Atmosphere - Strictly Leakage

Stricktly Leakage is an album that doesn't exist. You won't find it in most record stores and most fans of Atmosphere don't even know it. These 13 songs were released as a free download in 2007 and never gained much attention. I found it early this year in the dustiest back corner of Rhymesayers catalogues. It has quickly become one of my favourite collection of Hip-Hop tracks yet.

There are few rap albums I've listened to that compare to the way Strictly Leakage flows from song to song. Every song plays right into the next both lyrically and instrumentally. Despite being an unoffical album, I think that Strictly Leakage is one of the groups most unified releases.

The early tracks of the album use some of my favorite brass samples I've heard in Hip-Hop. The Instrumentals are diverse yet seem to be linked through the album's use of different type of brass instruments. This results in a strong, upbeat and head-bopping accompaniment to lead emcee Slug. Despite Slug being one of my favourite rappers, the often overlooked Ant and other members of the crew are essential to the groups sound.

Slug is the centrepiece of the group and has a strong performance on this album. Slug's lyrics have  grown with him over his long career. His earlier releases focusing on younger problems like his problems with alcohol and women. By 2007 and Strictly Leakage, the content of Slug's lyrics shifted to be more personal and even philosophical. The Things That Hate Us and Little Math You are songs with lyrics that speak to more that conventional rap topics. Strictly Leakage is even comical, with songs like Domestic Dog, which recount Slug's attempt to pick up women in the grocery store.

Strictly Leakage is a complete album, that showcases the diverse talents of each member in the group while somehow remaining the most complete album yet. Its an upbeat 40 minutes of triumphant horn sections, solid processions and thought-provoking lyrics. I cannot wait for Atmosphere's 2013 release.