JUNE 2008 ONLINE EDITORIALS
Diverge and Ethix - By All Means
By Greta Cornett
Straight out of Loveland/Fort Collins, Diverge and Ethix (D&E) are a hip-hop group consisting of two emcees, Darrin Williams (Diverge) and Cale Farnham (Ethix). This is their first “legit CD of working together” (their words, not mine).
D&E dropped “By All Means” promising a collaboration album. They exceeded all of my notions on the subject: local musician Dave Beegle mastered it; 11 of the 17 tracks feature collaboration with other artists; and eight different producers worked on the album!
The range of styles they have incorporated into their sound is astonishing and includes jazz, latin, and some classical, all while staying up-beat. Why We Came was the first song the duo wrote and it redefines what they are all about (love of hip-hop) while still reflecting on their past solo endeavors and their coming back together.
My Day featuring Pep Love of Hieroglyphics would have to be my favorite song on the album. It reminds me of a throwback to the 80s while retaining a sense of being “hip” with the new sounds of today.
Guest vocalist Natalie Ray, who performs on three tracks, adds a beautiful melody of a hook over the flow of D&E. Colorado heavy hitter Black Pegasus and Sleep step it up on the track Spittin’ Meth. Zion 1 makes his appearance on Pristine, which I love, as it puts me in mind of Eazy E (minus the super potty mouth).
From the writing to recording to mixing to mastering, D&E did whatever it took, by all means.