J-Ax
Deca Dance

Almost 5 months after the release of "Rap ‘n' Roll," here is the second part of the project titled "Deca Dance."

J-Ax wanted to release an album divided into two parts with ten tracks each, at the good price of €9.90. Many singers are following this trend, partly to counter the crisis in the music market, but I believe that our artist made the most intelligent choice, as an album of 10 songs can even be considered a complete album (consider that Venditti's albums never contain more than 8-9 tracks and cost around 20 euros). So paying 9.90 euros for an album of 10 songs seems more than advantageous to me.

It's worth noting that "Deca Dance" differs significantly from "Rap ‘n' Roll" as it has more electronic sounds and suits a summer atmosphere better, so it's not exactly the second part of "Rap ‘n' Roll" but an album on its own.

It starts off great with "Vecchia scuola" sung together with the former rival Jovanotti. It's nice to hear them sing together because both have been among the biggest contributors to 90s rap, although personally, Jovanotti's rap never really thrilled me; I prefer him now. Whereas Articolo 31 will always remain the best. J-Ax sings the first two verses while Jovanotti takes on the third verse and the chorus.

The pace remains high in the second track, which is the title track, the album's first single. A nice tribute to the '80s and '90s with a lively, very summery rhythm. Although longtime fans might cringe slightly at that 883-style chorus. But nevertheless, it's a track to be listened to on the beach. Great choice for the first single.

I have a bit of trouble with the third song. It is titled "Il commercialista" and Guido Style's music doesn't overwhelm much, while the lyrics written by J-Ax and Marracash are bland. "Il commercialista, è un vero gangsta, è lui la rockstar" meh....!

It gets a bit better with the fourth track "I bei tempi" even though the chorus "tanta nostalgia dei bei tempi andati" reminds me a bit too much of an old Articolo success, namely "2030" especially in the line "tanta nostalgia degli anni ‘90". It doesn't leave a strong impression right away but is catchy.

The level rises with the beautiful slow track "Come un sasso" with the chorus sung by Guido Style and lyrics that occasionally bring back those autobiographical elements that J-Ax has accustomed us to, especially when hearing about the Itis school in San Donato or the cousin's broken scooter. "I love paranoia" is a great fast track, which could be considered as a single. The music immediately gets into your head, and the rhymes work well.

"Immorale" also has nice rhymes and fast music that manages to captivate.

"Come Willy l'Orbo" has an interesting text, but it doesn't really stand out thanks to the entirely bland and lifeless music. Things get better with "Anni amari" in a duet with Pino Daniele. J-Ax seems to want to repay the favor to the Neapolitan singer, as they had already duetted together on the track "Il sole dentro" on Pino Daniele's latest album. With the difference that piece was terrible, while this song is beautiful. The chorus is well sung by Pino Daniele, who also performs a beautiful guitar solo after the second chorus, while the text is very biographical and tells the life of J-Ax as a star who still feels like an ordinary person.

It concludes in great style with "Vendesi idolo" dedicated, as Ax himself says in the intro, "To all those who are on my back, who say I can't do the album with Guido with Spazio, with this one and that one. This shot goes to your big face". Very fast-paced, a great ending.

In conclusion, I can say that this album is definitely something very interesting, considering the Italian music albums circulating these days. And I wouldn't mind seeing it reach the top spot, knocking Ramazzotti out. In fact, I think it truly deserves it. Maybe the rhymes are no longer as captivating as they once were, although the metrics remain impeccable.

However, there's something that doesn't sit right with me. J-Ax himself stated that "Rap'n' Roll" was the winter version, while "Deca Dance" is the summer version. But then why on the cover of the first does he appear shirtless, while in this one he sports a nice jacket and cold colors prevail?

Until the next review.....