Pete Rock & CL Smooth "The Main Ingredient" (30th Ann. Mix)

My excitement for this album was on par with A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders and Hard to Earn by Gang Starr; Keepers of the Funk by Lords of the Underground and even Wu-Tang Forever in '97. You just don't get that same feeling anymore, but enter Toronto's DJ Filthy Rich, who brings that classic nostalgia with his anniversary mixes that celebrate classic albums like this, The Main Ingredient by Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Filthy Rich's 30th Anniversary mix includes original samples, LP cuts, original blends and unreleased gems. He adds, "Pete's production went from a harder/dusty sound on MATSB, to a warm/melodic vibe on TMI. The samples Pete chose hit your soul in that sweet spot: from Cannonball Adderley on 'In The House', to George Benson on 'I Get Physical' + 'In The Flesh', to Roy Ayers on 'Searching'....masterful. Pair that with CL's smooth voice and flow, and your soul starts to vibrate...." Dig in and celebrate over 30 years of this classic below...

DJ Filthy Rich "Mecca & The Soul Brother" (30th Ann. Mix)

Toronto’s DJ Filthy Rich pays homage to the 30th anniversary of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s classic album, Mecca and the Soul Brother from 1992. Reminisce for a spell with a mix of original samples, remixes and unique blends, who adds that “The way Pete sampled old jazz/funk/soul records and layered them over hard, dusty drums was masterful (how he caught that little part on the fadeout of an Ohio Players record for "Lots Of Lovin" still amazes me). Combine that with C.L.'s sharp yet fluid lyricism (how many MC's could rhyme like THIS back in '92??), and you unquestionably have one of the pillars of early 90's NYC boom bap.” I agree, this was a masterful release. As I’ve said before, I had the honor of touring Europe with Eternia while Pete Rock & CL Smooth were performing this album almost in its entirety every night. Hearing “T.R.O.Y.” to close out the show every night was incredible - they are near-flawless performers and it was definitely a career highlight. Props to DJ Filthy Rich for doing this one justice, I hope it doesn’t get taken down. Listen to this mix below…

Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Mecca and the Soul Brother" (6-9-92)

Straight from the jump, Pete Rock & CL Smooth have it goin' on. The two represent Mt. Vernon, a city just north of the Bronx made famous by Pete's cousin Heavy D, and they're quickly approaching the status of becoming the L.A. and Babyface of rap. They've produced or remixed funky gems for the likes of Public Enemy, Heavy D. & The Boyz and even Run-DMC, and the duo released the EP, All Souled Out last year which featured the hits "Mecca And The Soul Brother" and "The Creator." Just recently, they dropped the album Mecca and the Soul Brother, an 18-cut must, filled to the brim with hardcore jams that will have heads noddin' for months to come. From the first single, "T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You)," which is dedicated to the late Trouble T-Roy, to the party movin' "On And On," to the posse cut "The Basement," Pete and CL have succeeded in creating a record that relies on no gimmicks or short word hooks, just straight-up live rhymes, with fat beats and scratches--the true essence of early rap music. CL Smooth shares, "I want people to focus first on the tracks. They will be able to understand the lyrics more down the line as they play it.... Basically, we talk about things that goes on feeling more than just basic fantasy. The beat will draw them into the lyrics because they're entwined. You can't appreciate one without the other." - The Source, 1992. 

Below is the full article and interview from The Source Magazine...

Remembering Troy "Trouble T-Roy" Dixon (30th Anniversary)

