Cedric T. Bolton, also known as Blackman Preach has interview with the Legendary Hip-hop artist Chuck D and co-host Gia’na Garel filmmaker/ producer, is a visionary who has produced and arranged his sophomore album Bumpy Tymes. This phenomenal release offers eight insightful poems, outstanding production and stellar tracks. Bumpy Tymes was set to release in February 2006 but was postponed when the original lyrics were misplaced and never found. Cedric regained his inspiration and momentum to re-write the poems for the album following a benefit for Hurricane Katrina survivors from New Orleans who were living in Syracuse, New York.Invasion was the first dedicated poem for the benefit and album. It fires lines such as:"45 seconds to pronounce the real deal/ DEAL / mass destruction by hand/ HANDS/ many hands steering air born cancers that kills/ killed Dorothy to lung cancer/ and she didn't smoke/ I guess Ms. Evers great-great-grand children carried my mother's/ mother/ to the land mills in Mississippi…"The other poems on the album are: Death March, Hip-Hop Framed, Word, PowerLess, Camden, Bumpy Tymes, and a remix to The State of the Ghetto Address. Dr. Gwendolyn D. Pough is featured on the album with her poem Word. Sal Chisari engineered Bumpy Tymes at Red Brick Recordings. London Ladd created the cover art for the album. Cedric's collection of poems has been compared to Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets, Nikki Giovanni, Tupac, Dead Prez, The Coup, Public Enemy and many others in the poetry movement for change. Cedric, a native of Paterson, New Jersey and an alum of Western Washington University, currently resides in Syracuse, New York with his wife. Bumpy Tymes is the inspirational and positive recording you've been waiting for! Get your copy and support the poetry movement TODAY! Purchase your copy right NOW!OFF- DA-RECORD: RATING 4 OUT OF 5 FISTS “Coming off a satisfactory debut album, Blackman Preach (from here on BP) again showcases his interesting blend of spoken word and hip-hop in his second release ‘Bumpy Tymes.’ Written, performed and produced by a leading figure in our Syracuse community, Cedric Bolton, the album is an almost complete and unflawed representation of current issues afflicting the Black man and women in America.The lyrical content of the album is both relevant and interesting. Every track provides a significant, thought provoking comment requiring full concentration for full comprehension. Thus, this is not an album to listen to on a lazy Sunday while doing your work.Directly critiquing the powers-that-be in society, ‘Death March’ is a definite standout on the album. Its old school hip-hop vibe is sure to induce head bobbing, and its lyrical progression is undeniable. One line in the track hits especially close to home for us college kids; ‘with smoke screens tied to universities/ and corporate trickery of diversity/ and its going to kill the flow of colored folks/ working for a better world.’Another must-listen-to track is ‘Bumpy Tymes.’ ‘As they push the Weapons of Mass Destruction/ They do it so gracefully smiling,’ recites BP, referring to the extreme negative impact America’s leaders’ ignorance and negligence have on people of color. BP’s versatility and ability to collaborate his words with the surrounding music makes the album a treat to listen to. Though lacking in interest at times, the production also reflects significant pre-meditation and flaunts excellent mixing and mastering. That said, the genius of BP’s lyrics might have shone a little better without the background music, or with a more simplified version of production.It would be impossible to fully explore the album in a review confined to the dimensions available here. So, this writer’s advise is find Cedric Bolton (Head of OMA) on campus and cop the album; it will serve you well. Reviewed By THE BLACK VOICE, Syracuse University
