Arcane

Arcane is under the ground with 'Groundwork'
By Pablo Paz

Independent and underground hip-hop has produced several names, that I
wouldn't say are household, but are well known, such as Atmosphere, Aesop
Rock and Del the Funky Homosapien. But what do you get when you reach a
little bit further beneath the surface?

Looking hard enough one might come across the Independent group Arcane. They

have a surprisingly professional sound on their debut album, Groundwork,
which in my ears draws comparisons to the Cunnin Lynguists, Eminem, and
Atmosphere's Slug.

The group has a rare sense of awareness and humor, a combination not found
often in mainstream artists. The awareness is shown first on the track
"BiPolar", which has a catchy hook ending with the piercing line, "I wanna
live 'till the day I die." You see the same type of awareness on the track
"Absence of Motive?", which brings up the tough subject of HIV/AIDS... in a
hip-hop song. 'Nuff said.

Their humor is unmistakable on the track, "Bush". I'm going to leave that
one for you to hear on your own, it's just "totally sloppy".

Groundwork provides you with several good tracks that rival any other good
cuts in all of hip-hop. "Got Me" and the hidden track following "Lace 'Em
Up" are definitely some of the highest points on this album. Also, the
track "For Fathers That Bothered" has production and flow fir for just about

anybody, no joke.

Another intoxicating tune, "Stooping It", is an ode to a good time, a track
we can all enjoy in the car or at the crib.

Let me give you a little background on the group. They have rocked shows
with the likes of Method Man, M.O.P., Slick Rick, Digital Underground and
Pharoahe Monch, as well as making appearances in two consecutive Vans Warped

Tours. Needless to say, they aren't quite as underground as one might
think.

This group's sound revolves around their DJ, the amazingly talented DJ JE,
and their production, the majority of which is credited to group member JB.

Together Arcane creates great music that never really gets old.

Arcane takes this album seriously, for the most, and overall there are no
real weak spots on the album. If these guys sound like your type by any
chance, then give them a listen, I am willing to to be you will find their
music enjoyable.

On a flow scale of 5, Groundwork recieves a 4; cop it.

Groundwork is available locally at FYE and on the group's website,
www.arcanemusic.com.
- Pablo Paz

ARCANE – GROUNDWORK
-GRIND-MODE REVIEW-
by Dj Slim out of the UK

Coming from the backwaters of Vernon Valley in Northwest New Jersey, are Arcane with their debut album ‘Groundwork.' Offering straight up witty rhymes, pure Hip-Hop beats and on point scratches this album is a fine example of the old adage ‘It ain’t where you’re from it’s where you’re at.' Comprising MCs, Timmy Grins JB Arcane offer everyday rhymes like on the single ‘BiPolar’ and braggadocios thoughts on Hip-Hop (‘Chasing A.M.I.’) amongst the heat on this album. Capital X drops in as one of the limited number of guests on the smoky ‘Got Me’ while ‘Into Broken Glass’ sees JB put down a deceptively laid back beat for the Arcane MCs to bless. Flipping a solid sample on ‘For Fathers That Bothered’ Arcane talk on the often overlooked topic of the struggles non-deadbeat fathers go through while ‘Absence Of Motive?’ cleverly incorporates segments of an interview with Dr. Boyd Graves to bring some knowledge on HIV – who says Hip-Hop never brings real knowledge? However it is not all about information as ‘Good Time To Roll’ brings a tale of a relationship gone bad while ‘Stoopin It’ talks on the everyday need to get away from stress and kick back. Indeed it is the normalcy of Arcane’s lyrical output that makes them stand out amongst a Hip-Hop scene dominated by larger than life tales, as they are not afraid to show signs of weakness such a son ‘Speechless’. The pubic hair rhymes of ‘Bush’ show a lighter side of the crew before ‘Friendly Interlude’ gives way to the horn and cut assisted on-tour based ‘Friendly Crash Spot’. Rounding off proceedings with the aggressive string supported ‘Lace ‘Em Up’ and an added hidden bonus Arcane have presented a back-to-basics Hip-Hop album that should build on there solid underground rep, but don’t just take our word for it, head over to www.arcanemusic.com for more info, audio and more. - GRIND-MODE REVIEW

A visit to this year’s Van’s Warped Tour will lead you to the Code Of The Cutz Stage, the hip-hop section of the tour. Pay attention to Arcane. Calling New Jersey home, TimmyGrins, and JB were definitely raised by the best hip-hop of the 1990’s, as one tends to hear hints of Cypress Hill, Naughty By Nature, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and Snoop Dogg in their flows and style of production, where the warmth can be felt in the samples and instrumentation that isn’t overdone. Their debut album is called Groundwork (Arcane Music), definitely lays down its title by establishing what they are about in the first song, then allowing fans to explore some of the finer verbal aspects of each rapper. One of my favorite songs is “Friendly Crash Spot”, partly due to the use of a sample by a certain band that I am a huge fan of, and it’s nice to hear someone of a younger generation getting into their catalog. Judging them from the songs alone, I sense that Arcane are about having fun in their music and on stage, WITHOUT being corny. A lot of new artists try to come up with a gimmick that makes them look like complete fools, and sadly a lot of fans take it as the greatest thing since the Flowbee. Arcane are not about gimmicks, just good music and lyrics, which is really all one could (and should) ask for.

by da bookman on July 20, 2004 - - Music for america

New Jersey / Hip-Hop / Rap

Hailing from Northwest New Jersey, Arcane has been invading stages around the country for over three years and performed with some of hip-hops greatest including, Digital Underground, Method Man, MOP, Pharoahe Monch, Slick Rick, as well as many others.

Arcane is made up of two MC's, TimmyGrins JB. As a group they have already made impact with their unique brand of hip-hop. Their style gained them recognition across the country and overseas. Arcane has appeared in such magazines and newspapers as Insomniac Magazine, Chronic, Grind- Mode, Fly, Belles in Monica, Hip-Hop Game, The Baltimore Sun, and The New Jersey Herald and the Baltimore City Paper.

Arcane's two single releases "BiPolaR" and "For Fathers that Bothered" both merited high ranks on national and international independent hip- hop charts. This summer Arcane will releasing a third single titled "Chasing A.M.I." and their first full-length LP titled "Groundwork." due out on June 22.
- The Record industry