On July 15, 1990, Mt. Vernon native Troy "Trouble T-Roy" Dixon was killed by an accidental fall at the age of 22. It was a freak accident while on tour in Indianapolis with his group, Heavy D & The Boyz. The LA Times added, "The group, from Mt. Vernon, N.Y., was on a 10-city tour and was one of the headline acts for Indianapolis’ Black Expo, which also featured the rap group Public Enemy." Heavy D's group, which also included G-Whiz and Eddie F., paid homage to their childhood friend by dedicating their next album, Peaceful Journey, to his memory in 1991, but it was Pete Rock & CL Smooth who immortalized him in 1992 with their tribute record, “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).” Pete Rock talked to Village Voice about the record in '07, saying: "When I found the record by Tom Scott, basically I just heard something incredible that touched me and made me cry. It had such a beautiful bassline, and I started with that first. I found some other sounds and then heard some sax in there and used that. Next thing you know, I have a beautiful beat made. When I mixed the song down, I had Charlie Brown from Leaders of the New School in the session with me, and we all just started crying." Pete also said, "To this day, I can’t believe I made it through, the way I was feeling. I guess it was for my boy." T.R.O.Y. remains one of the greatest hip-hop records of all-time and having toured with Pete Rock & CL Smooth, hearing them perform it live (on several occasions), it's just as moving today as it was the very first time I heard that saxophone. R.I.P., Trouble T-Roy. 

Happy 50th Birthday, Pete Rock! (Playlist)

In the early '90s, most relevant hip hop artists had to use Pete Rock beats. Strapped with his notorious horn loops, Soul Brother No. 1 served up flavorful tracks to everyone from Nas to House of Pain to his partner in rhyme, C.L. Smooth. Pete Rock played a large role in the fusing of jazz and funk music into hip hop, and is easily one of the most influential producers to consistently represent for the underground - for proof, just look at all the classic albums that boast Pete Rock's original production! As Pete Rock is celebrating his 50th Birthday today, it's only right we dig into his classic production for a quick playlist with some of my personal favorites. It would take days to do this properly and unfortunately there are a handful of joints absent from his catalog on Spotify, so I must put an asterisk next to this one, but enjoy it nonetheless! The playlist includes tracks with C.L. Smooth, Smif-N-Wessun, Nas, RUN-DMC, Jamal, Public Enemy, Big L, Rakim, Das EFX, Ghostface Killah, Torae, Non Phixion, Common, House Of Pain, AZ, One Be Lo, Edo. G, Slum Village, Inspectah Deck, INI, Styles P, Jay-Z & Kanye West, and more. Happy Born Day! Click play below...

Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Mecca and the Soul Brother" (6/9/92)

"Our positive must always outweigh our negative, in everything we do, that's our philosophy," declares C.L. Smooth. That is the essence of Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth's first full-length album, Mecca and the Soul Brother -- eighteen songs that offer hope as well as reality, education and entertainment. Mecca is at once streetwise and effortlessly complex, brimming with an intricate, wide-ranging and highly developed musical talent. "The record explains what we're about, what we stand for," says C.L. "We stay hardcore, we stay on the street. We hit it with the basics -- the beats, the rhymes, the scratches." - Press Kit, 1992. Bonz Malone said in Spin Magazine (10/92), "These guys kick schitt that's not only real, but something you can play over and over. This album is a message to tha black man. Cuts like "Straighten It Out" and "Soul Brother #1" undoubtedly show the "Anger in the Nation," whether it'z here or over where you at. By now everybody should have this album -- if not, then get yo ass in tha shop and boost it!" I've said it before - probably a few times - I had the pleasure of doing several shows with them out in Europe in 2010 for a reunion tour where they performed the majority of Mecca and the Soul Brother every night - flawlessly! One of the most important groups of my generation; the soulful combination of Pete Rock & CL Smooth is as timeless as music gets, so celebrate it today as it was released on this day in 1992. Click the archives below for album reviews, anniversary mixes, videos and more about the LP!

Pete Rock & CL Smooth "The Main Ingredient" (25th Ann. Mix)

This month marks the 25th anniversary of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's second (and final) full-length LP, 'The Main Ingredient.' Following in the footsteps of 1992's 'Mecca and the Soul Brother,' the album comprises tracks built from densely layered samples, frequently previously unsampled jazz fusion cuts mixed with crisp drums and short vocal snippets plundered from well-known '80s/'90s hip-hop tracks. Use of a number of go-to tracks defines the sound of the album and the presence of vocal samples from Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane in particular is a key ingredient in the album's sonic palette. In celebration of the album's 25th anniversary, Wax Poetics partnered up once again with WhoSampled to present this mixtape of album tracks, alternate versions, interview snippets, and of course original sample material, mixed by the talented Chris Read. Yessir, check it out below...

