I've been waiting for this album for ages; so long that I actually got that tingling feeling as DanielSan pieced together the obligatory intro track. When it finally kicked into the beat, it was large; large enough to transport the lyrics of the Polynesian prodigal son, Hau. The first vocal effort, On Deck, features Raph and BVA, forming an interstate tour de force. But while the vocal trio hit their stride by halfway, some of the initial timing didn't sit quite right. I was much more at home with the pure Koolism experience; Hau and DanielSan gaining momentum with Last Tango In Paris, proudly displaying the natural flow they're famous for. As Hau says on the short n sweet And This Is, "Hau and Dan: the two-man band". The Grand Opening is a standout, featuring some dynamic teamwork; Hau syncopating offbeats with sharp, cutting MCing of the highest order and Dan breakin up a solid floor-jammin groove with deft cutting. On Stage Presence, BVA is back as special guest with 1200 Techniques' NFamas to help create one of the more infectious and commercially viable cuts. Combined, the star-studded posse's voices sound tight and Dan pulls out a brutally sliced bass loop to do the trio justice. Hau's social conscience is exposed on Random Thoughts, a track that grows extra large for a fat chorus. Luckily, after Hau's spit, Koolism lift the tone, finishing a strong tracklisting with Koolism Is. There's enough talent in Australian hip-hop to fill the MCG but talent isn't enough; Koolism show what it takes to get to the next level: consistency, teamwork, experience and...more than a touch of natural charisma.

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Tracklisting
1 The Grand Opening
2 Warm and Easy featuring Rodney P (London)
3 Adrenalin
4 Self Portrait
5 Control introducing Axe Aklins
6 Stage Presence featuring NFAMAS (1200 Techniques) and BVA (Mnemonic Ascent)
7 Know Hau
8 Random Thoughts
9 Nite Time
10 Koolism Is
11 Ground Level (Intromental)
12 On Deck featuring Mnemonic Ascent
13 Last Tango in Paris
14 and this is... (interlude)

Full listing of KOOLISM releases