Artist: Dillon Chase

Album: “The Pursuit”

Label: KINGDOM City Records

Link: MySpace.com/DillonChase

Date: Aug 23, 2008

RATING: XXXX out of 5 (due to needing more vocal charisma, worship, and songs of encouragement)

(NOTE: this review is longer than usual do to this being Dillon Chase’s sophomore release)

****THE BACK DROP****

“Save my mom please…I know she aint perfect / but, send me to hell cause I feel that she’s worth it!”

Those 2 bars OUT DO all the raw-fancy-word play, and metaphors found in the 17 layers of concrete that establish the foundation under Dillon Darnell’s house of PURSUIT. The marquee on the lawn simply reads “The Pursuit.”

Enter…Dillon Chase with a sophomore piece of craftsmanship. It’s a second coming and a solid coming I must say. Having said that though, I don’t mean to sound self-sufficient or self righteous but, I have no desire to have Christian Rappers present transparency for the sake of me feeling like I’m indentifying with their struggles or them mine. I believe the Holy Scriptures do a dynamic execution of baring witness of all that lurks and/or lives within us all…the valleys and the mountains, for that matter. But, I am not naïve that there is a large percentage of the Holy Hip Hop community that desire a Transparent attribute of artistry from the artist that they bump. Like the Ambassador bares witness of on his Junior album The Chop Chop in a song entitled “Checkin For My GOD.”

If it’s transparency that you’re looking for, and the marquee on the front lawn reading “The Pursuit” intrigued you, then come on in to this facility were the walls talk. You don’t have to wonder if they talk…I assure you, THESE WALLS TALK. As a matter of fact, scratch that, these walls don’t have to talk due to the fact that you can see straight through them mugs…cause Dillon Chase is a “Mutha-Luvin’” dynamic Glass Maker! One should be WOWed by the frame work of the house that Dillon’s Pursuit has built.

The beauty, complexity, and problem with glass is that it helps see things for what they are, which is good. However, at the same time, it too can be tainted, cracked, or smudged therefore potentially obstructing the vision of the viewer, possibly making it a challenge to appreciate the total view. And this is the case of Dillon’s sophomore album entitled “The Pursuit.”

There are some small, yet, critical cracks and smudges in “The Pursuit’s” walls.

One in particular is the lack of vocal charisma in Dillon’s lyrical delivery. Dillon’s vocal tone rarely changes over the course of 17 tracks on the album. No artist likes to be compared to another artist…..categorized MAYBE but, NOT compared. Yet…in Dillon Chase’s case, I feel compelled to make a comparison because it’s so undeniable that Dillon’s twang and swag make him sound JUST LIKE Trip Lee. This is Ironic that Trip had the same problem with having a lack of vocal charisma at moments of his career. Trip Lee is raw, yet, I expected Chase, not Lee, as the voice of this album. In the realm of “the lack of vocal charisma,” is the fact that Dillon slurs a lot of his words which had me do a lot of double takes and rewinds to grasp his punch lines, hooks, and points.

Another smudge on the glass walls of “The Pursuit” is the fact that Track Number 6 “I Fail You” clearly had the music production potential to transcend ethnicities, cultures, and creeds by leading the listener(s) into 100% adoration and worship of GOD. It’s Dillon’s album, NOT mine, so without a doubt he could do what ever he envisioned or desired to. But, I’m so disappointed by Holy Hip Hop artist that have songs that are directed toward or talk to GOD and those songs should absolutely be worship songs of thanksgiving; yet these songs turn into sorrowful, repentance songs to the Lord. Track 6 “I Fail You” is 6 min and 20 sec long and it doesn’t become superbly powerful and life elevating, the LORD who has placed His Christ within us, until 4 min and 10 secs. The gratitude of our Lord, and a song of praise unto HIM, begins at 4 min and 10 secs. But, that gratitude and praise is short lived when the track fulfills its last 2 min and 10 sec moving the album rapidly on to track 7.

That was just frustrating for me in my professional and personal opinion!!!

There was so much, so much, so much potential in the song “I Fail You!” I don’t speak from a place of tradition or conformity in regards to how slow the music was, suggesting a perfect worship track. NO!!! I am saying that the music production on that track seemingly SCREAMED “worship and magnify your GOD directly unto Him for He is Good.” The music production of “I Fail You” was unprecedentedly unique for the HHH genre. It was fresh and invigorating. I believe that if worship was flawlessly executed on “I Fail You” then it could have (without question) changed the soundscape of this album. I NEVER heard a track like this on a HHH album before and I’m a strictly Christian Music DJ with cases of HHH. Dillon simply did not capitalize on a great opportunity to VERTICALLY MAGNIFY the one who the Holy Text infallibly proclaims is able to KEEP US FROM FALLING. Jude 1:24 [please read this is vital]

“The Pursuit” is comprised 90% of songs that Challenge and Sharpen the listener which adds another smudge because there’s an echoing need for more songs that encourage and inspire the listener through the course of their pursuit of GOD. That is vital if you’re going to make a Holy Hip Hop album.

