Willamette Week on SANTOTZIN & 'LNDB'
Berbati's Pan | 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579 | more info
Santotzin (CD release)
[INDIGENOUS HIP-HOP] I previewed Santotzin's Late Nights and Dollar Beers well over a year ago in these pages, and after a tumultuous year for both the artist and label, Battleship Records, the disc finally sees release tonight. Not as epic a development as seeing Greg Oden eventually block shots for the Blazers, perhaps, but this is still kind of a big deal. Even if LNDB doesn't quite represent the artist that Santo has morphed into in the two years since it was recorded—his more recent raps are less booze-centric and a bit more urgent—it's a fine, fun album that rings true from start to finish. The beats are live and soulful, as well. If Santo was one of the best MCs in Portland when Late Nights was recorded, he's approaching elite status now. Can't imagine it'll take too much longer for people to catch on. CASEY JARMAN. , 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579.
Mastered By Eric Aimes @ Super Digital, Portland OR
Executive Producers: Marc Petricciani and Julius Gallegos
Front and Back Photos By Evanjelina Owens
Inside Photos By Jason Bohanan and David Harding
Special Thanks to Everyone in the Skits:
J.J., Sleep, C-Man, Hainley, Joyce, Thin, Pro, Parma, Tag, H, Jaymen, Milc, and Shelly.