Inner Realmz is a production duo from Los Angeles, California, consisting of Masta Cypher Devine and Goomson. They’ve been making waves in the West Coast underground music scene since the early 2000s with their first two tapes, SP 1000 and Build & Destroy, followed by Low End Wizards and its sequel Digital Chains. Last summer, Goomson happened to work with Broke on a collaborative beat tape, Heavy Wreck, which showcased Broke’s talents behind the scenes on the A-side, with Goomson on the B-side, of course, save for Masta Cypher Devine doing the final performance. However, I am interested in their Sixth Beat tape because I personally find the cover art to be reminiscent of black metal music.
“Digest Culture” sets the tone for the 47-second spoken intro that follows, complete with kick and snare drums, while “Cymatics” works over some piano while keeping things dusty with drum patterns. “Recognize Absence” mixes funk and boom-bop with prominent flutes, but after the “Therapeutics” skit, “Mighty Healthy” starts weaving these summery guitar grooves before kicks and snares appear later. part.
After an interlude that mixed spoken word and keys in “Emulators,” “Pantheon” returns to a booming rhythm that keeps the piano intact, while “Neural Dust” gives off more of a hypnotic, raw vibe overall. “Renown” ends the first half of the tape with a masterful piano performance, then “Aspersion” again adds a kick and snare drum to the picture, and when I listen to it I can’t help but imagine a rainy day in Times Square or any other big city .
“Desirous” begins with the vocal introduction of Guru, one of the greatest duos in the history of hip-hop culture, until we hear another booming bap beat, except the tones of the chords trigger a somber atmosphere, leading to “Radio Silence” ! takes a darker, spookier shift in aesthetics as the kick and snare remain intact, while the keys on “Daily Commute” appear more active before the downbeat/optimistic drum beats. Enhanced the influence of jazz.
After the “Copycat” skit, “Vesica Piscis” is another piano/boom rhythm crossover, and “Ruggedness & Knowledge” has to be one of my favorites on the entire tape. The four-game starting count in particular is reminiscent of my favorite Neptune duo, who unfortunately were on opposite ends of the spectrum in Pharrell and Chad Hugo’s trademarks. Even the closing song, “Third Eye Spy,” is excellent and ends “Almighty” powerfully.
I said this a few weeks ago when I reviewed Stretch Money’s new EP To the West…with Love, and I’ll say it again: Los Angeles will always be my second friend, and since I’m from Detroit myself, I have to say The Inner Realmz have a bright future ahead of them as the underground’s unstoppable production duo. Each track features carefully selected and arranged jazz samples, accompanied by hiss and crackle, taking the mind on a gentle, psychedelic trip down memory lane.
Score: 8/10
