Zion I

Mind Over Matter is a perfect fusion of production and lyricism. A few D&B experiments aside, producer Amp One delivers jazz-inflected tracks that put a West Coast spin on DJ Premier's cut, chop and paste style. The resulting sound is rugged and stuttering, full of little bass drum nooks and high hat crannies that a skilled lyricist such as Zion can burrow inside of. Tracks like the aptly-titled "Mysterious Ways" reveals Zion's preference for abstract and (at times) ponderous lyricism, yet he also knows how to express himself simply and clearly.