You gotta love the companion piece. Unfortunately, some know how to do it, some don’t. Fortunately, Non Phixion knows how to do it. Witness “The Green CD/DVD.” Since it took them some 7 years of recording before they actually released an album (rule #4080), there is a lot to catch up on. The CD contains 25 tracks of new, unreleased, and rare material from the Brooklyn foursome. Even better is the DVD packing over two hours of tour footage, interviews, and live performances.
At the forefront of the CD is one of several new tracks called “Caught Between Worlds.” In their usual manner, Ill Bill, Goretex and Sabac contemplate their lives of good and evil over an aching Domingo beat. A frantic 10K banger “We All Bleed” is another standout (the two make up their new 12″). It wouldn’t be a Non Phixion release without Necro and he makes his presence felt in a number of spots. “The Freshfest” packs a nice beat, but it is more notable for the walk down memory lane rhymes. You know a song called “Criminal” has gotta involve Necro, and indeed, he provides his always rugged boom bap. Closing out the CD is their classic “Refuse To Lose.” Speaking of which, can we get “The Past, The Present, The Future Is Now” released on CD?
While I’m not sure of it, there are some tracks that sound fairly old, such as “Farragut Road,” “Info Junkies” and “Eclipse Promo” (check the Serch name drop). “Make It Happen” featuring DV Alias Khrist sounds like it was recorded when they did “5 Boros.” It isn’t as good, but it is nice to hear DV again. “Area 51,” a sinister Goretex production, sounds like an older joint as well. Keeping with Goretex production, you get “Implantable Transponders” featuring Ill Bill at his most paranoid, and “The Full Monty” from the “Defenders of the Underworld” compilation. Concert and mp3 favorite “Skum” is also included. Mixed in between all of this are various radio freestyles and sessions. When I say mixed, I mean it literally as the entire CD is put together mixtape style.
The DVD is the real treat here, there is some great footage of their shows and backstage antics but that is only the half. Over two plus hours you get Ill Bill, Sabac, Goretex and DJ Eclipse talking about everything from their childhoods, the origins of the group, the industry, porn, Uncle Howie, and Goretex getting locked in restaurants. For a Non Phixion fan, there really isn’t much more you could ask for than this CD/DVD.