Masquerades & Silhouettes

Track Listings

1. Theme From "The Ancients"

2. Shadows of Autumn [Dirty Version]

3. Thousand Fragments

4. Fake Charades [Dirty Version]

5. Crusades

6. Song of the Desert

7. Eyes of Dreams

8. 101 Pianos (I've Put out the Lights)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Though it's not always obvious, much of Massive Attack's sound is informed by their time spent in the hip-hop underground. So it's only fitting that the first release on their Melankolic label is from Lewis Parker, a youngster (21 at the time of this album) with a penchant for relating his experiences in science-fiction terminology. Parker, however--well, he's not a Jedi yet. His rhymes have potential, and he has an interesting outlook, but he has yet to find the verbal flow to pull it all together, though he comes closest on "Crusades," which is a shame, as it's the album's most generic track. Still, the eight songs here do occasionally sound as if they come from a galaxy far, far away--the production incorporates sweeping Brazilian tinges, clarinets, and some great drum sounds (though without any real rhythmic innovations)--but it's grounded in the familiar (a warm needle scratch, crackle-and-pop background). The force is strong in Parker, though, and this is a promising debut. --Randy Silver

Average customer rating:

Lost in the sand dunes
Lyrics are very philosophical but production is kinda bland.
hip hop's star child
ROCKS LIKE STONEHENGE
Masquerades & Silohuettes

Masquerades & Silhouettes
Lewis Parker
Manufacturer: Melankolic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000009N2N
Release Date: 1998-07-28

Tracks:

Theme From 'The Ancients'
Shadows Of Autumn (Dirty Version)
A Thousand Fragments
Fake Charades (Dirty Version)
Crusades
Song Of The Desert
Eyes Of Dreams
101 Pianos (I've Put Out The Lights)

Amazon.com

Though it's not always obvious, much of Massive Attack's sound is informed by their time spent in the hip-hop underground. So it's only fitting that the first release on their Melankolic label is from Lewis Parker, a youngster (21 at the time of this album) with a penchant for relating his experiences in science-fiction terminology. Parker, however--well, he's not a Jedi yet. His rhymes have potential, and he has an interesting outlook, but he has yet to find the verbal flow to pull it all together, though he comes closest on "Crusades," which is a shame, as it's the album's most generic track. Still, the eight songs here do occasionally sound as if they come from a galaxy far, far away--the production incorporates sweeping Brazilian tinges, clarinets, and some great drum sounds (though without any real rhythmic innovations)--but it's grounded in the familiar (a warm needle scratch, crackle-and-pop background). The force is strong in Parker, though, and this is a promising debut. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews:

Lost in the sand dunes.......2003-10-09

Lewis Parker was one of the first hip hop albums I can say I truly listened to without a moments laps in concentration from beginning to end, he takes you on a great journey though the pyramids to star wars without the usual unintelligent cussing that has become so prominent in hip hop today.
This album is a must have for any hip hop fan who likes a high degree of thought put into the lyrics.

Lyrics are very philosophical but production is kinda bland........2001-04-17

Lewis Parker is a very very good British MC who reminds me of William Blake in his lyrics and stylings and even topics too... However, the production is rather bland and Stonehenge like. I enjoy the piano samples and the various string samples and they remind of RZA. However, the lack of funk is rather evident and it seems more ambient in my own ears.

Song of the Desert and 101 Pianos are the album's highlights. I did like the fact that the album was short and without any filler material. Hopefully he can get a better producer. On the other hand, I did enjoy some scratching on the CD at least...

hip hop's star child.......2000-01-17

Quite possibly the most sophisticated (lyrically) hip hop album I've ever heard. His prophetic lyrics give an enlightened and universal insight into the human spirit. He's much like a Bob Marley, if he had been locked in room with the star wars films for a few years. He's easily one of the most intellectual and spiritually enlightened mcs I've ever been able to buy on a cd. Hip hop needs, now more then ever, for its mcs like Lewis Parker to be made more accessible to the masses. I'm going to give hip hop a second chance because of him. I would suggest all thinkers get this album soon.

ROCKS LIKE STONEHENGE.......1998-08-24

Hardcore Hip Hop for hippies and heads.

This CD is more amazing every time I listen to it. It sounds like Lewis likes Jeru, Digible Planets (Blow Out Comb) Attica Blues and Current 93(?!!!). I wish more MCs worked with unique extended metaphores.I'm feelin that dark ages mystic vibe like the black plague. Deadly.

Masquerades & Silohuettes.......1998-08-07

Masquerades & Silohuettes is a hip-hop classic. Although its fairly new, to me it is one of the best albums of all times. Number 1 reason why I think this album is so good, is that Parker is one of the few emcees that one could call a poet. His lyrics are deep and mesmerizing and along with some of the most innovative beats to bless my ears in some time, this album has me listening to it non-stop. The best tracks are "Crusades" and "A Thousand Fragments". Parker's lyrics on Crusades paint a mental picture of deserts and mystical castles while verbally striking down the fake emcees(an old concept, I know, but it is done with a new twist). On "A Thousand Fragments", Parker's poetry is amazing but his guest on this track, Supa T leaves a lot to be desired. All in all, though this album is one of the freshest albums Ive heard in a while. I can tell Parker put a lot of time into the beats and thought long and hard on his lyrics. Thi! s is NOT an album to be slept on!! I'd put this one right next to Illmatic...

Average customer rating:

the best of British progress rock
Very good, but not better these previous titles

Modern Masquerades
Fruupp
Manufacturer: Universal/Polygram
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Future Legends
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ASIN: B000EZ8A5S
Release Date: 2006-06-05

Tracks:

Misty Morning Way
Masquerading With Dawn
Gormenghast
Mystery Might
Why
Janet Planet
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Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Customer Reviews:

the best of British progress rock.......2007-01-04

fruupp - it's one rareness....unique...to the sound of "God's nektar".

Very good, but not better these previous titles.......2007-01-04

Very good, more theses others titles are betters

Average customer rating:

Modern Masquerades
Fruupp
Manufacturer: Si-Wan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00027J7OG
Release Date: 2004-04-05

Tracks:

Misty Morning Way
Masquerading With Dawn
Gormenghast
Mystery Might
Why
Janet Planet
Sheba's Song

Average customer rating:

Modern Masquerades
Fruupp
Manufacturer: Jvc Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00003CK6O

Tracks:

Misty Morning Way
Masquerading With Dawn
Gormenghast
Mystery Might
Why
Janet Planet
Sheba's Song

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Limited Edition LP-STYLE Slipcase for Initial Pressing.

Masquerade - Forsyth: Fanfare and 3 Masquerades / R. Murray Schafer: Concerto for harpsichord & 8 winds / Kulesha: Chamber Concerto No. 3

Average customer rating:

Masquerade - Forsyth: Fanfare and 3 Masquerades / R. Murray Schafer: Concerto for harpsichord & 8 winds / Kulesha: Chamber Concerto No. 3

Manufacturer: Centrediscs
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000009I6E
Release Date: 1993-08-25