DJ 4our 5ive "Pete Rock & CL Smooth: Makings Of You" (Mixtape)

I vaguely remember having the cassette version of DJ 4our 5ive's The Makings of You, which is a tribute to the legendary duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth. The mix tape features classic group cuts, a brief interview with Sway, and some featured production work from Pete Rock with INI, Public Enemy, Grand Puba, Run DMC, Big L, Method Man, Wu-Tang and Prodigy, plus more! I was a fan of DJ 4our 5ive's GZA and 2Pac mix tapes and I believe I've posted up his Nas and Biggie tapes, too.

Run DMC "Down With The King" (Reissue, 2018)

Officially licensed reissue of the 1993 Pete Rock produced Golden Era classic featuring guest rhymes from Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Original Artwork by Ricky Also, who shares, "I love record sleeves that have a bit of a story behind them, I used to spend hours checking out every detail on every vinyl I brought, and you could always tell which covers were created with love, they would have that extra level of detail and story behind them. Down with the King is such a dope release, it still sounds as fresh as it did when it was first came out in the early 90’s. I wanted to create a cover design that looked as fresh as the record sounds, but also had that nod back to its past and the original sleeve design. The original sleeve shows Run, JMJ & DMC sat on a fenced wall in front of a graveyard and church. After a fair amount of research, a few educated guesses and a lot of routing through street view maps I found the same church on Jamaica Ave, Hollis, Queens NY. I was then able to create a broader view of the scene and show JMJ floating above the graveyard and Run and DMC still in the same position on the fence. It felt like a nice story to be able to tell, it reflects the history and roots of the group and almost gives the song a new perspective now that the legend Jam Master Jay is no longer with us." Revisit this classic track and instrumental below...

Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Mecca & The Soul Brother" (25th Ann. Mix)

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pete Rock & CL Smooth's classic 1992 LP 'Mecca & The Soul Brother', the talented homie Chris Read created yet another fine mix of album tracks, alternative versions, remixes, and original sample material to pay homage to a true classic! One of the greatest albums of all-time from top to bottom, dig into this mix below. Props to Chris Read & Wax Poetics.

Sprite Advertisements (Videos)

Most of us remember back when Sprite was airing commercials with our legends, but do you also remember the Sprite Series' vinyl releases too? There were about 2 dozen of them, released in clear plastic sleeves & translucent Sprite-green vinyl. I had a whole stack of them. Steve Stoute calls it the 'Tanning of America,' explaining hip-hop's marketing ability in mainstream media, and to white America. Truth is, it's been happening for decades, and even our favorite artists secured the bag from various brands. Lugz, Sprite, St. Ides, Pepsi, Reebok, the list goes on. In the case of Sprite, they chose dope artists and they did it with originality and creativity; most seen in bringing KRS & MC Shan together for a mock battle - who could argue that wasn't timeless? A few years back, they licensed lyrics on the cans, which caught my attention. Below are 3 of my favorite Sprite commercials: Nas & AZ, KRS & MC Shan, and Pete Rock & CL Smooth - heavy on the nostalgia!

Donnie Propa "Straight From The Crate Cave" (Pete Rock Edition)

UK DJ, Donnie Propa, has teamed up with Village Live to present 'Straight From the Crate Cave: Pete Rock Edition.' This marks the first in the new mix series - Straight From The Crate Cave - but if you dig into the archives, there are also fresh mixes covering Masta Ace & J Dilla. The legendary Pete Rock has an extensive catalog to choose from, but the mix manages to run through a nice selection of album cuts, classics, and remixes. The mix was entirely done from vinyl - which I respect - and aside from being released digitally, there are also some limited-edition cassettes available (at the time of this post). You can listen to the mix below. Cop the cassette and show your support!

