Guest appearances are usually a mere platform for an artist to get "put on" or to shine alongside already-established acts. Though he didn't garner as much of a buzz as the rest of the emcees on Marley Marl's classic, The Symphony, Masta Ace was then introduced to the world of hip-hop music, and quietly built a legacy on his own merit. Ace released the often overlooked LP, Slaughtahouse, and started repping his click, The INC (um, pre-"it's murdaaa!" days, kiddos!). After a few years with Tommy Boy Records, Ace resurfaced on the independent scene from virtually nowhere with his now-near classic, Disposable Arts.
Now, after years of silent triumph in the world's most notorious biz, the Masta has returned with yet another jewel by way of A Long Hot Summer, on his own M3 Entertainment imprint. In the tradition of it's predecessor, A Long Hot Summer is that of a narrative theme throughout the album courtesy of the Brooklyn native, Fats Belvedere and cast of a few more heads. Guests and production credits are composed of everyone from 9th Wonder, Punch & Words, Bulldogg, Ed O.G., The Beatnuts, Dug Infinite, DR Period and Rockwilder.
Getting the juices going is a Windy City producer known of course as Dug Infinite (remember Common's old produciton?) on "Big City," where Ace warms up his straight-forward delivery while describing the Rotten Apple and pretty much any Big City, USA. "Good Ol Love" is a 9th Wonder treat that compliments Ace to perfection. Here, MA flexes some of his patented flow and ultimately just asks for some good ol' love a'la Bernie Mac.
On the same wave-length as "Good Ol Love" is "Beautiful," which instills more positive energy and remains on the "feel-good" tip as Ace delivers lyrical wit with lines such as: "I see a Black man raisin' his gun/but I'd rather see a Black man claimin' his son, say word!" "The Ways" is a gutter production courtesy of DJ Serious. Speaking on the issues and workings of the music industry, Ace informs that before one considers landing a gig in the game, he/she must learn the shady practices of the trade.
Towards the latter part of the album, "Omygod!" features The Beatnuts and Rahzel. Though this sounds like a funky Beatnuts loop, it's Xplicit who takes the credit for this heater. Alongside Juju and Pyscho Les, Ace kicks a suitable battle verse and further states that "even if I lose the battle, I'll win the war."
While the rumor mill has tapped Ace with the "retired" tag, if this is the Masta's last full length recording, he's doing so while being at the peak of his rhyming career. A Long Hot Summer is a mixture of nice production, honest emotion, thought-out rhymes and good ol' soul. Though he may have not have been the most talked-about member of the Juice Crew, Masta Ace will go down in history as having a long hot career and that doesn't apply to many of those whom he started out with.
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