A.O.N. - Restoration Process

When was the last time you heard a conceptually and sonically cohesive album?

I’m not talking about one or two joints that go with the album title and that’s it. For me, I’d have to go back to my BC days and I don’t want to name drop anyone that would detract from the focus of this piece which is A.O.N. With their debut album Restoration Process, this male-female Detroit duo of I-Ron-ic-Lee and EP (Da Energy Provider) capture that rare combination of consistency in both sound and theme with much success. Many may have peeped them on The Yuinon Prequel with Better Now. Separately, EP is all over the H.E.R Project, and I-ron-ic-lee has lent his production talents to both of those projects as well as to R-SWIFT and shai linne. For A.O.N.’s first full outing, I-ron-ic-lee and Maji are at the production helm and together they provide a sound and style that A.O.N. makes all their own, filling a void in our genre that can best be described as: rugged, jazz-tinged hip hop, with melodic funk. Man, we need a marketing budget! A.O.N. is an acronym for All or Nothing which summarizes their approach to doing hip-hop with God’s glory in mind. Give Him your all or nothing. I’m not sure if you’ll groove to this CD more than you’ll be encouraged by it or vice versa.

It’s hard to select which joints to highlight which is a good problem to have but for starters let’s look at Ready, the perfect selection to open the album after an introduction that explains the duo’s goal of restoration (see if you can recognize some of the “guest voices” on the intro). An old school hip-hop sample gives Ready a sense of familiarity, it’s embellished by scratches, well placed vocal drops, and manages to get you hyped and well “ready” (to rep Christ with truth to unbelievers including the “industry” and with consistency for believers). On her two verses, EP lives up to her name and the overall passionate delivery makes you want to stick around for this CD’s lyrical journey. All the guest appearances on this joint are perfectly placed. On Prevail, a rugged funk laden joint which offers Jesus as relief (remember that Rolaids commercial; “How do you spell relief, r-o-l-a-i-d-s?) features Yuinon members Quan of The Mad Prophets and Diallo whose rhymes are both too sick to get into here but peep the hook-

For those who missed it, Better Now is remixed with a “live band” arrangement and a coffee house feel. I guess we could call it Better New. Callin’ features a spoken word intro courtesy of Mahogany and a hook sung by a talented vocalist named Mo. After I-ron-ic-lee sets up the listener with a challenging yet empathetic verse, Techniq of the H.E.R. Project (in that unique NY delivery of hers) gives a lyrical step by step for the lost and unchurched. EP then encourages them with her verse and lets them know what lies ahead. This will be the joint to have playing when your unsaved friends and fam are in the car. Or should that be Be Healed? Hmmm. What’s next after responding to the call? Well, Elevate! On a solo track that you can dance to (not b-boy style but rather ballroom or hustle to) EP reminds us that our growth in Christ is an ongoing process. This track is a good example of A.O.N’s stylistic adaptability. First it’s a solo, which is unexpected. Then it’s mature in content, yet it’s danceable, with a catchy hook, but it’s not overly “hip-hop.” Then over a fitting drum and horn laced track that maintains the upbeat tempo but doesn’t overwhelm the vocals, I-ron-ic-lee responds solo with K.I.M. No its not a lyrical dissection to the Queen Bee or verbal therapy for Eminem, rather it’s a warning to believers against complacency, Keep It Moving. The “lone ranger” mentality many Christians fall into that can lead to depression and discouragement is confronted. No Breaks, featuring Mahogany Jones (5-Time Freestyle Fridays winner from B.E.T.’s 106 & Park) is sure to be a frequent “repeat” selection. Already previewed to responsive audiences locally here in the D, this may be the “single to shop”. Hard drums, flamenco inflections and intermittent vocal edits distinguish this track that warns of the continued onslaught of Christ-centered hip-hop.

Be Healed sneaks up on you, grabs your attention, holds it, and makes you ponder what exactly is holding you captive from freedom in Christ. Peep I-ron-ic-lee’s passionate honesty:

…I can’t walk this journey alone (I’m seeking you Lord)/I’m needing your sword/for the war that exists/in the midst of my trials and my tribs, and I’ve died and I’ve lived/And I can’t continue to move, I’m confused, so I can’t continue to lose/so I choose you instead of the ways of my past, removing my mask, I know it won’t last, so I finally ask/for help at that moment pride did melt/ cause the words you spoke soothed, and were truly felt/ and my heart was filled, so before you Lord I kneel, cause the word You spoke said to be healed…

AON then appropriately closes out the album with Livin’ It Up, a rugged anthem that captures the excitement of a walk with Christ. I’m not sure if this review has peaked your interest. I hope it has, it was way too easy to write. Everything from song placement, overall length, approach to songs, cameos, production, delivery and accessibility to listeners, (all listeners) gel on this joint. You know what, it just dawned on me. I got it! I-ron-ic-lee and EP are engaaaaged! THAT’S where the chemistry comes from. Awwwww! Either way this is an A1 release, cop yours swiftly!