The Colossus (Bonus Track Version)

Producing for over a decade, Ramble Jon Krohn, aka RJD2 is back with his fourth full length studio album, and all of the hype lives up to its expectations! With intricately cut up samples, funky percussion and original soul vocals, Krohn crafts an album full of tracks that have originally captured my attention back with Deadringer (2002, Definitive Jux). Two years later, Krohn has absolutely swept me away with his original take on instrumental hip-hop with Since We Last Spoke (2004, Definitive Jux). In 2007, Krohn got signed to XL and released The Third Hand, which is also available as an instrumental-only version. Getting signed on a major label landed Krohn on the road, touring extensively for two years. The mixed reviews and the constant performing must have been tiring... In 2009, he decided to take it easy, launch his own label, RJ's Electrical Connections, and get back to his original sound. This move is definitely welcome. The Colossus is the first new album for his label, on which he already re-released the extended version of The Horror EP, enhanced with a second disc full of live footage and the making of the music video; and a boxset of 12", reissuing Deadringer, The Horror, Since We Last Spoke, and Tin Foil Hat. The latter is a super nice limited release for all the collectors, titled 2002-2010. The Colossus is immediately solid, fresh, and welcoming to an audience looking for those soulful sounds and laid-back beats. Featuring vocals from Kenna Zemedkun, Phonte Coleman, Aaron Livingston (as well as a few of his own), and the raps of The Catalyst, Illogic and NP, the album lightly skips across songs and instrumentals, demonstrating that Krohn feels back at home, in his own studio, on his own label, doing exactly what he always loved to do! With The Colossus, RJD2 is back, and fans of instrumental sampled funkadelica will not be disappointed! Be sure to also dig up RJD2's obscure funky 39-track mix, Your Face Or Your Kneecaps, also known as Poorboy Lover Megamix, if you can find it in the archives. If you've never heard RJD2 before, prepare to fall in love if you enjoy DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, Blockhead and Prefuse 73. And... start with his earlier output and work your way up to The Colossus.

I have listened Colossus through several times, and am just flat out uninspired. Early reports that this one would rival Deadringer and bring RJ back to earlier times is flat out wrong, in my opinion. The band and guest artists are interesting, and are good musicians but distract from the hip hop and turntablism that RJ is known for. I thought it might take a cohesive direction such as funk or soul oriented hip hop, but the album was all over the place and leaves the listener forgetting they are listening to RJD2. For such a talented musician, I feel like Colossus moves in a wrong direction, and I, for one, crave the groove of Deadringer in a new context. Just my 2c

He is just showing you diffident styles of his creations instead of sticking to the formatp

Folks who bash an artist's art usually have no talent themselves, and worst of all think an opinion matters. But since idiots can say what they think, I might try to cancel out their stupidity by speaking some wisdom... Despite the fact that RJ is ALWAYS extremely dope, his new offering is a gift. Anyone who has followed his music since the beginning knows that The Third Hand was an attempt at expanding his boundaries and expressing himself in new and different way (as usual). He did it HIS way. Thusly, he opened himself up to mindless critique from morons and people with no respect. Don't be such a fool. Accept that he has more balls than you. Don't criticize... use what grey matter you have left after your bong-rips and forties and maybe try to review the music. Also, anyone who believes Hip-Hop is the definition of a genre of music should concentrate on something a little less complex, like picking your nose or staring at the wall or violating yourself. Hip Hop is a culture, a lifestyle that has broken boundaries since its inception (watch out, big word). Boundaries that were broken by artists like RJD2, and will continue to be expanded by artists like RJD2. If you don't like it, nobody cares but you. I'm not going to justify your Retard-ness by explaining why this is filed under Hip Hop. If you NEED clarification, then you don't deserve it. You know nothing and you definately don't know what good is.

Maybe this guy Gucci Mane is good at what he does, but you can't compare his music with this. In fact You can't really compare RJ's music to anything else, and that's what makes his sound so special. I've been a listener for a long time and this is the most diverse album to date. It was definitely worth the wait.

First off - its great to know how tolerant hip-hop fans are of people that take a different approach to the genre, seeing some wonderful 1 star reviews from some other ituners. */sarcasm* Anyway, I have to disagree with etowns review.... I don't know what he heard, but what I'm hearing is RJ's best release since deadringer. I think that he does want to be a singer/songwriter, but he also knows his strong suits with multi-layered sampling and does it well. "Let there be horns," "giant squid," and "the stranger" sound like they could fit right onto deadringer, and that alone is worth the purchase. One of the things that was a pleasant surprise about this album was that even the singer/songwriter style tracks RJ pulled through on are miles better than the third hand in terms of energy, general structure, and especially the SOUL involved. Throughout the album, whether they be the multilayered sampling compositions we're used to or not from RJ, you can still listen and tell based on his choice of instruments and arranging that its definitely his style. If you were disappointed by the approach on the third hand, this new release should definitely satisfy you. It's a very refreshing approach to an album that I needed to hear very badly.

Another disappointing RJD2 album. If you liked Deadringer and long for the days of old, don't waste your money on this one. The beats and lyrics are on par with elevator music. Jeez what a terrible let down. Once upon a time, RJD2 pumped out mindblowing tracks (Ghostwriter, The Horror, June). The Third Hand and The Colossus have been mega-bummers. I wish RJD2's career went in the other direction. I wish his first few CDs were garbage and THEN he put out Deadringer and Since We Last Spoke. *cry*

Gucci Mane go way harder than Soulja Gurl! Don't put them in the same Category ever! Gucci is way better than this Guy! Waka Flocka Flame is way better too! JUST ANOTHER WACK RAPPER WITH A WASHED UP STYLE! GUCCI MANE AND WAKA FLOCKA FLAME ALL DAY!

This guy wack he's just another poor Jackoff at the gas station that can't rap!

Who the hell is this???? Iv never heard of this and its almost at the top of itunes. Thats crazy!! Well its trash anyways, peace lol