...MUMBLES
PRAISE:
“A Book of Human Language”
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"Just as integral to the album’s success is Matthew “Mumbles” Fowler. Aceyalone first worked with the Bay Area-born producer on his first solo album, All Balls Don’t Bounce (1995). Mumbles was the musical creative force behind two of the album’s most memorable songs: “Greatest Show On Earth” and “Makeba.” Acey chose to have Mumbles behind the boards for the entirety of Human Language and it pays off. Mumbles created the beats mostly using rough-and-tumble jazz samples, layering them into a complex soundtrack to accompany Acey’s deep thoughts. The result makes A Book of Human Language one of the most outstanding one emcee/one producer collaborations in the history of hip-hop."
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https://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-20-years-of-aceyalone-a-book-of-human-language
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"With "Human Language" cinematic as is, of course producer Mumbles is deserving of much credit. His beats are dark, fitting the mood like a warm mitten; somber 50's jazz playing as prominent a role as sampled clock ticks and earthy growls. Nearly every sound is bleak and just slightly off kilter, but each beat is melodious and, unlike most avant garde rap, even induces head nodding. Throbbing horns and a thumping break give "The March" a lively pulse, and hectic riding cymbals and upright bass turn the title track into a bustling, bumpy ride."
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https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_abookofhuman.html
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"The dark and eerie beat introduces you to the raw and somewhat unpolished feel that the production exemplifies. Mumbles, the man who produced the whole album single-handedly, does a brilliant job at allowing Aceyalone’s complex and hugely intelligent lyrics stand out over the dredging, almost desperate sounding beats."
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https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/43612/Aceyalone-Book-of-Human-Language/
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"This is one of the few cases where I can say that no album has gone where this did in the history of hip-hop. This is music unstuck in time, approaching the sublime. The subject matter as well as the production are so fluidly all-encompassing; even as jazz is the recurring influence and source of samples, it is not jazz-rap in the way that Digable Planets is, through hip samples, atmosphere, instrumentation, and lyrics evocative of a cultural sect. Mumbles uses jazz as an approach, evoking the spontaneity, angularity, abstraction, and experimental spirit of artists like John Coltrane, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, and many more through his sampling of their music. He is not just supplying dope beats for Acey to lay dope rhymes over; he composes according to the mysterious, somewhat ambiguous, yet always apparent concept of the album as a whole, as well as of each chapter, or song, individually. Acey's rhymes ask more questions than they answer, and create an incredible depth in the process, never rhyming out of context for the sake of a hip line, cultural reference, or to draw attention to himself, trying to shape an image or persona. Hip-hop seems to almost always be married to the ego of the MC, and I don't necessarily mean just the exhibition of braggadocio; the MC is so representative of the modern concept of the self, and an MC explores that through his music. Also, hip-hop is most often overtly direct and realistic, and even when people make claims about the surrealist concept of the gangster in a lot of gangster rap, it rarely feels that way to me. Even though Acey does use "I" sometimes, the self has so little importance, as does whatever was going on in Acey's life, the rap game, or society in 1998. "A Book of Human Language" is just sound, enriched with human energy, creativity, and poetry.
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Hip-hop has come unstuck in time."
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"For me personally this is the greatest album in any genre I've had the pleasure of hearing. Aceyalone & Mumbles really did tap into something brilliant on this. It's basically the story of life told brilliantly by Acey. The music is a mixture of lush and at times very dark Jazz, Funk and Afro/Latin vibes mixed with some fantastic Mumbles beats. Sublime stuff and essential for anyone who likes good music."
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"Aceyalone distinguishes himself from other MCs in a number of ways on his latest disc. 1) He exhibits a heartening attempt at discovering his own substance within the harsh modern world in a way which will reap positive results, while most MCs are more concerned with blustering about sexual prowess and material possessions. 2) He has attempted a "concept album" of sorts that encompasses human experience in an existentialist study of language itself. So "The Balance" and "The Thief in the Night" are not merely titles of tracks, they embody entire philosophies and experiences. 3) He's simply a great rapper, using unusually complex patterns and a flow that builds to something, in the traditions of jazz and literature. Producer Mumbles utilizes a vast variety of beats, from the sexy club rhythms of "The Energy" and "The Word" to the Brazilian capoeira rhythm of "The Balance", and the textures and melodic loops he provides perfectly complement Aceyalone's contributions. Engineer Matt Kelley should be noted for this and for his work on The Coup's "Steal This Album", another one of the great albums from '98."
