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Rating:
Someone said that gratitude is a feeling that ages quickly, but as far as I'm concerned, in my case, it will be hard to die.
This is the impulse that drives me to review an album by Pete Rock, a man who over the years has managed to accompany me by the hand, introducing me to the world of Hip Hop, a universe as magical as it is controversial. If we were to rank the best Rap producers of all time, he would certainly be in the top three or four positions. A figure who has set the standard in the global Hip Hop scene, present in the scene since the late '80s, when along with another legend, going by the name of Marley Marl, he began to take his first steps as a DJ on the radio show titled "In Control with Marley Marl." Indeed, the popularity given by the program led him to form, together with C.L Smooth, in the early '90s, the most stylish duo Hip Hop has ever known. After an EP called "ALL SOULED OUT" and two absolute classics, "MECCA AND THE SOUL BROTHER" from '92 and "THE MAIN INGREDIENT" dated 1994, the duo disbands, and Pete embarks on a brilliant solo career, starting with the production of "CENTER OF ATTENTION" by Ini, in 1995, and "THE ORIGINAL BABY PA" of the same year, up to 1998, the year when this small encyclopedia of '90s Rap, of a distinctly Black nature, is born.
Released by Loud Records, "SOUL SURVIVOR" concentrates all Pete Rock's knowledge of Beatmaking, a work that is nothing short of superlative, where nothing is left to chance, a masterpiece of HEART, PASSION, and TECHNIQUE. Pete doesn't just produce; Pete enchants, illuminates, his complete style moves from the "rawest" production to the refined beat, managing to vibrate deep strings of our purest feelings in every case.
His is a continuous pursuit of perfection, samples chosen with manic care, beats cut with the same skill as a Kendo warrior, and the thick drums that have now become his trademark.
The respect he enjoys is immense, demonstrated by the massive presence of genuine mic legends (Method Man, Raekwon, Prodigy, Ghostface, Common...) that embellish almost every track on the album. It starts from the East-West blend, Inspectah Deck-Kurupt in "Tru Master", passing through the ass-kicking track "Respect Mine," in my opinion, one of the most powerful beats ever, with one of the greatest MCs ever, the Crooklyn Dodgers O.C, (listen to believe), the tributes to the old school ( Truly yours 98 reprises the eponymous piece by Marley Marl from 1989, with a very spry Kool G Rap), to the suave mood of "It's About That Time," featuring Black Thought and Rob O, or also the warmth of "Take Your Time," born from the collaboration with the English RnB trio Loose Ends (the beautiful refrain by vocalists Jane Eugene and Carl McIntosh), the Jazzy motifs of "Mind Blowin" with the always great Vinia Mojica and the unstoppable style of the Title-Track, with Pete Rock's rap, proving himself great even at the Mic. (Still in basement, for four years arranging, lyrics and beats, my first lote engagement, it's outstanding, the boy wonder's back in the world, by popular demanding on top commanding, my own destiny, go ahead try to test me, I been living right so expect no less G, got positive reaction and affirmative action, the Soul Survivor guaranteed satisfaction...).
Tracklist
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