Pete Rock & CL Smooth "All Souled Out" 25th Anniversary Mix

“This week marks the 25th Anniversary of the release of Pete Rock & CL Smooth‘s classic debut EP ‘All Souled Out’, the 6 track Extended Player that placed one of hip hop’s best loved Producer / MC duos on the map and set the stage for two of the most revered albums of the early 90s, 1992’s ‘Mecca and the Soul Brother’ and 1994’s ‘The Main Ingredient’. In celebration we’ve teamed up with Wax Poetics to present this exclusive mixtape featuring tracks from the EP, alternate versions, interview snippets and of course original sample material used to create this timeless classic."

Pete Rock & CL Smooth "I Got A Love" (The Source, 10/94)

"Back in 1991, Pete Rock & CL Smooth raised the hip-hop stakes with their first LP Mecca and The Soul Brother. Gone were the days where you could slide by with a simple drum loop and a James Brown shriek. Pete and CL were comin' with the bumpin' new slick sh!t. Their super-thick production and smooth Mount Vernon flow showed us everything our Bose speakers and Blaupunkt car stereos were capable of ... Three years later, with the overabundance of Pete Rock rip-offs, it's time for this duo to take back the corner. With their new single, "I Got A Love," the PR & CL chemistry mixes up an easy-going track that ignores all gangster gimmicks and hardcore tricks." Article cont'd below...

"Pete lays a low-key "I Dream of Jeanie" xylophone hook over bangin' drums and guitar lines. And all the while, CL Smooth drops the slick Casanova rhymes, like a "Lots of Loving Part II." Both versions of the song are sure to soothe and at the same time rock the party ... Once again, Pete Rock and CL Smooth are coming with the much-needed relief from hip-hop's grim reality. And with tracks like "I Gotta Love" and others from the upcoming album, The Main Ingredient, it's plain to see that the Chocolate Boy Wonder and the Caramel King are here to please." - The Source (Oct. 1994).

Pete Rock & CL Smooth "The Main Ingredient" (The Source, 1995)

"After Mr. Magic's bitter departure from New York's WBLS-FM (early winter 1984), Marley Marl hosted "In Control," a weekend radio show that introduced listeners to a young man by the name of Pete Rock. A.K.A. "The Chocolate Boy Wonder," Pete was put in the role of wax-spinner by his cousin Heavy D. In 1991, he got his partner CL Smooth and dropped the underground EP All Souled Out, paving the way for their critically-acclaimed landmark Mecca And The Soul Brother. What's most surprising about The Main Ingredient is that Pete leaps into supervising the sound quality and overseeing the technical and engineering aspects - something most East Coast hip-hop producers overlook. By refusing to focus mainly on beats, he insures that the album's sounds are crystal-clear. In addition, CL incorporates melodic edges into his delivery." Revisit another classic album below...

"Not one to miss out, Pete also does his thing, filling choruses with soul-styled crooning ("Hey, hey, hey, hey") and throwing venomous disses to the competition ("Escape"). Blaxploitation intros underline the album's themes, and funky musical interludes (spotlighting secret beats) make sure that heads continue nodding. With other strong songs like "Physical" (a lyrical slugfest), "The Sun Won't Come Out," Pete's posse cut "In The Flesh" and "I Got a Love" (the album's first single), The Main Ingredient is worth its weight in gold. It wouldn't hurt to "Check It Out" as The Main Ingredient serves up some of the best that hip-hop has to offer." - The Source, 1/95 (Updated).

The Combat Jack Show "Pete Rock Episode"

"From Run-DMC to Kanye West, Soul Brother No. 1 been the go to guy to to make classic material. On top of that, how many countless producers he inspired, from legends like J Dilla and Kanye West to innovators like Madlib? #NeverForget the rap giants he helped birth, like NaS, and the Notorious B.I.G. Pete talks being raised by mentor/family member, the late, great Heavy D, and being encouraged to rap by Grand Puba, the true soul that went into producing "They Reminisce Over You", and the uncredited classic hits you know but didn't know was a Pete Rock production. Another session of Rap History is in effect, pull up a seat and learn about your culture." Listen to it below...

Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Samples & Soulstrumentals" (Mix)

"In dropping arguably two of the best back-to-back albums in rap music history, Pete Rock & CL Smooth must undeniably be considered one of hip-hop's finest duos. The combination of Pete Rock's signature soulful production served-up from behind the boards and CL's conscious lyrics delivered from the booth, has enabled the tag-team from Mount Vernon to place itself as top-tier contributors to rap's legacy. With today marking the anniversary of Pete and CL's monumental debut album, Mecca and The Soul Brother, we figured it was only right to dedicate the latest edition of The Tens in their honor. In searching for the best way to pay our respects to MSB, it didn’t feel right simply whipping up a basic "Best Of" mix. Too generic. So, in true UNT fashion we flipped the script and took a more creative approach. It’s common knowledge that Pete Rock “made every single beat on that album” using the E-mu SP-1200... thus our decision to concentrate on MSB’s beat construction, which undoubtedly single-handedly changed the standards of hip-hop production. From the chopped samples of those famous horns, the heavy filtered bass lines, the signature hi-hats, there’s no question that Mecca & The Soul Brother was a game-changer...." Presented in 2012 by UpNorthTrips for the LP's 20th anniversary - dug up and (re)posting it today.

Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Mecca & The Soul Brother" (The Source)

"The album begins with an explanation of the 'Mecca' as a way of life, not a place or a state of mind. Now I'm not one to be breaking down the mathematics of the title, but I can tell you that this album is mega-fat! In the wake of his cameo on PE's "Shut 'Em Down" remix, Producer/DJ Pete Rock continues to establish himself as an MC. Whether he's sittin' "Skins" with Grand Puba, loungin' in the "Basement" with posse members Heavy D, Grap Luva and Rob-O Dingo or on the solo tip as "Soul Brother #1," Pete's catching wreck on the mic in '92. CL Smooth comes correct with inspired lyrical performances on cuts like "Straighten It Out," "Can't Front On Me," "On and On" and the moving ode to the late Trouble T-Roy (of Heavy D & The Boyz) - "They Reminisce Over You." Revisit it below...

"There's a flavor R&B joint called "Lots of Lovin'" that could really blow them up on radio. But with 18 cuts, almost all of which are close to five minutes, the album is a little long. CL has moments, but he lost me towards the end of a few cuts. Musically, there's never a full moment. The scratches blend in so smoothly that sometimes you don't notice them. Soulful horn loops are fast becoming Pete's trademark. The album is filled with unused samples. Kids looking for a true balance of fat new beats and solid rhymes should definitely make a pilgrimage to Mecca." - The Source, May 1992.

The Source "The Best Hip-Hop Singles of 1992"

I miss the days of opening up The Source and seeing their Fat Tapes & choosing the hottest singles out each month. In this case, The Source was choosing the top singles of 1992. To humor myself, I've decided to choose one song from each row and then each column, too. In retrospect, we'll see which tracks are my favorites from the year and try to get it down to one final song... I think. 

Row 1: Deep Cover | Row 2: T.R.O.Y. | Row 3: Dwyck

Column 1: Scenario | Column 2: Dwyck | Column 3: T.R.O.Y.

Column 4: Fakin' The Funk (Remix) | Column 5: Uptown Anthem | Column 6: So What'Cha Want?

Of all the rows and columns, my favorite track in this whole year is ... *drum rolls* ... I'm going with Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "They Reminisce Over You." Such a classic cut; from the "Today" by Tom Scott & The California Dreams sample to the lyrics immortalizing their friend's passing ... it's just such an incredible record. In all honesty, hearing Pete Rock & CL Smooth perform "T.R.O.Y." live is one of the single greatest moments I've had at a live show ... and I've been to hundreds of shows over the years. I heard them rock it on 3 separate nights on tour with them in Europe; I left the merch table unattended to watch them each night! Thankful to see a crowd respond to such an incredible record. It was a vibe and they tapped into the energy of the crowd every night. Greatest song of '92, in my eyes. What about you? Best song of the year, each column, each row, whatever you wanna share - you can comment below or DM me or e-mail me, whatever is easier.