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 |