Yet and still, “this house of Pursuit” stands solid! Beyond the smudges, Dillon has crafted such a strong foundation of Transparency that the glass could not come crumbling down due to the critical cracks that the frame work and walls may have.

The album artwork, (in union with Track 11 “Something’s New” featuring Du C Zon) paints one of the most beautiful depictions of Dillon’s transparent heart.

The artwork embodies an immaculate photo of the Darnell family and in the center of this photo is the vessel who has firsthandedly experienced the transparent heart of Dillon. That vessel is Dillon’s wife Mrs. Darnell. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This picture depicts a family who has overcome fornication, disappointment, anger, children out of wedlock, shacking up, accusations, misunderstandings, outside scrutiny, etc. So, even though they say a picture is worth a thousand words (and this picture is saying a lot)… in the center of this picture something is saying even more; and that is the beautifully radiant smile of Mrs. Dillon Darnell. Her smile says that our GOD has overwhelmingly satisfied her during “The Pursuit” (and I aint just talking about the album “The Pursuit”). Her smile says that Dillon and She are experiencing a joy after overcoming shame, convictions, condemnation, and failures. Her smile says that this album, too, is her testament that The Darnell’s Pursuit of GOD’s heart is an undeniably fruitful and daily triumphant one.

The 2 bars quoted leading off this review are abstracted from the 2nd verse of Track 6 “I Fail You.” Even though I feel that the fervor and passion conveyed through this work of song is misappropriated, the song presents a sincere and genuine invitation to respect Dillon and his walk of Faith. In the song “I Fail You” the 2nd verse paints this picture in a vivid story about a situation between Dillon and his mother, Ms. Susan. In this very situation Dillon confesses to having thrown pebbles, rocks, and stones (in this glass “house of Pursuit”) out of his zeal for our Lord, in his attempt and effort to challenge and hold his mom accountable for her sin in contrast with her confession of being “saved.” Ms. Susan (according to Dillon) basically calls Dillon naïve and a participating member of a “cult.” The church that Dillon humbly and passionately serves under was accused by Ms. Susan (during this revisited moment in Dillon’s past) of being a “cult.”

My own mom and family members, too, accused me (DJ WanablesU) of fellowshipping under the influence of a “cult” which they referenced to be New Straightway Family Worship Ctr…my church home. This came from a situation (very similar to Dillon’s) when I lifted up a standard with my mother. So, to see through to Dillon’s heart, as displayed on Track 6 “I Fail You,” I accept the invitation to respect him and his walk of Faith. I’ve done a lot of YAPPIN’ about Track 6 because I emphatically feel that it should have been vertically directed to GOD in the joy of Him just being GOD; yet I respect the humility, repentance, and forgiveness that Dillon has executed on this song. Having said that, Track 6 “I Fail You” (even though Track 9 would be the middle of the 17 tracks) exemplifies all of the signs that nominate it to be the heart and nucleus of this album.

Therefore the picture of Dillon’s beautiful family shows his son Julian captured in the most awe striking aura of joy as to say that Messiah Fellowship Bible Church (Dillon’s church home) is the furthest thing from a “cult.” That’s why Julian is able to speak life into even his own parents (Dillon and Mrs. Darnell) with such scriptures as Phil. 2: 3, at the age of 5.

It seems that due to the lulled state of some Believers and non-Believers alike, of all age groups, that whenever the Holy Standards of the KINGDOM of our GOD are being practiced, enforced, and loved…that those who are the practitioners, enforcers, and lovers of GOD’s standards are labeled as strange or members of a “Cult.” That’s nothing but, the voice of the Accuser. But, have no fear for “…I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Rev. 12: 10

I’ve noticed in my own Pursuit of our GOD’s pleasure that a lot of adults and elders tell youth to come to church and serve the Lord but, when those very youth become UNASHAMED and UNmovable in the faith, then those very elders and adults, who once endorsed the youth having a faithful walk, begin to accuse the youth of being self righteous, too holy, over zealous, naïve, and in error. It almost seems as though those very elders and adults don’t wholeheartedly have the faith or belief in what they preach and pressure youth to believe.

Thus, we have the moment of reckoning as to what “The Pursuit” (both the album and the actual Pursuit) is fueled by…and that is a passionate walk towards the pleasure of our Dear KING, past the accusations that would have us try to please ourselves and save face or our reputations by giving in to those accusations. So, let’s dig into album “The Pursuit” a little further and see what tools and help Dillon uses display the standards that our very hearts should pound to live out.

