Professor Elemental and Tom Caruana Apequest Album Review
Out on Tea Sea Records right now is something rather special. The man synonymous with gentleman rap. The chap hop hero and steampunk superstar - Professor Elemental has been back in the studio with his partner in crime Mr. TC - Tom Caruana. But this is no ordinary album. The Prof' doesn't do ordinary too well, and this huge conglomerate of artistic delight is testament to the man's passion, presence and perseverance. The album, lovingly backed by Apequest followers is accompanied by a stunning graphic novel and lyric booklet charting the ape filled adventures with art by The Walking Dead's Charlie Adlard. For those that know, the Professor lost his dear friend Geoffrey The Ape at the end of album 4. He's now asking you to join him as he travels through time and space on adventures with dinosaurs and cowboys through medieval times and drinks with well known time travelers, all before taking on a super villain who's seeking revenge.
This is hip hop that is so proud to be different that its soul has swelled and exploded into something new. Hilarious and happy to roll fantasy and sci-fi into the package, the classic charming Professor Elemental style is silly yet satirical and so damn enjoyable. Serebral, sensational, savvy and even a little bit sexy. With additional crazyness from an array of his friends - Steam Powered Giraffe, Jon Clark, Teej, Nick Maxwell, Sabira Jade and Hattie Snooks. The dynamic display of the journey is tugged, tickled and tied together by El's stories. Like an uber-nerd with a microphone and a DJ, El flips and flows through folklore and fables without fear. Bars brandishing bar fights in slick saloons, malfunctioning time travel trousers and dangerous dinos, all layered lyrically and lovingly over the best of British beats.
I wouldn't dare to try to tell you any of these tales now, I wouldn't want to be responsible for the spoilers. But rest assured they rival the best of the sci-fi heroes and then some. The Prof's time machine, with TC at the helm is a joy to travel in. They have created some thing together that deserves to be as beloved as the sci-fi greats. Like Lucas and Moffat, trained by Chuck D and KRS had a go at hip hop. But better. I'm a huge fan of science fiction, and this is a joy of skillful hip hop infused fables. A relentless and ravishing two dozen tracks with 'love me' written all over them. I'm hooked, and i'm more than happy that this is the sort of album that i'll still be hearing new things even after two dozen listens. If you're a fan of sci-fi, or comedy hip hop this is for you. If you like both, then you're hero is here and he's wearing a beige safari hunter's outfit and steampunk goggles. A joy from start to finish and as enticing as an open Tardis door, get your fix of Professor Elemental's wacky universe now!
Invokal - Verbalist Journalist
You can get the album or grab the full package with the all the bells and whistles at the Professor Elemental or the Tea Sea Records website.
