Teaming up with Dilated Peoples' Evidence, Cali Agent Planet Asia delivers The Medicine, the final chapter in his Medi-Cali trilogy. The Fresno MC spits concise braggadocio and a few conscious bars over 16 tracks showcasing Evidence's range of production talents.
The Medicine is strongest when Asia teams with fellow West Coast underground stalwarts. Krondon and Phil Da Agony add hard coming of age bars on the banger "Get Active," while Defari reminisces about hip-hop history on the heartfelt "Old Timer Thoughts." The albums final track, "Dilated Agents," teams the Cali Agents (Rasco and Planet Asia) with Evidence & Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, to pleasing effect. Asia also enlists the help of Black Thought (on "Over Your Head") and Prodigy ("Stick & Move") to bring some East Coast flavor. Despite the strength of the collaborations, Asia proves he can hold the spotlight alone, blazing the soul singed title track, the true standout song of the album.
Away from his typical rhyme content, however, Planet Asia fails to inspire. His nod to the ladies, "In Love," suffers from overly sexualized lyrics that don't quite mesh with the tender sentiments of Jonell's hook. The well intended "Ghetto's Thirsty" falters with Planet Asia slipping off topic into generic taunts and a bizarre reminder that he does not pay radio jocks for spins. In these two songs, the failure of The Medicine to break new ground and highlight Asia's inability to break completely free of his comfort zone is most clear.
On the whole, The Medicine is most memorable for Evidence's sonic tapestry. From the sneaky Lil' Wayne vocal sample on "All The Names" through the marching drums of "Get Active" and "On Your Way 93796's" 808 bounce, Evidence blesses Asia and his guests with a slew of bangers. Unfortunately, as the beats often outshine the rhymes, The Medicine just doesn't make the perfect prescription.
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