Kev Brown
I Do What I Do

LA RECENSIONE

The first time I listened to "I Do What I Do," I was literally fascinated by Kev Brown's productions and his remarkable class, which come together to bring freshness and vigor to the Hip Hop landscape of recent years.

A 32-year-old producer and MC originating from Maryland, equipped with an innate sophistication, as well as an excellent technical background, he began in the early 2000s with important collaborations that would help him gain depth and experience for the years to come. It was precisely between 2001 and 2002 that his reputation started to solidify, initially with the feature in "What Ruling Means" on "Re-Entry" by Marley Marl (nothing short of impressive), the production of "Special" for "AOI:Bionix" by De La Soul, and then with his presence in "The Magnificent" by DJ Jazzy Jeff with a good 7 tracks, which also led him to join the production team of the Philadelphia DJ, (A Touch Of Jazz), until the definitive consecration with the remix of Jay-Z's "Black Album", for the occasion named "The Brown Album," in 2004.

Brown's production style has often led him to be compared to figures of a certain caliber like Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, or Jay Dee (RIP), a comparison not so far-fetched, given the many affinities with these sacred monsters.

Soulful productions infused with Jazz, intense grooves, warm and deep basslines, are the main elements characterizing the sounds of Kev Brown and his collective "Low Budget Crew," which includes not only himself but also people who are beginning to be appreciated outside of the underground, like Kenn Starr, Kaimbr, and Oddisee.

"I Do What I Do" is an inspired album, at times sublime, that manages to transport the listener into its intense atmospheres, which in some ways hark back to the sounds flourishing in mid-'90s New York. A precise and attentive work, where from the first beats we get acquainted with Kevin's skills, as in "Say Sumthin", the opening single, composed of a classic 4/4 marked by a refined piano loop. "Outside Lookin" with a deep bassline introduces us to the two jewels of the album, namely "Work In Progress" and "Struggla's Theme", featuring Grap Luva, a crazy beat where the calm flow of the two MCs perfectly matches the thick drums and the almost dreamlike atmosphere of the track. Manifesto of the Brown's Style. (Very stylish). Beautiful "Hennessey" pt. 1 and 2, the first sees Kenn Starr at the mic, who with his dry and linear style accompanies us through the crystalline sounds created by Kev, while in the second we find Soul vocalists Eric Roberson and Wayna, in a track with a ReB flavor.

Then we move on to more genuine Rap in "Keep On" and "Hold Fast", where with his very personal taste, Brown brings us back to the glory of the Golden Era, only to dream again in "Albany" and reach the other masterpiece of the album, "Life's A Gamble". Also worth mentioning is "Always" (stunning, already present in "Class In Session" by Pete Rock and 9th Wonder from 2003) and the hidden track (watch out, it's awesome).

All things considered, "I Do What I Do" is a great album, compact, linear, and consistent with itself, that brings no particular innovation but offers us the consecration of an artist endowed with great talent, whose path seems already paved to soon take him to the ranks of the greatest. An absolute must-not-miss.