a.k.a. SUBLIMINAL

Remember when hip hop was real and had soul? When lyrics were carefully thought out and clever? When having fun and having a message could co-exist? Those themes aren’t a thing of the past, you just have to dig a little deeper, and when you do they’re beautiful to find. Toronto producer, beatboxer, emcee, DJ, and actor a.k.a.Subliminal combined those themes on his newly released album Trainathought covering everything from love to politics. It’s as feel good as it is thought provoking, as focused on lyrical content as it is quality production and as musically soulful as it is beat driven (the beat box interlude is pure fun). “Trainathought” features Hezekiah, Rah Digga, Dre Marone, Lisa Banton and more on the soul-hop flavored no-skip odyssey. It was a thrill and an honor to be included on the intro. This is a project that I was happy to take a small part in and I’m even happier to recommend it to you. It’s a head nodding, beat bumping soul-hop celebration in 17 tracks. Check it out. - Honey Woods of Honey Soul.com

Our good friend DJ Niceness put me on to this cat last week. He said ‘Tricksta, I know you appreciate good music and talented musicians & songwriters, so check out my man a.k.a Subliminal. Now without being rude, we do get tons of CD’s week in, week out and a lot of them are good, so I checked the CD thinking it must be good after this big display of support from one of the UK’s leading R’n’B DJ’s.
Okay fast forward to the next day, I’ve poured me a drink and got ready to absorb ‘Trainathought’. From the first joint ‘It’s Like That’ I was hooked!!! WOW! This is real Hip-Hop, this is like Grand Puba, Common, Gang Starr, Mos Def, Talib, Tribe, Mablib and Floetry but it’s unique as well. It hasn’t borrowed any ideas its just a.k.a Subliminal doing his thing. Subliminal a.k.a. Sean Maxim Mauricette is a jack of all trades and on the album he puts in mad work as a rapper, beat-boxer, DJ, lyricist, producer and even artwork & graphics!

‘Beautiful To Find’ also sweeted my ear drums and was truly a great aural experience and I love the drums on ‘My People’ which is one of favourite tracks on this excellently produced and presented album. Flipmode’s Rah Digga features as a guest on ‘I Ain’t Going Nowhere’ where the two kill it over a string led groove. Next up was the impressive ‘Beat-Box’ interlude where we see more skills from the main man, as he beat boxes with the help of flangers, filters and all type of madness! Other tracks that impressed was the fresh electro tinged ‘I Don’t’ Know’ and the last track ‘Dream’ which oozes of soul and is so inspiring.

What I liked about Subliminal was the pure humbleness of his style. This ain’t now bang-bang shoot um up, girls & drugs rap, and its not watered down obvious rucksack rap either. It’s soulful and it’s Hip-Hop. It’s inspirational, it’s well thought out and above all it’s a really enjoyable listen. This is something we really strongly recommend you get your hands on! - RAGO Magazine.com

Do you remember why you fell in love with hip-hop? Did you ever think you’d see the day hip-hop grew up? While the answer to the first question may be easy, the answer to the second question may require more thought. Toronto artist a.k.a. SUBLIMINAL is set to answer both questions definitively when his highly anticipated debut album entitled TRAINATHOUGHT drops this Thursday, June 4th. With TRAINATHOUGHT, a.k.a. SUBLIMINAL has gifted Toronto and the world with a brand new sound where hip-hop meets soul: soul hop, which is a unique blend of the live instruments of 70s soul and the programmed drums of hip hop. “Think the smooth bangin’ beats of J Dilla, with a touch of Tribe Called Quest, a side of Digable Planets, and a pinch of Dwele.” says a.k.a. SUBLIMINAL who produced, arranged and mixed all 17 tracks on the album.

When asked about what sets him apart from other hip hop artists, he explains, “My boy recently asked me to name some current hip hop artists that you’d let your 9 year old listen to? After several minutes of thinking about it, I could only come up with 2. I am proud to say that my album easily answers this question. You won’t find any fast food music on my album…it isn’t about bling, or disrespecting our women. Soul hop isn’t about money and negativity but rather positive energy and matters of the soul.”

