Pathways is the sophomore solo album from Beatmonstas member Phashara. The Chicago emcee and producer (he produced all but three tracks on Pathways) originally had a high concept name for the album, attempting to compare how traditional high art is created and received with how art is expressed when coming out of the hood. After growing tired of explaining the concept to everyone and making sure each song he wrote fell in line with the theme, Phashara decided that he needed a new direction and title for the album. The new title, Pathways, refers to a review in which it was stated that Phashara “walks his own path.” With that, we get a simple yet powerful message about forging your own identity without any baggage. It works for me, and it certainly works for Phashara.

There’s not a lot of gimmicks or flash with Phashara - his music is straight to the point. As a producer and an emcee, he’s drawing on an influence of east coast hip hop of the early to mid ‘90s, namely artists like Gang Starr or Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth. Sure, it’s been done before, but it works really well when done right - drop a simple but effective groove, mid tempo, don’t let it get too busy, then let the lyrics guide the listener through the song. It sounds easy enough, but it takes a certain level of skill and maturity to make it all come together and still be interesting, one which Phashara possesses. One listen to “Langston Hughes,” with fellow Beatmonsta Noble Dru, and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. The beat has a great jazz/R&B feel to it, and the way he slows down the drums with a stutter before switching up sections is a nice touch, as both emcees deliver lyrics that discuss race, music, and literature in some really smart and interesting ways. “Codes,” produced by Dru and featuring Sadat X from Brand Nubian, does a great job breaking down the so-called “codes” that people live with, especially within hip hop and the hood, and the trappings they create. It serves to remind the good things that Sadat X and Brand Nubian brought to the table back in the day, despite X’s recent foolish and ignorant comments that there’s no girl that can rap better than him (Seriously, dude, there are and there’s no shame in it. Having just seen Psalm One, I would take no shame in admitting that she is a better emcee than myself. She’s just that talented. Get with the times our be irrelevant, Sadat.). “Drop Bombs” is the funkiest song on the album, and is sure to get people on the dance floor. The title track actually reminds me a bit of Blackalicious, with the subtle shaping of the track by a marimba line, while Phashara critically examines his life and his music, all while keeping a sense of humor about himself.

With Pathways, Phashara’s audience should hopefully be expanding. He’s a talented emcee and producer, and he strikes a good balance between entertaining and educating and challenging his listeners. It might not be groundbreaking, but when it’s done right, it doesn’t have to be. It’s just good.