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A Book of Rhymes and Knowledge
March 31, 1999
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"Totally unique to anything done before or since. To those who can appreciate a truly meaningful piece of art this album will represent more than just a classic. Both Acey and his producer Mumbles display the totally unique textures that make up their beautifully twisted minds and helped to create an entire movement which took hip hop far beyond what it would otherwise have been able to achieve. Cerebral, creative uplifting and confusing this albums energy extends beyond hip hop or even music. A true masterpiece bringing together both the best vocalist and producer to ever bless the world of music."
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The best piece of music ever created
March 13, 2000
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"In a time where many of the pioneers of Hip Hop have put there creative minds aside to pursue fame and fortune in the mass sewage pool of commercial mediocrity, the "Good Book" is here to show the Know Not the way of the enlighten path. Not only does Aceyalone bring clarity, focus, substance, continuity and pure organic creativity to this art form, but he also proceeds to do it lyrically "alone". Rarely will you find artists willing to push the envelope, yet alone by themselves. As you may well know, in today's society many solo artists have to respectively come with a compilation album to have any type of credibility. Also, due to their obvious lack of lyrical skills and cadence they regurgitate many of the old time classic beats and melodies in a hope that the music will over shadow the message. When in all actuality, the music should be a compliment to the message. "The Book of Human Language" is a perfect example of majestic rhythmic flow combined with strategically intertwined melodies. Producer Mumbles extraordinary ability to give and take in his production only enhanced this work that much further. From the beginning to the end of this album, Acey takes you on a journey through his mind, expressing his views on life death and everything between. Like he states in the album; his goal is to stimulate your mind, not emulate your purpose. Undoubtedly a Hip Hop classic."
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I rather stimulate your mind then emulate your purpose
December 7, 1999
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"Hip-Hop has finally entered a new dimension. With Human Language, Acey has created a new realm for Hip-Hop music. This album isn't just "conscious" rap, but also a bible of musical near-perfection. Aceyalone and Mumbles communicate with each other so well that the two artists become one. I would normally list specific tracks to peep, but to listen to only a couple of songs on this album would be a felony. Aceyalone is my favorite rapper. Ever."
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February 5, 2000
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"In my over 3 decades of obsessive record buying and digging I have devoured 100s of incredible artist's work ranging from Punk Rock, Jazz, Reggae, Dub, Post Punk, Soul, House, Techno, Blues, Pop, Jungle, Rock'n'Roll, Latin, Country, Metal, Folk, Drum'n'Bass, Funk, Hip Hop and more....out of all the incredible albums & EPs I've ever had the pleasure of hearing there is but one that I consider the greatest of all-time.....and that is Aceyalone's 2nd solo LP A Book Of Human Language which landed on turntables in 1998.
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In the lead up to Human Language Acey had already been honing his skills since the 80s and had already created incredible works with his 95 debut LP and the first two brilliant Freestyle Fellowship LPs. However nothing could have prepared me for the sheer quality of A Book Of Human Language that Acey created with the producer Mumbles.
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A Book Of Human Language features a story obviously and its content is something we can ALL connect with.
Aceyalone tells the story with an insane presentation of skill & swagger. No chest beating here and no relying on guests to move copies. This is ALL Acey and it is ALL about the artform that is Hip Hop. It truly surpasses genres though such is its greatness.
Obviously Acey is half the story here. The other half is the truly second to none production job by Mumbles. No one in the world of the emcee & producer has ever come close to the chemistry these guys had on this record.
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For A Book Of Human Language, Mumbles fused a dark, somber, creaking and smokey Jazz sound with some thumping Soul drum breaks to accompany Acey's story. Another thing that Mumbles brings to the sound is a real beautiful organic lushness. Seriously....this one is a beauty.
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On top of this truly magnificent work we were also treated to an instrumental version. This features a few extra tweaks and essentially is a must. This album is credited to Mumbles and its title is A Book Of Human Beats. So yes if you have a love for eclectic sounds than this record is for you. If you have a love for Hip Hop you NEED this record. Act now! 11 Out Of 10! The G.O.A.T. in my opinion and easily the most criminally slept on record in the world of underground music. You don't have to sleep anymore though....Discogs is your friend and there are still copies floating about so treat your mind, body & soul to Aceyalone's masterpiece."
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March 14, 2017
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"This masterpiece is by far the best hip hop album ever made. The lyrics are enlightened wisdom poetry and the beats are masterfully crafted uniquely ingenious treasures. If you were to take one hiphop cd to a desert Island this should be the one! If you do not own this CD, and are reading this review, and like hip hop, even just a little bit, Buy this CD now! That is my advice. PEACE!"
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Jason Greenberg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Hip Hop Album ever!
May 25, 2002
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