This right here is mood music. You know the kinda stuff ya inhale while slouched on a couch and contemplating it all through a hazy layer of smoke. This right here is about as far from commercial as is humanly possible. This right here is the stuff that'll never reach a mass audience but delight it's cult like followers for that very same reason. This is intellectual challenges that not everyone will be able to or inclined to handle. That said there is a hearty dose of artistry in effect. What a refreshing concept to have a lyricists have something substantial to convey.

For most of Close Encounter Of The 3rd Kind, the instrumentation serves as more of a background forum for the lyrics to be taken in rather than the norm where a bangin beat takes precedence over the rhymes. The LP arguably reaches it's apex on the Luminous Flux collabo Sunrize. One of the few places where the head is given an opportunity to nod is on the transformative bend of Koalition. Musically, the most pleasing component of Close Encounter may be the hypnotic Supposed To B. It just works. What more can I tell you? Take my word for it (or not).

If you're happy with what you're hearing on the radio and mixtapes and feel safe and secure in that realm of Hip Hop I suggest taking a pass on Close Encounter Of The 3rd Kind. If you've grown weary of what passes for 2003 Hip Hop with no substance or foresight I think you'll do well to set aside some time to get comfortable, lay back and simply experience...

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Reviewed by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor- PhillyHipHop.com
March, 2003