Recorded in 2014 between April & July, ‘Summer Ransom‘ is the 10th full-length release from Chris Shreve’s brainchild Free The Optimus. Mixing a number of tried & true FTO soundscape architects (ILe Flottante, Shep Bryan, Handbook, P.U.R.P.) along with plenty of new connections (Whokairs?, Soul Monk, Dylan Guye) makes for what feels like a new classic in what is already a deep underground catalog. The Professor anchors all 18 tracks with features from Mike L!VE, DJ Jet, Jrusalam, Tuscon, Martin Snoddy, & Trapbo’ Chad. The album was mixed & mastered by Whokairs? at his studio in Asheville, NC.
C.Shreve describes ‘Summer Ransom‘ as follows:
“A new chapter in the same running dialogue. To Free the Optimus means to unlock your absolute best potential. I was born in the summer–I want my time. We all want that. I’m claimin mine on some summer of George shit. This is an MC’s album. For rappers of all kinds, I want you to listen and feel some type of way. You either gon say go get em, or feel like i’m questioning your dopeness. And I am. If the shoe fits, y’all should wear it. I’m a true fan of the raw MCs out here doing this. I vibe with y’all in the front row. But that fake shit, that fradulent garbage, nah man. F@ck you. We’re takin this thing ransom.”
You can stream & cop this album below…