Thursday, June 4, 2009
Cream Calendar / Reviews Fresh Tracks, Review: DJ Kidsmeal's Secret Recipe
Posted by Sean Maloney on Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 4:35 PM
I was honestly expecting more turntablism, more crazy-technical displays of straight skill. Face it, the kid can cut like nobody's business, and he's got a crab scratch that's tighter than Glenn Beck's asshole. He could coast on expert dexterity and the fact that his dad played in Babe Ruth and I'd probably still be into it, but Kidsmeal's fleet fingers never overshadow the songs. Secret Recipe is crammed full of compelling horn stabs and big boom-bap breaks; psychedlic-pop frolicks at its fringe, and electro ear candy speeds through the Autobahn at the heart of the album. Grooves are at the forefront of each track, and atmospheric flourishes never overpower the central melodies, creating an engaging sound collage that is surprisingly musical.
OK, it's not really a surprise. If you've seen Kidsmeal perform you know he has a keen ear for the party rockers, and if you've got a keen ear then you'll probably notice that tracks like "She's an Artist"--with it's sinewy bass lines and sparse, reverberating snare--have been part of Kid's live arsenal for some time. There's only one MC on the entire record, and that's my main man Maurice (better known as 247), and he doesn't even show up until "Cell," the 21st of 22 songs--more hip-hop records should follow this format. If DJs are curators of sound, then this, my friends, is one first-class mothafuckin' Guggenhiem-type exhibition shit right here.
Rating:
(9/10)
The Secret Recipe release show is this Friday at The End. Kidsmeal is joined by The Billy Goats, Orig, Wick-It and Big Fella. $5 for the brosephs and the ladies get in free. Starts at 9 p.m.
Comments (6)
Showing 1-6 of 6
like
dislike
It woulda been ten, but I'm a seriously impatient motherfucker. It probably coulda come out sooner. Just sayin'.
Splitting hairs, yes, but that's my gig.
I bet he's spinning the fuck outta the new Dilla that dropped tuesday. I can't get enough of it.
can't wait to get my own copy. shit, can't wait to hear it live tonight. big up jesse!
Vote here for best Band of the Week
Slideshows
Top Commenters
