Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom
Mystic is the one folks have been waiting for. The Bay Area singer/rapper exudes the kind of bona fide b-girl bravado that, underneath their macho posturing, very few male MCs can match. Not a holier-than-thou granola dreamer, Mystic is a rhyme rebel who assesses harsh realities unflinchingly, with nerve and tenderness at the same time. She’s a skilled MC, as evidenced by the intricate wordplay and cadences that she showcases on hardcore cautionary tales such as “The Gottas.” She’s also a
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(out of 44 reviews)
List Price: $ 12.98
Price: $ 26.00
Review by J. Johnson for Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom
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It was the summer of 2001(a mundane summer,I must add) and on the television,Mystic’s “The Life” came on the screen.Instantly,
my eyes were glued.Who is she? What is she about? All these things popped into my mind.I wanted desperatly to know this Mystic girl was.Fast forward to October 2001.I’m at Borders’ and I saw Mystic’s
debut album,”Cuts For Luck,Scars For Freedom” for a low price.
I picked it up and fell in love with this album.Mystic(Madeline Ludlum) is a b-woman from the Bay Area.A fiery
MC,soothing singer,and introspective poet.Like Lauryn Hill,
Bahadmia,and Jill Scott rolled into one.Her music is wise and multi-facted.Slow,assuring then urgent and political.Hands down,
“Cuts For Luck,Scars For Freedom” is one of the most sincere debut albums in some time.Opening with a warm spoken intro in which the listener is assured to “kick back,relax,open up your mind,and let your pain go”.Then we enter into “Ghetto Birds”,a bleak yet inspring sermon of the wrongs of materialism and political corruptioness
in the urban community.”Neptunes Jewels” is a breezy ode to the right mate.”This is a B-girl ballad for true”,Mystic rhymes.
“The Gottas” is a honest ode to the downfalls of misguided thugs.But the joyus “The Life” that is one of the standouts
(honestly,all the tracks are standouts).It’s warmly sung chrous and peaceful message just takes you over.It’s suprising that this song did well in commerical markets because it’s so meaningful.”Once A Week” is a playful ode to casual sex that doesn’t come as corny or trashy.After the interlude,”Dave Ghetto”,we delve into “Forever And A Day”,a beautiful,moving
ballad that’s both plantitive and uplifting(much like the rest of “Cuts”).I love this song! I can’t say enough.One reason why this song is so great is because Mystic shows her singing skills.With easy synth wiggles,”D Boy” tells the tale of a down-trotted hustler.After “D Boy”,there’s the sweet gem,”You Say,I Say”.Like “Forever And A Day”,this is a assuring ballad that shows of Mystic’s soothing,beautiful voice.And again,the vibe of the song is so real.I’m loving this one right here.
The sorrowful yet uplifting “A Dream” is moving and again-REAL.
But another major standout comes in the form of “W”,featuring a shining rhyme from Planet Asia,Mystic softfully rhymes about her homestate of California.Again,I LOVE this one.(This song actually won a Grammy nomination).
“Fallen Angels” is a bass-driven lament of late hood soldiers.
Moving.The funky “Girlfriend Sistagirl” is a fierce ode to young females.
But “Fatherless Child” is plain POWERFUL! Actually,this song nearly brought tears to my eyes because it’s so descriptive,
honest,and beautiful.Mystic reveals that her late drug-addled
father who was absent for most of her childhood scarred her
(hence,the title).The song is just so vivid.It’s been a while that I’ve heard a song that actually stuck with me in a deep way.
The spacey “OK…Alright” and the lush “Spoken Peace” close out the album along with a lesser bonus track,”Destiny Complete”.There you have it.Mystic’s spawling,76-minute journey enlightens,uplifts,and leaves an effect on the listener.
“Cuts For Luck,Scars For Freedom” was easily one of the best albums of 2001 and brought something new to the table.
The beats and music on here are atmospheric and surreal.My only minor complaint for this disc is that I wish that Mystic had sang more.Other than,if you’re fan of music that wants something that actually has some depth and meaning.Here it goes.
Free your mind and pick up “Cuts For Luck,Scars For Freedom”.
Review by 7th Angl for Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom
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First of all, she is Mystic. Not “THE” Mystic. Second of all, this album is an eclectic marvel. Not only does she seamlessly bridge r and b and rhymes, but her lyrics run the gamut from religion to death to sex to virtue and a love of hip hop, all from a feminine perspective. Mystic is truly gifted in invoking imagery, and has no difficulty in her poetic manner to address political issues. This album captivates the listener, and each song is literally so chock full of lyrics, that at times one is confused as to which track one is actually listening to. Many songs breeze by the seven minute mark, but succeed in holding my interest. This album may serve as a mental workout, but this is due primarily to Mystic’s stream-of-consciousness wordplay. Indeed, her invective is introspection, and “cuts for luck and scars for freedom” is an album that makes manifold by musical means, the personality and make-up of Mystic’s character. Each track is a fascinating glimpse into a different facet of this individual. It’s hard for me to believe that she is associated with Digital Underground, but the tracks that are helmed by its production team complement her lyrics nicely, and do not detract from her content. By far, my favourite song is “Fallen Angels”, a paean dead-homie track that is very powerful and heart wrenching. Although sounding nothing like “T.R.O.Y” by Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth, this track shares in its appeal by poignantly illustrating the fact that death is an experience that affects loved ones each in a unique way, as Mystic recounts the sweet memories of a deceased lover that only she intimately possesses.
