Yo! I'm really feelin' Elix. Add Mr. Eon and Chief Kamachi into the mix and how can The Beast Within not be a bangin' track? Completely underground. Completely deserving of mixtape inclusion. Completely phat Hip Hop.

All three emcees come with different yet all commanding confidence and a touch of attitude throw in with an impressive dose of lyricism. Mr. Eon and Kamachi have well known track records and good presence on the mic. Elix is the wildcard and he ends up seizing the moment with a very strong vocal showing. His style literally sounds like he's got a beast within. This brother proves to be vocally powerful and commanding. Ladies and gentleman, welcome another Philadelphia lyricist to the stage.

So I've established the high level of the vocals and now need to touch on the song's instrumentation. DJ Truth and Art Beeswax provide a beat that is sparse, basic and definitely the right balance to the three emcees. Varied movie track sounds are expertly layered between the driving beat and the accomplished lyricism. The remix is equally moving and by no means plays second fiddle to the original. The whole thing was mastered by Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo so you know the sound quality is as good as it gets.

The B side of this 12' inch is the equally impressive Keystone Cops. Elix represents for the East while the skilled Pittsburgh emcee Chardon Don holds it down for the western part of the Keystone State as they both share tales of the racism and corruption that permeates the police departments of both of Pennsylvania's two biggest cities over an upbeat, fast paced melodic beat. I guess Philly and Pittsburgh have more in Commonwealth then we thought.

Obviously, Elix is in Good Hands. Nuff said.

goodhandsrecords.com

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Review by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor- PhillyHipHop.com
May, 2003