Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




Japhia Life
Fountain Of Life



Album length: 13 tracks: 42 minutes, 8 seconds
Street Date: March 21, 2006


Upon hearing the disappointing debut from Fresh Digress, I'd become leery about what Beatmart Recordings has to offer. I figured I would give them another chance, because I had heard Japhia Life's debut song "Love" on the debut Beatmart mixtape which came out a few years ago, and I liked what I heard. Now that his debut album Fountain Of Life has finally released, the question is: does it measure up?

Fountain Of Life is short, track listing wise. Thirteen tracks is short for any urban album anymore, especially in a world where the average album in this genre reaches 18-20 tracks. Still, Japhia Life fills most of his air time with his own blend of rap, hip-hop, R&B, and even piano-driven tracks. Though the rapper tends to keep the hip-hop flow going through the entire album, Japhia shines on his singing parts as well, and his voice and rapping style tends to take off of 50 Cent's style most of the time.

One major problem that I saw with Fresh Digress was the overuse of a chorus, and it tends to happen a lot here as well. Short verses compiled with longer choruses just don't seem to mix well with hip-hop. However, the beats and lyrics seem to be more original instead of just rehearsed, as they did with Fresh Digress, and Japhia Life has a real heart for the urban and city street youth. It's evident as you listen to his songs that he's trying hard to get the word out to them of Christ's unmistakable reality. Standout tracks include "Fire," featuring labelmate Rob Hodge, "Preacher Man," which sounds like a song about a childhood preacher who meant a lot to the rapper, and "All I Know," which includes a funky beat that compliments the lyrics of the song, making for a great hip-hop track. One song I just don't agree with, is the remix of "Love" included as the album's closer. "Love" is the song I'd heard quite some time ago and here it appears reimagined as a techno house mix, almost ruining the original completely. It would have been nice to keep the original on the album to give a small look into Japhia's past exploits.

All things aside, this is a decent hip-hop album with deep Christ-centered lyrics. Fans of Beatmart's previous offerings will find plenty to love here, and the new rap followers can at least give it a chance. It may not be flawless, but it's still worth a listen.

- Review date: 7/3/06, written by Justin Mabee



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Beatmart Recordings
. Album length: 13 tracks: 42 minutes, 8 seconds
. Street Date: March 21, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Intro
  2. We Cry Blood
  3. Sunshine (The Hood)
  4. Move
  5. Preacher Man
  6. Fire
  7. All I Know
  8. Hurry
  9. Hip Hop
  10. Joanna
  11. Stained Glass Window
  12. Don't Cry Momma
  13. Love (House Remix)
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images