****FEATURED RAPPERS, SINGERS, and PRODUCERS****

The production on “The Pursuit” is SLAM good. And makes this record very close to being a Mid-Dirty (MidWest/Down South) masterpiece. There is a gumbo of producers who did not solicit any garbage for Dillon to rap on. K-Drama (Regis Jones) kills three tracks. Tony Stone totally switched it up from his trade mark sound with two tracks. PeeDee who also did production on the STL’s FUTURE debut album “Wake Up Call” blazed two tracks. Brent Rice banged out three fiery joints. Ryan Green Numinus brought three of some of the hottest tracks to the table. Apaulsoul explodes the end of the album. Joseph Prielozny, Jessica Cole, and McKendree Tucker produced the most beautiful track I’ve heard on a HHH album. Jacob “Biz” Morris put a musical gem on this record. The Invisible House Band complements the opportunity for Dillon to represent as a Son of GOD vs. a Christian rapper.

As far as the featured artist Cam challenged himself by switching up his voice. He did his thing sounding like he was from the Caribbean for real along with PeeDee flawlessly marrying his swag to the beat on Track 9 “Die for the Brethren.” 1-Lyfe of Dry Bones lent a Jesus foot kissing-hot-lipped 16 bars on Track 5 “Back To the Cross.” I didn’t know that doobie (slang for homie) was so raw.  Julian brings an unashamed proclamation that Jesus is Lord and Sho Baraka switches the track up from a 1st person perspective with one of his dopest features on Track 14 “What Do You Pursue?” Dre Sr. delivers a rapid 16 seemingly in one breathe going “hard like cement trucks” on Track 13 “Go Hard.” Now, yall already know that anything featuring 16 or even 8 bars from Tedashii is going to have you gripping the brim of ya fitted cap in disbelief that there’s any track left to rap on. Tedashii did a “180 twist” on Track 10 “Walk Worthy.” Du C Zon added the sweetest blend of ad libs and singing on the Track 11 “Something’s New.” And Tre Marquis raps the album up with an energetic invite on Track 17 “Get To Know Christ.” This album really has well selected and executed collaborations fused with impressive music production.

****TRACKS TO WATCH FOR and OVERALL QUALITY****

Stand out tracks are “Something’s New,” “Don’t Cry,” “Back To The Cross,” “Live Holy,” “It’s Not Me,” “I Got To,” “Hear Me Out,” “Die For The Brethren,” “Go Hard,” “Walk Worthy,” “What Do You Pursue,” and “I Fail You.”

This album is solid and hands down one of the better albums to come out in the closing quarters of 2008. If you want quality Christian Rap and HHH then you’ll do yourself a disservice if you pass this one up. There are a lot of gems in HHH and R&P. And this album came through the fire and smoke to prove to be added to that list of gems.

One thing that is really enjoyable is the flow of the tracks through their arrangement. See, the album is divided (without interludes) into 6 sections: 1. In Pursuit, 2. Our Witness, 3. Our Failures, 4. Our Relationships, 5. Our Personal Holiness, 6. In Conclusion. Now this could have posed a problem because all the slow songs could’ve been in the “Our Failures” Section or all the Crank jams in the “The Pursuit” section. If that would have happened this album would have been a boring disaster. But, the songs complement each other and flow nicely from Track 1 to 17.

The most impressive attribute of this album’s quality is the mixing and mastering, seeing that Dillon mixed his own album….the whole thing! And this is one of the best sounding records in HHH that I’ve ever heard. Like I said I’m a professional Christian DJ and this album is a sonic piece of art. Dillon did his Bill Gates on the mixing…no lie. NOTE TO ARTIST…even though Dillon did a superb job mixing his sophomore album, I DO NOT recommend that you even attempt to mix your own record(s). Leave that to the professionals because mixing can Make or Break your album…Sincerely. Mixing is such a crucially critical part of putting out recordings. When Dillon retires his rap career though, hit him up cause he has a future in mixing NO Doubt.

The album packaging is very clean and sharp. I like that Dillon explains “The Pursuit” in the liner notes in a concise yet fluent way between the Pursuit of GOD through our Witness to our Personal Holiness. As far as the photography is concerned Dillon has some good pics. I probably would have picked different pic for the front CD Cover. But, overall KINGDOM City Records packaged and presented Dillon in a beautiful demonstration and display.

Dillon may have a small percentage of encouraging tracks and a lack of worship but, he does manage to still pull off a simply solid record that invites and demands your respect and attention. Dillon is a rapper who is far above average with his craft and ability to rap, compose, and rhyme. He is very good at conveying his thoughts in 5 minute songs which isn’t a long time to transfer understanding of any subject let alone something so complex as The Pursuit of GOD. Dillon is believable and there is immense maturity in his passions, agenda, and flow from his debut independent album “The Light” to this sophomore release “The Pursuit.”

There is a genuiness and a genius in this record that is rare from most artists’ recordings whether they be secular or Christian. Dillon’s heart has breathed and sealed Helium into this record allowing it to rise above his failures and its critical cracks that aren’t successful let that Helium seep or deflate the success or impact of “The Pursuit.”

So, ruuuunnnn Forest run…..NAW!

Chaasssseee Dillon, Chase……………… after the very pleasure of our GOD’s Heart!

BUY YOUR CD or DIGITAL ALBUM: http://thebus-shop.com/shop.cfm?prod=462