Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - All Souled Out [EP] (1991)

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01. Good Life

02. Mecca and the Soul Brother

03. Go with the Flow

04. The Creator

05. All Souled Out

06. Good Life (Group Home Mix)

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This six-song EP officially introduced Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth to the hip-hop listening community, and it is hard to imagine a stronger or more confident introduction. Pete Rock's unmatched production sound is already in place, fully-formed, drenched in obscure soul music samples and rumbling, cavernous bass. Characterized by his trademark sonic signature, muted and phased trumpet, and flute loops, the songs sound regal with endless depth (with the exception, perhaps, of his own enjoyably buoyant rhyming vehicle, "The Creator"). Of course, C.L. Smooth's lyrics have just as much to do with that regal quality. His vocals are so laid-back and understated, even soothing, that they can be deceptive and difficult to grasp. Once the listener finds a way in, however, there is much to be found in his words; bypassing the normal rap self-involvements, Smooth instead opts to make moral arguments and ask intellectual questions of the urban community, in essence holding a mirror up to that community without ever devolving into didacticism or soap-box judgment. He is decidedly tough-minded but also sympathetic. Standouts include both versions of "Good Life," the irresistible "Go With the Flow," and the anthemic title track, with rapid-fire rhyming from Smooth and a perfectly funky organ riff, but the whole EP is essential.

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mp3 @ 192 kbps / Stereo / 40,1 mb

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SAMPLE:

All Souled Out

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Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - Mecca And The Soul Brother (1992)

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01. Return Of The Mecca

02. For Pete's Sake

03. Ghettos Of The Mind

04. Lots Of Lovin

05. Act Like You Know

06. Straighten It Out

07. Soul Brother #1

08. Wig Out

09. Anger In The Nation

10. They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)

11. On And On

12. It's Like That

13. Can't Front On Me

14. The Basement

15. If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right

16. Skinz (Feat. Grand Puba)

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It would have been hard to match the artistic success of their debut EP on a full-length recording, but Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth did just that on Mecca and the Soul Brother, and they did so in the most unlikely way of all after the succinctness of All Souled Out, by coming up with a sprawling, nearly 80-minute-long album on which not a single song or interlude is a throwaway or a superfluous piece. Granted, 80 minutes is a long stretch of time for sustained listening, but the music is completely worthy of that time, allowing the duo to stretch out in ways that their EP rendered impossible. Again, the primary star is Pete Rock's production acumen, and he ups the ante of rock-solid drums, steady cymbal beats, smooth-rolling bass, and fatback organ, not to mention his signature horn loops. C.L. Smooth is the perfect vocal match for the music. He is maybe one of the few MCs capable of rapping a fairly credible love song, as he does on "Lots of Lovin'." "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)," a tribute to friend and Heavy D. dancer Trouble T-Roy, who was accidentally killed, packs a poignant emotional weight, but it is Smooth's more direct and conscientious, and frequently autobiographical, side which ultimately carries the album lyrically. The songs are connected and the album is propelled forward by Rock's quick, soul-tight interludes; these are usually bits of old R&B and soul tunes but sometimes they're spoken pieces or spontaneous, freestyle sessions. These interludes provide a sort of dense spiritual tone and resonance in the album that is not religiously based at all, but fully hip-hop based, emerging from the urban altars that are the basements and rooftops of the city.This is without any doubt.. A 5 stars Album.. Classic !!

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mp3 @ VBR / Lame 3.98 / Joint Stereo / 127 mb

(( AVERAGE: 229 kbps ))
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They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)

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Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Main Ingredient (1994)

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01. In the House

02. Carmel City

03. I Get Physical

04. Sun Won't Come Out

05. I Got a Love

06. Escape

07. The Main Ingredient

08. Worldwide

09. All the Places

10. Tell Me

11. Take You There

12. Searching

13. Check It Out

14. In the Flesh

15. It's on You

16. Get on the Mic

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Marley Marl disciple Pete Rock is rightly hailed as one of the greatest producers around. Jazzy and soulful, his productions are some of the smoothest, funkiest, most innovative, and listenable on record. Though he's produced a crate-full of hits, it's his work with front man C.L. Smooth that's most fondly remembered, and The Main Ingredient, the duo's second album, after Mecca and the Soul Brother--lives up to the hype. Smooth's proficiency on the mic doesn't match his partner's studio wizardry, but not many do, and Smooth's easygoing, free-flowing delivery complements the grooves to good effect (and more importantly, keeps Rock from taking on too many vocal duties). Great for parties or a lazy weekend afternoon, The Main Ingredient is fondly remembered for all the right reasons.

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mp3 @ VBR / Lame 3.98 / Joint Stereo / 116 mb

(( AVERAGE: 213 kbps ))

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