DIRTY GOSPEL – NOA JAMES

The foundations for this record are deep literally and figuratively. There’s something about it that reminds me of some Hercules ish- a listener summoning statues to awaken and muses to sing a story. Noa brings in Sondria Writes and Jade Winter White to help welcome the audience to the congregation.

“Made the Devil Say Church” is one of the great Noa James songs- perfectly blending deep dark melody with aphorism and commanding delivery.

“Lovemonster Pt 2” is a wonderful vintage closer; a booming bap throwback.

“Toast” w/ Noreik and others is one of my favorite albumcuts within – really beautiful and New Yearsy.

There’s also really cool features like 60 East and Kiddo on songs like “Bridges and Bowls” and “The Sun Will Shine” w/ Eugene O Neill.

Cas1 made all of these beats and they’re wonderful – they provide the deep, dark, elastic and tuneful scape on which Noa pontificates to all of our benefit.

I also really appreciate the balance of religious and non-religious themes and motif-work in this rich and rewarding album.

Tristan "Tanjint Wiggy" Acker is a staff writer for Zus Entertainment, a Jooseboxx and Untapped Hip-Hop contributor, and member of the Inland Empire, California based nerdculture hip-hop group the West Coast Avengers