming with such urgency and passion. The frenetic energy and seamlessness between tracks means that there is not much time to stop and think, which combined with the overall theme may be a tad overwhelming for some listeners. On the whole Esoteric Vs. Japan: The Pterodactyl Takes Tokyo! is both an entertaining and exhilarating ride. Esoteric takes you on a musical journey through Japanese pop culture without having to leave your home. Sayonara from rapville!

Available through Fly Casual Creative