Strange Symbols are Underrated

I became a supporter of Waco, Texas-based producer S1, a.k.a. Symbolic One, and his group the Strange Fruit Project after they sent me their breakout 12'' “Luv Is” early in the decade.

They caught my ear with their warm, soulful production, jazzy vibes, half-rapped-half-sung vocal stylings, and personable lyrics, so I showed them love on mixtapes, here on Imageyenation, and on the radio.

Their last LP, 2006's ‘The Healing,’ lacked the unique organic charm of their previous LPs ‘From Divine’ and ‘Soul Travelin’ though, so I sorta lost track of the crew at that point.

Apparently S1, who collaborated with G-Unit affiliate Illmind on 2005's ‘The Art of One Mind,’ has been on his grind since, and the ‘Still Underrated Mixtape Vol. 1’ is the fruit of his labor.

S1 ‘Still Underated Mixtape Vol. 1’ (.ZIP)

Like the most recent output from his group the beats on ‘Still Underrated’ aren't as founded in the earthy Soul and Jazz-inspired sounds and city-country-savannah-spanning spirit of his earlier output.

But with guest-spots from Imageyenation favorite Blu, Wu clansman Inspectah Deck, and backpacker heroes Little Brother and Slum Village, and a rollicking remix of Beyonc�'s “Single Ladies” it's worth a listen.