This is Buffalo, New York host Jae Skeese’s fifth extended performance. Beginning with his debut mixtape WACK (Women, Alcohol, Cash & Kicks) in 2010, it wasn’t until a decade later that he and 7xvethegenius gained widespread exposure as the first signees to Conway the Machine’s own Drumwork Music Group. Third EP Authenticity Check and second album Abolished Uncertainties produced by The Big Ghost Ltd. have both increased Skeese’s popularity over the past few years. After wrapping up Superior’s “A Date of the Age” and “Rise From the Ground,” Ill Tone is currently working on “The Good Part” following “40 Hours.”
“Parathesis” chopped up a soul sample and got things talking and it felt like no one was better than him, while “Accelerant” featured Conway the Machine and the Stove God Chef and found the trio aggressively attacking those who made the game’s mistakes. “Curt Menafee” featuring Cory Gunz has a summery theme that talks about putting it all on the line with “SWGM (See It, Want It, Got It, Mines)” and ends the first half talking about taking his stuff.
Fuego Base and Sule appeared on “Raiden” to kick off round two, with all three of them actively talking about wanting to get closer to better things before linking up with Talib Kweli and TF on “Worldwide” so they could discuss how far they want to go musically. “Mua” skips over the beat of victory and talks about winning in the biggest way possible, while “No After No” featuring Brother Tom Sos and Consequence ends with each artist explaining that they never stopped chasing their goals after being eliminated.
I totally get what Jae Skeese is doing, trying to give lesser-known local artists a bigger platform, and while I’m still on the fence about that EP a year later, The Good Part has to be my personal favorite project of his since The Age. From the calligraphy to the more notable cameos and production of Ill Tone, there have been hints that they’ll be making a full series based on this, and this first entry ticks every box as to why they should do it.
Rating: 9/10
