MAIN FLOW and 7L "FLOW SEASON" - Brick Records
His name is Main Flow and his latest album is called Flow Season, but his skills go beyond just lyrically riding a track. On the follow up to his 2004 solo debut, Hip-Hopulation, Main Flow joins with producer 7L to reiterate what many in the underground already know, he's a beast on the mic. Hip-Hopulation had a long guest list of MCs and producers, but the Cincinnati-born rapper keeps his approach simple on Flow Season. He rhymes exclusively on 7L beats and only shares the mic on three tracks, leaving himself plenty of opportunities to shine.
The first single, "Where I'm From," shows Main Flow and 7L at their best. Flow shows nice verbal gymnastics with lines such as "We on that street sh*t/Constant cash flow to eat with/My heat spit/Next to the ground that's where my feet sit." The he drops a few references to disgraced athletes to get his point across, spitting "Some players never ball again like Rae Carruth" and "When I was in the studio getting my demo liver/ J. Williams was shootin' up his limo driver... It's the first batch of many creative nods to the wide world of sports.
Main Flow is entertaining as he maintains a cocky swagger throughout whether it's speaking street talk on "Hustle Flow," discussing the transition from illegal life to rap life on "Permission to Speak" or chasing girls on "She Like the Way I Talk" where he declares, "They holler still/Girls think I'm single like a dollar bill/Problems with wifey part of my life see/Jumpin' out of windows with threats to knife me."
When Main Flow does opt for some assistance, the quality stays high, especially on "Forever" with Cormega and "Top Scholars" with 7L's partner Esoteric. Though 7L gives Main Flow a varied selection of beats to showcase his talent, the Boston producer falters on the annoying instrumental "7L Says Nope" and the snoozer "Hold Lines."
Already a heavyweight on the independent scene, Main Flow doesn..t compromise on Flow Season, but still makes an album that could appeal to more overground listeners. Just likes his associates Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli, Main Flow could be next to blow up while maintaining his cred, and after underground producing success, 7L may gain some bigger name clients just like Hi-Tek did. Whether or not Main Flow and 7L get the mainstream success they deserve, Flow Season shows two men who should have plenty of winning seasons ahead.
Flow Season Review on Allhiphop.com
http://www.allhiphop.com/reviews/?ID=986
Flow Season
Artist: Main Flow & 7L
Title: Flow Season
Reviewed by: Bill Zimmerman
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Cincinnati native Main Flow has been touted as one of the most gifted MCs around. With his latest effort, Flow Season, Main Flow has the necessary production to provide the classic that so many have been waiting for. Seemingly a match made in heaven, 7L continues his brilliant track record by doing more than creating a collection of beats; he composes tracks filled with brilliant guitar riffs that often lull the listener into the sort of devotion that Main Flow may have lacked in the past. This is what being an accommodating producer is all about: taking the MC to places they never thought they could go before but making sure the experience is very natural. 14 unique tracks offer an MC and producer both bringing their best efforts creates a strange mixture of soothing sounds and rhymes complex in their design, yet often simple and inviting in their approach. Truly, this is one of the most exciting collaborations and enjoyable releases to come out this year.
JIVE Magazine Rating: 4.5 out of 5
