D|REVIEWS - The Davis Way Brings A Collaborative Experience With "Eclipse"
I was first introduced to The Davis Way's production through the Michigan Beat Battle League and have been keeping an eye on his efforts ever since discovery. A few weeks back he delivered a collaboration of some of the finest lyrical talents & artists in a front to back album that shines light across a slew of dope artists combining forces over his precise production. There's a lot being said here, from a large selection of voices - as usual, I give my track by track breakdown in D|REVIEWS: The Davis Way - "Eclipse".01. Eclipse (Intro) - Feat. Lady Davis : We enter the collaborative effort that is "Eclipse" with some words from Lady Davis as she introduces us.02. Came Home To The Darkness - Feat. Amber Cimone: It grabs your attention instantly with the crow-like opening before Amber Cimone opens to "rip it" & left me with a great first impression. Being the opening track I was instantly brought in, the way the second verse builds over The Davis Way instrumentation instantly made this one stand out to me. She really did her thing on this one and I love it more and more with every listen.03. Running On E - Feat. Moo Goo Gai Pan: Pure lyricism is on demonstration with this record that had me feeling like a mix between some Queensbridge repping Nas slash MF Doom type record. Moo Goo Gai Pan articulates bars that if are what running on E means for the emcee than I'd hate to have to face off when he is on a full tank. It had a classic boom bap record that really came together & kept me excited for what's in store on "Eclipse".04. Ain't Sayin' Nuthin' - Feat. Horatio The Best Man: A social commentary in rap form on the state of rappers who "Ain't Sayin' Nuthin". Horation The Best Man has me snickering to his hook as he pokes fun at the non-lyrical new gen rappers who lack any substance. I smile well I listen to this one.05. Fraudulent - Feat. 3269 CHISE & Pierre Anthony: One thing is without a doubt on "Eclipse" so far, The Davis Way didn't hold back any punches lacing the backgrounds to Detroit's Finest. Two of my personal favorites collide in this beyond excellent hip-hop masterpiece. The way "All I Really Know" is sung and the back and forth lyrical throws between these talents it outstanding in its pure form. It's been an incredible streak here at track five, however "Fraudulent" is my top cut so far!06. Raw Talent - Feat. Mr. Furious: Speaking of talent Mr. Furious demonstrates his tremendous amount of it on "Raw Talent". A title worthy of a general description of this entire batch of artists on "Eclipse" but here in the middle, we have met another gem amongst many. I love the scratching behind the transition between verses, the old school record vibe, & the way Mr. Furious attacks this vintage sounding production.07. Evolution Of The Revolution - Feat. Josef Coney Island: A spectatorship on consumerism, following the masses, and general societal commentary from Josef Coney Island throws out a lot to take in. This blogger here doesn't "hate the deep shit" & I found this enjoyable - it's a quieter record sonically versus some of the harder hitting spots on "Eclipse" but it melds well here in the middle & offers an intricate dive into the "Evolution of the Revolution".08. Destiny - Feat. 01 AD & Coko Buttafli: "I leave you in awe" 01 AD states in his opening verse before Coko Buttafli drives home the chorus. I don't know who was talking about O falling off but they clearly must not be listening to the same thing I am. This man here has got bars and a buttery flow to coincide that ties well with Coko's vocal partnership in "Destiny".09. By Any Other Name - Feat. P Dot: From catching her perform well-helping closing out The Bullfrog late last year to taking in her cypher verse at the Underground Hip Hop Awards I've been impressed with everything P Dot has been putting out there. She is one lethal lyricist ready to have you screaming dot gang by the time track nine rolls thru. "By Any Other Name" is yet another standout on "Eclipse".10. Nothing Nice - Feat. Valid: Embracing one of the faster if not fastest flows on "Eclipse" we are delivered "Nothing Nice". It's a clean track sonically, & throughout my journies in Detroit hip-hop, I've enjoyed a bunch of records Valid has put out. Unfortunately, this was my least favorite cut on this compilation of sorts, I didn't hate it or nothing but I just didn't like it as much as previous efforts I've taken in from Valid. Something just was vibing for me personally on this one, that's not to say someone else might absolutley love this one.11. Fake Love - Feat. Pierre Anthony: The only artist besides The Davis Way himself that I believe makes an appearance more than once, we get a more intimate one on one offering of Pierre Anthony's talents here. "Fake Love" blends his rapping plus singing abilities in the signature form we've come to expect from the world-class artist that is Pierre Anthony. "I see the hatred in your eyes..." in an ode to saying no to fake love sings Pierre stating he has "no room" for it. Fire!12. The Life We Chose - Feat. Verdict & Kay Janey: "What we choose to experience in our lives we must first feel in our hearts as if it was already there" opens into this fantastic closing effort from Verdict & Kay Janey. "Heartbreak & memories done took soul.." and more Kay sings between two of my favorites verses across "Eclipse" amongst a sea of lyrical shining moments. What a lovely way to finish off this wonderful mesh of abilities.
In closing, " Eclipse" does what I've found to be quite often a rarity. The Davis Way has managed to curate a jam-packed offering of local talent across his beautiful sonic creations in a way few compilation style efforts are able to pull off. It was hard to find any weak spots here in what is overall an extremely cohesive thrust of lyrical, vocal, & instrumental creativity banded together via a collective of impactful voices each with their own messages to spread. It's a great sampler of Detroit hip-hop in it's purest forms. 8.5/10