Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Alert

Alert
Red Opus .45 EP

Album length: 5 tracks: 21 minutes, 42 seconds
Street Date: April 5, 2011


The latest artist to join the small ranks of the Humble Beast family is the hip hop group Alert. The group was formed by Boogalu (emcee) and Moral One (drums). After playing solo shows and with other groups, they formed Alert, with Dan "Boom" Jones on bass and AJ Alvarez playing guitar. They released an independent album called Indian Colors in 2010, and for their Humble Beast debut, they're dropping a five-track joint called Red Opus .45 EP.

Alert's influences range all across the board, but the artists they really remind me of mostly are groups like The Roots and 4th Avenue Jones. The fact that they use real instruments during the recording process, which give it an outstanding organic feel, is the biggest reason those artists are brought to mind. The musicians in Alert sound very professional, and they also give the music a true hip hop feel. Some hip hop crews attempt the live instrument aspect without actually successfully pulling it off. But Alert knows what they're doing, and every moment of their playing sounds great. Boogalu is also a very skilled emcee who can definitely hang with Ahmad (4th Avenue Jones) or Thought (The Roots). He's quick-witted and versatile, and he uses his gift to consistently drop knowledge on us when he's speaking.

Red Opus .45 is five tracks long, with the middle track, "Red Flection," being an interlude. All the songs are good, but I would have to say that "Red Vapors" and "Red Spade" are my favorite tracks. The other songs are just as good, but for some reason these two stick out to me a lot more. "Red Vapors" features a guest verse from fellow Humble Beast emcee, Propaganda. In addition to Boogalu's hard-hitting lyrics, an added verse from the impeccable Propaganda makes for an obvious highlight. Not to mention, his flow also works really well in conjunction with the band. This song, as well as the other three, are very street-smart - in both sound and message. They have a heart to reach the lost that live in the harder parts of the city, as evidenced in the opening track, "All I See Is Red."

Alert is pure hip hop talent. It's obvious from the very start of the EP that the musicians are extremely skilled, and that Boogalu's rhymes are air-tight. All the years they've spent in the game has done a lot for them. Four songs of solid hip hop make up the Red Opus .45 EP, making it a must-have for fans of the genre. And guess what - it's a free download, just like every album from Humble Beast artists. Go give it a listen, or buy it on iTunes if you'd prefer to support them. It's definitely worth it. They're planning to have a full-length album for us sometime in 2011, and I'm expecting brilliance.

- Review date: 4/10/11, written by Scott Fryberger for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: Humble Beast
. Album length: 5 tracks: 21 minutes, 42 seconds
. Street Date: April 5, 2011
. Buy It: iTunes
. Free Download: HumbleBeast.com

  1. All I See Is Red (ft. Catalina Bellizzi)
  2. Red Vapors (ft. Propaganda)
  3. Red Flection
  4. Red Dawning
  5. Red Spade

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, September 19, 2025
ALBUMS
Sho Baraka Midnight of a Good Culture [Syntax]
Dave Barnes The Songs That Got Away (independent)
Influence Music One True God (independent)
LO Worship Songs For the Anxious Heart [Integrity]
Mainstream Worship Dwelling Place [DREAM Worship]
Lauren Mann Heaven - EP (independent)
Mat & Savanna Just How Strong You Are (independent)
Jackie Hill Perry Blameless [Reach]
Zane Walls Dry Bones - EP [DREAM]
Zach Williams Jesus Loves [Provident]
Paul Wright GOD SONGS (independent)

SINGLES
1K Phew MOVE IT! (feat. Forrest Frank and 1K Pson) - Single [Reach]
Anike That's God (feat. Porsha Love) - Single [Reach]
Elan Brio From Sin to Grace - Single (independent)
GZeal No Time - Single [Syntax]
I.A.N. & Cas Yahweh - Single [Syntax]
Vic Lucas Call On Me ft. Domi Grace - Single [Syntax]
No Vain Glory GRAH - Single [Syntax]
Frankie Orella Like This - Single (independent)
Nate Parrish That's Just Life - Single (independent)
Poor Old Lu A Forest - Single (independent)
Razzie, g!ng, Ally Minju NOSEBLEEDS - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes in Harmony Make Room - Single [Syntax]
Rosemont Dust - Single (independent)
Saved By Skarlet Memory Relapse - Single (independent)
Tds Cam Never Really Cared - Single [Syntax]
John Waller & WallerCo & Eric Lee Brumley Surprise Me - Single [DREAM]

Next Friday, September 26, 2025
ALBUMS
Glae Black Cloud - EP [Broken Curfew Records]
Michael Gabriel Monroe Some Things I've Been Learning About God [Provident]
Kevin Schlereth Settle In (independent)
Chris Tomlin The King Is Still The King [Capitol CMG]
Voluntary Mortification Mortem Cultus - EP (independent)

SINGLES
The Rogers Family He's Still God - Single [Horizon]
Terrian Testimony - Single [Gotee]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images