Joe Ness – Ellipsis
Joe Ness – Ellipsis
This east coast rapper is known by several other past aliases, such as Jo Payso, Amillio Jones, settling on Joe Ness and he’s making progress in his career on “Ellipsis,” his first album so far on the Spectra label. For some people making music is more like a hobby but for artists and rappers like Brooklyn native Joe Ness, it is his life. He has been part of the rap scene for more than 10+ years and who has perfected the catchy hook to gain fans, he´s someone that enjoys word play and often you’ll have to listen a few times before you catch onto his metaphors and analogies. He has done shows in and around the city including Downtown Brooklyn College fest alongside Action Bronson, Joey Badass, Biz Markie and Pusha T. The album keeps an even groove throughout, with a performance from Ness which finds him absolutely dominating the record, material and all. This is the only week factor to be found on the disc, and it makes no secret of itself but allows this star to shine most brightly. The Reign and Swag Drippin’ instantly stand out, while the albums singles The Pilot and I Go To Work, keep the business steady. These are all good tracks, some with great female background chops, not a complaint one about them except to say the lyrical singing side beats the rap-heavy approach for me, but perhaps that is an east-coast thing, being as I’m not from there, but it’s all the same as it comes out in the wash. Other highlights are Got Dam and Sneaker Box. Spectra has been picking up a lot of artists lately of both the smooth and harder edged variety, and this comes from the latter, of course. It’s not a bad release, but he’s the strongest thing about it, that’s one thing clear. To put it in his own words to describe his philosophy: “In this world everyone is a key and we all open a certain door, better believe I got the key to this.” And that pretty much speaks the gospel on this cool bad boy from Brooklyn. With few if any flaw in sight besides not enough music, “Ellipsis” comes recommended.
SP Clarke
9/10