Don’t overlook this album if you are a fan of emcees like Common or singers like Jill Scott or Billie Holiday that give personal takes on life as they have come to know it.
Review by J. Storm for Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom
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On her debut album, Mystic brings forth a beautiful blend of singing and emceeing over a varied soundscape, with a result that can be enjoyed by all fans of good music.
She has a great singing voice, and displays it nicely on every track. Just as you’re getting drawn into her soothing sound, she busts into emcee mode, spitting meaningful lyrics with a seemingly effortless flow.
The first single, “The Life,” is an example of that. On “D Boy” she spits with fire & passion a vivid storyline about a young man caught up in the game. On “You Say, I Say,” she slows down the pace on a heartfelt love track with a mesmerizing feel to it.
The list of standout tracks is endless, as “Cuts For Luck and Scars For Freedom” has very few weak spots. At its cheap price, you cannot go wrong with this album.
Review by J. Williams for Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom
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If you don’t buy this album, you’ll be missing out. If you compare her to Lauryn Hill, you’ll be making a mistake. Yes she sings, yes she also raps. But this album [to me] is one of the most incredible releases I’ve heard. She sounds like no one. And no one could ever sound like her. Mystic is so beautiful, when you see the video for “The Life” she looks and sounds like a Goddess. This LP has so many stand out cuts on it. “The Life” is this mellow, enchanting, wonderful peek at what she’s about. “Fatherless Child” is a song for her recently deseased father. The truly amazing thing about this song is how effortlesly she takes you through her life. It starts out happy, with her birth. Moving on to the pain of her father leaving. Getting worse with him not being there at all. Then it switches direction with her and him meeting up after 20+ years and things are good again. Then, after a few short years back together he dies. The ironic thing is, he died on the same day she finally got her record deal. This is simply put one of the most touching songs ever recorded. I felt her struggle, her sadness, hell I even found myself shedding a few tears. It’s a gift the way she can open up herself completly. And the music behind her angelic voice and words makes it that much more stunning. “Neptune’s Jewels” is a love ballad, well of sorts. The beat behind it is pure hip-hop. And Mystic is speaking on a love for a man where she will “Dive into the treacherous sea, bring you Neptune’s Jewels to keep you happy. Fly into the merciless sun, bring you the sky because you’re the one.” “Once a Week” is another cool track She speaks on a man she likes, but doesn’t love, and probably never will. She doesn’t lead him on either. Telling him the sex is amazing, but her heart belongs to another man (Neptune’s Jewels) So they can hook up once a week and do whatever, but that’s as far as it’ll go. While it’s not perticularly deep, it’s real, and a lot of people can releate to it. “W” is a tribute to her home, Cali. The track and lyrics are incredibly chill. It’s a really fitting ode to the West Coast, songs like this make me proud to be from here 🙂
This lp is full of what’s missing in a music world, where it’s about how much ice you rock. How much money you got, all that material nonsense takes a backseat here. Just about every song on here will make you think. Make you smile, make you wonder, some might even make you cry. Her voice is so beautiful, she sings like an angel sent from Heaven. And as an emcee she can hold her own with the best of them. But even with the singing, don’t get it twisted this album is hip-hop at heart. People will obviously feel a need to group her. With the likes of Lauryn Hill, and even Jill Scott. It’s a shame, and a good thing at the same time. I say this becaue her lyrics are as true as any ever spoken. She is more poetic then most rappers and emcees. There should be no comparing her to anybody. But on a good level, it might make fans of the [other] artists they read she sounds like buy her album. And anybody who does, will find out she is unlike any other artist out there. And they will see that “Cuts for Luck & scars for Freedom” is classic material at it’s finest. With some of most heartfelt, timeless lyrics you’ll witness. And best of all, it doesn’t matter if you’re from Cali, or NY, or Germany. You can be white, black. it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from. Mystic speaks from her heart, something all people can understand and relate to. I can’t recommend this album highly enough. I fell in love with her completly after I’d listened to this all the way through. I feel like she’s somebody I know, even though I know I’ll probably never even meet her. I hope this is just the start of her greatness. If this is any indication, there will be no end to her greatness. She deserves a nod from the Grammy’s *COUGH* for album of the year and best new artist. We shall see…
Review by for Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom
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Mystic is an amazing female MC that has extreme talent that shows not only in her album, but in her live performance. She is NOT like Lauryn Hill, she is an original, gifted MC. Her beats and rhymes are what makes this cd a must have for all true hip-hop lovers.