Hydroponic Sound System "grids/loops/intersections" Alternate Take Records
Hydroponic Sound System is a collective of musicians from Dallas, although the primary producers in the group are Skinny Fresh and Rube. I'm finally getting around to reviewing this album formally, although I've had it for a while. The instrumental tracks on this album are funky as all hell and very danceable. In general, the production is characterized by funky basslines, horn stabs, and soulful keys and guitars. However, the group clearly shows that they can cover multiple styles ranging from funk to acid jazz to hardcore underground hip-hop. The group currently has a couple of 12" eps out as well, and they would be useful in any DJ's arsenal.
The MCs featured here are all up and coming, with several hailing from Texas. Bavu Blakes (Austin/Dallas) has an album out (review coming soon!), Headkrack (Dallas) has released some stuff with local artists K-Otix (Houston), and Azeem (SF) has released on Bomb Hip-Hop and was part of Spearhead with Michael Franti. The MCs have been selected well, each with their own unique style that blends well with the beats they are rhyming over. For example, on _Hydro Soundclash_, Grand Supreem supplies the ragga vocal stylings in the chorus, and Benisanna's vocals bounce up and down in synchrony with the opening beat of _Open Mic @ The Soular Roller Rink_.
|-- | 1. (0:16) | _End of the Beginning_ – short intro|
|//- | 2. (3:22) | _Play the Role [Bzzz Mix]_ feat. Bavu Blakes – Calls out all the fakers.|
|/+ | 3. (1:17) | _Bavu Speaks On Cameroon_ – intro speech over a funky break|
|//+ | 4. (4:30) | _Hydro Soundclash_ feat. Chucky Sly & Grand Supreem – uptempo, dubby beat|
|//- | 5. (4:11) | _Static_ feat. Headkrack and Azeem – dark, evil beat; aggressive battle rhymes|
|//- | 6. (2:40) | _This Just In_ feat. Bavu Blakes – syncopated drum pattern, fast|
|// | 7. (4:05) | _Funky Disco Go Fed_ – disco funky!|
|//- | 8. (3:49) | _Open Mic @ The Soular Roller Rink_ feat. Benisanna – fresh rhymes for the first 2 minutes, then flips through a couple of hella funky breaks|
|//- | 9. (3:29) | _Lost and Found_ feat. Bavu Blakes – buzzing bass line, beatbox-esque.|
|// | 10. (5:04) | _Disconnected_ – slow underwater vibe; nice keys|
|//- | 11. (5:36) | _Delirium_ feat. Bavu Blakes – 70’s soundtrack feel, until the last minute.|
|// | 12. (4:00) | _Live from the Barbershop_ feat. The Burn Unit (MYK, Slickmouth, Cold Cris, and Headkrack) – battle rhymes over a body rocker, some nice scratches in the chorus|
|// | 13. (4:30) | _Shu Bop Shu Bop_ – straight up funk with horns and scratches|
|//+ | 14. (4:46) | _Lagos, Michigan ('72)_ – channeling the soul of James Brown|
|//+ | 15. (3:19) | _Family Man_ feat. Azeem – slower beat. intricate flow describing Azeem’s relationship with hip-hop|
|//- | 16. (8:52) | _Unification Sounds_ – downtempo, ethereal acid jazz vibe (4 minutes) followed by various beat snippets and samples (2:30) followed by more acid jazz|
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