Passengers can expect a panoramic view of a.k.a. SUBLIMINAL’s world. I love that this album has something for everyone: “It’s Like That” will set your night off right, while “Stuck To You”, “What’s Good”, “Get ‘Em” & “I Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” ft. Rah Digga (yeah, that’s right, Rah Digga) are guaranteed to keep you on the dance floor. The conscious tracks “My People” & “Change The World” ft. Ania & Al. St. Louis, comment on pertinent social issues. Gentlemen will relate to the tale of love lost with “I Don’t Know” and the hit single “Crazy” ft. Dre Marone. And ladies will adore “Beautiful To Find” ft. Lisa Banton and rejoice that the song “Beauty On Your Skin” is a smooth and sexy offering that leaves the lewd lyrics at the door.

Not only is he a talented producer, emcee, beat boxer, DJ and actor but a.k.a. SUBLIMINAL holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Toronto and is also an active member of his community, mentoring youth to follow their dreams as illustrated with his song, “Dream” ft. Oakdale Park Middle School.

This album is personal to me for a number of reasons. For those of you who know me, of course you understand why. And for those of you who don’t know me, I’ll reveal a few details. First and foremost, I’m his #1 fan and I truly believe in the beauty of his music. Over the past 2 years I’ve witnessed firsthand a.k.a. SUBLIMINAL’s journey to share TRAINATHOUGHT with the world.I’m extremely proud of him.

Secondly, I was given an opportunity to contribute to TRAINATHOUGHT in many ways (“Crazy” & “Get ‘Em” are songs I helped to create).

Believe me when I say that TRAINATHOUGHT is for you! If you love real hip hop, feel frustrated and abandoned by the current state of the genre, TRAINATHOUGHT is for you! If you’ve shouted at your radio while looking for a song with substance, TRAINATHOUGHT is for you! For years, I’ve wondered if I’d ever see the day hip hop grew up. TRAINATHOUGHT gives us hope: soul stirring beats, with positive messages that everyone can enjoy. People, are you ready?

On Thursday, June 4th, 2009 inside Harlem Restaurant and Lounge, located at 67 Richmond Street East, a.k.a. SUBLIMINAL will launch his highly anticipated debut album entitled, TRAINATHOUGHT. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 10 p.m. This is a free event, with no cover so come on out to support!!

Let the world know that there is a place for positive, feel good, SOUL HOP!!! - Nia's Piece

Subliminal seems to be a popular rap moniker these days. In order to distinguish one from the other, Ya'akov Shimoni is a rapper from Israel, while Sean Mauricette is from Toronto, Canada, and calls himself "aka Subliminal." With the preamble set aside, aka Subliminal raps, beat boxes, jokes and lays down blue prints. Before you snatch away this college educated architect's street cred, it's important to know that aka Subliminal chose to "err" on the side of books. His message is for those who still don't believe a rapper can be anything more than a spokesperson for exotic cars, expensive dental decorations, and wannabe vixens. Respectful homage to women, respectful frustration with them and children voicing their aspirations are subject matter worth the listen. aka Subliminal proves that a college education does not take away from one's legitimacy as a rapper. Aside from the obligatory voice mail introduction and machine-rich beats, Trainathought is worth a listen.
Notable songs: "It's Like That," "My People," "Beat-Box Interlude" and "Change The World."
Vocals: 3 stars
Lyrics: 3 stars
Music: 3 stars
Production: 2.5 stars
SoulTracks Call: Recommended - Soul Tracks

Hip hop will come a long way if artists take the lead from a.k.a. Subliminal. His debut album Trainathought is entrenched with grooves deeper than an ocean oil well, musicianship as solid as the drilling rig, and word play as sharp as the drill bit. And what is he digging for with this self produced, written, and designed album? It is not oil, money, mansions, bling, or any of the other mainstream rap mainstays. He is digging for a deeper influence on hip hop culture.
A hip hop artist, with a degree in architecture, he has laid the blue print for a sub-genre of hip hop called Soul Hop. A style concerned with positive messages, introspection, and sentiments other than dreams of riches.
Trainathought is a ride through the mind of an artist wanting to bring hip hop back to a deeper meaning, and the block party where kids can be present without their parents covering their ears. It is meant for all ages, but definitely adult friendly.
Standout tracks on the 17 track Trainathought include Beautiful to Find (featuring Lisa Banton), Change the World (featuring Al St. Louis, and Ania), Make Up Your Mind (featuring Karen Jules), and Crazy (featuring Dre Marone.)
The album is available on iTunes, amazon, and CDbaby.com - Jef Kearns- SOUL FLUTE NEWS