Marley Marl disciple Pete Rock is rightly hailed as one of the greatest producers around. Jazzy and soulful, his productions are some of the smoothest, funkiest, most innovative, and listenable on record. Though he’s produced a crate-full of hits, it’s his work with front man C.L. Smooth that’s most fondly remembered, and The Main Ingredient–the duo’s second album, after Mecca and the Soul Brother–lives up to the hype. Smooth’s proficiency on the mic doesn’t match his partner’ [Read More...]
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Back when MC’s actually sat down and wrote intricate intelligent lyrics, there was a rapper name CL Smooth who was as respected as they came. Teamed with the super producer Pete Rock, the duo would combine for two all-time classics; Mecca & The Soul Brother and the Main Ingredient. Both offerings are equally timeless pieces of art. However, the second can be considered the more focused and polished work of the two. Going into this album Pete Rock made a name for himself as a producer who was adept in looping horn riffs into melodic and jazzy rhythms. Rather than following his own blueprint, he advanced his style on the Main Ingredient, creating a more ambitious and soulful album. He brings his A-game, because in the early 90’s the rap game was generated by A-list producers and MC’s. The standout production includes I Get Physical with its gentle guitar riff; I Got a Love with its driving energetic hook; All the Places with its soulful jazzy light cadence; I’ll Take You There with its head bopping yet easeful kick; and the title cut which is laced with the aforementioned signature horn riffs. While Pete Rock provides the engine for this ship, CL Smooth directs the navigation with his well thought lyrics that compliment each track like french fries to a burger. There are no ignorant misogynistic references, or useless repetitious usage of the N-word. This is pure hip-hop when hip-hop seemed to matter as a true art form. This album represents a time when MCs maintained their respective pace and competition through the use of intelligence as opposed to lazy ignorance.
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s second album “The Main Ingredient” (1994) is an underated slept on gem. Pete Rock’s amazing production matched with C.L.’s addictive and intelligent rhyming make an album to remember. Beats are excellent from start to finish on this sixteen track release, cd has great replay value and music sounds ahead of its time which it was. My favourite track is “It’s On You” love the verses, beat and background chorus on this one. Love the way “I Get Physical” flows and the outstanding guitar & piano backed “All The Places” has C.L. talking about where he has been- a very memorable track. Relaxed tracks like “Carmel City” , “Searching” and lead single “Take You There” create a feel good album. Music on this is substantial and relaxed at the same time. Every track on this is nice to me, and “The Main Ingredient” flows concurrently throughout with the end result being a highly enjoyable and memorable album which I would recommend for any Hip Hop collection.