"Actor/writer/musician/artist Mark Baranowski has embodied a number of styles in his career. Two CDs that show off his divergent interests are TECHNADRIFT (released under the name Marquis) and POINT BLANK (recorded as The Marksman). TECHNADRIFT is five tracks of house/industrial/rave mixes that are ethereal, raw and display elements of composers ranging from Brian Eno to John Cage. POINT BLANK is up-tempo rap/hip-hop, with gritty, in-your-face lyrics that are sometimes personal and confessional, but often take aim at targets ranging from East Coast/West Coast rivalries, to men who disrespect women. In any genre, he's the sort of artist who puts 110-percent effort into his work, and stands as an inspiration for musicians who are trying to bypass the big labels and go it alone..."
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Scott Barker, TUCSON LIFESTYLE magazine
"...Now, I'm not real big on gooey love songs, and Mark Baranowski doesn't have the world's greatest singing voice. It's kind of ordinary, and that's the one
thing I like about ['You're the One']. He's not trying to bowl people over with excessive production or shrill howls. He's just kinda singing. That's cool. What he does best is kick out the backing instrumental tracks. Those sound real good. Very much rooted in classic hip-hop. Quite nice..."
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Aiding & Abetting #179
"This music convinced a non-believer... I first listened to [POINT BLANK] half-heartedly, not knowing what I was getting myself into. What has been publicized about rap lately is how brutal it has gotten, everyone killing or being killed. As soon as I heard the title track, I remembered what it was like in the good old days, when all that mattered was being with your honey and heading to the beach. Even though I was more used to mellow music, something about the smooth beats and subtle rhythms sucked me in, and created a fan. The Marksman has taken us back to basics, before all the hate... Of course, it's up to us to join him for the ride. 4 out of 5 stars..."
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a "music fan", Amazon.com
"Rap music that goes way back, back to basic backing tracks and a focus on slick rhymin' and serious subjects. I would never have such a connection in 1988, but The Marksman kicks out in the style of Run-DMC and Paris.
Not as political as the latter, of course, but well-considered and introspective. Rap that focuses on, well, rapping.
The music is not much more than basic beats with some simple ornamentation. This isn't dance music. It's rap music. Like the olden days. A weird sorta nostalgia thing... Nice to hear some real rapping."
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Aiding & Abetting #156
"For a Polish-American Catholic from Buffalo, NY, Mark Baranowski, a/k/a The Marksman, makes some credible hip-hop. No joke, this is serious mellow hardcore, marked by space-alien keys, whompin' beats and The Marksman's tough, nimble rapping. He upholds his right to be white and comes on strong against gangsta rap in 'Hear The Flow' but wisely avoids naming names... Mostly he advocates a straight-edge, sharp-dressing lifestyle and hits out at intolerance and ignorance. Hardly any violence, just a little soft-core sex & a positive message..."
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Jim Santo, Demo Universe
"The Marksman nears what rap should be... POINT BLANK has it all, between dynamic beats and intelligent lyrics, to humor... If you want intelligent rap, with more than just a looped beat, then POINT BLANK by The Marksman hits the bullseye..."
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ummusic.com
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Comments
keep up the good work, check me out and let me know what you think
Thanks for being a fan, I'm your fan as well Lets be fans of fb too:) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-Lohnes/12012275279 Feel free to drop your fb link on my page and...
Greetings from Oklahoma !!!! Stopped by for a listen to your sound, and enjoying them !!!! Hope ya stop by and listen to us, and fan us back !!!!
great sounds
Sweet ! Peace from Sunny Detroit City !
All i can say ; yo , u're funky... Keep doing your thing...peace