Jedi Mind Tricks — “The Bridge & The Abyss” (Album Review)

It’s taken me a while to get around to writing this review, but that is largely due to the incredible amount of quality hip hop that has hit the streets in 2018. So let’s not wait any longer.

The Bridge & The Abyss is the latest release from the legends of Philly — Jedi Mind Tricks. Luckily for fans of Vinnie Paz, you don’t have to wait TOO long between some quality hip hop releases in SOME form or another as Boxcutter Pazzy is a workhorse. However, this is the first new JMT album in three years so I was climbing the walls to wrap it around my ear drums.

I was not disappointed.

You know what you get when you pop JMT in the headphones. Aggressive spitting with cleverly crafted lyrics (which Paz has sharpened over the years to become first class), passion, realness and solid Stoupe beats. It’s a recipe for success that has worked time and time again and delivers on this new album. There are however a number of interludes which serve to break up the intense flow and delivery throughout the album — and while well placed, they do tend to get slightly distracting.

That is the only negative thing I can find to say about the album though. The majority of beats are perfectly on point with a handful really making me bob the noggin, and there are a couple of features including Czarface and Sean P that just have me going crazy — they are just that brilliant. Torture Chamber is my favourite track from the album and Esoteric just double times his shit to perfection, Legacy of the Prophet is just a flat out banger and Hell’s Henchman might just be the most savage beat on the whole record — which is saying something.

As always, JMT have delivered a first class album, heavy on content and heavy hitting. A few less interludes would have helped, but the live instruments and change of pace still work well together. There isn’t a track on the album that doesn’t fit or needs to be skipped so for me, I’m giving this album an 8/10.