Tee Double
The Return of the Artform (Kinetic)
Reviewed by Robert Gabriel, Fri., April 20, 2007
Tee Double
The Return of the Artform (Kinetic)
When Austin rapper Tee Double joined '04's nationwide Cali Comm tour, initial benefits included priceless exposure and direct sales opportunities. Three years removed from a stretch opening for Aceyalone and Zion I, Tee Double demonstrates further bountiful excursion through his 11th album, The Return of the Artform. Much of Tee's tour time situated the lifelong local MC under the production tutelage of Del the Funkee Homosapien. Along with his portable studio, Del taught Tee the worth of an efficient system of sample-based beat production. The results of the interaction, as heard on "Stay Up" and "Celebrate," point to a refreshing take on Hieroglyphic persuasion. Cuss-free flows affix themselves to the rafters of spacious jazz loops as "What I Need" and "Tell Em" revive the promise of optimistic flute. Perching The Artform atop a thundering heap of played-out gimmicks, Tee Double notches another direct hit on his mixer. (Tee Double helps celebrate KVRX's Local Live 11, Thursday, April 26, at the Irie Bean Coffee Bar.)
