Pete Rock
PeteStrumentals

Pete Rock is by now a legendary figure in the global hip-hop scene. Present since the early '90s with his faithful companion CL Smooth, The Soul Brother has given us classics like "The Main Ingredient" and his "Soul Survivor," in addition to having produced anthology pieces for artists such as Das EFX, Nas, Black Star, KRS One, Screwball, and many more. In 2001, he released "PeteStrumentals" on the BBE label, an album of 14 almost entirely instrumental tracks (rap is present in only 2) that enriches the "The Beat Generation" series, a true tribute to the figure of the "producer" (incidentally including notable works by DJ Spinna, King Britt, Jay Dee, and Jazzy Jeff with their respective and beautiful albums).

What to say about the album in question? Judging it seems almost unnecessary: Pete Rock filters funk and jazz through his perspective, deconstructs and reconstructs sound fragments at his pleasure with the elegance of an impressionist painter, and the result can only be magnificent. It transitions from the orchestral "A Little Soul" to the more raw and rough "Hip Hopcrisy," from the magnificent compositions of "Pete's Jazz" to the irresistible "The Boss," which brilliantly reconstructs the namesake track by James Brown present on the "Black Caesar" soundtrack, up to the only two tracks where rap is present (in this case by the UN), the wonderful "Cake" and the tough "Nothin' Lesser." There's no need to add more for a splendid album like "PeteStrumentals," a record every rap and music lover should own, a kaleidoscope of sound and sensations that will hardly disappoint you. And if the haughty demeanor of our subject on the cover might intimidate you, I'll leave you with a quote: "Never judge a book by the cover, discover The Soul Brother..." And I think that's enough. A classic.