hstisgod's Full Review: Sharkey's Machine [PA] by Sharkey
From warm up to finish, this album is the definition of sound. Think of the intro track, aptly titled Warm Up, as the skeleton key to the album. Samplings of massive genre, and a ganked Gattica movie clip run the entire track to an oblivion. This may just be the beginning of what turns into a positive plunge into the sea of "Sharkey's Machine".
Track two "Fuzz" fronts up with a deep beat, and a catchy chorus. Intro the Hip Hop verse that comes through clear and with a direction. But stop right there with your stereotyping, just as the song heads into the beat laden world of Hip Hop it becomes soaked in dark acoustic bridges, and a plethora of unsynchronized beat droppings. We'll stay in sequence, and dive into the groovy, funky feel of "Phone Sex". More than just an exhibition of sexual energy, this track encompasses the best of Soul Coughing, Parliament Funkadelic, and The Neptunes.
Inside the liner notes, youll find the story of Sharkey and his gratefulness to be the scratching guru accompanied by guest stars such as Cannibal OX, Pharcyde, Billy Moon and Grand Puba of Brand Nubian. Ive been in the game; recording, shopping and doing shows for a minute. A lot of that time creating songs for the majors or commercials. Always having to work within some sort of creative boundaries. So when I began working on this project, I sat down with the label and came up with a few people I really wanted to work with. This record was truly a creative dream for me to make.
Innovative splicing of records, soundboards and singers, Sharkeys Machine is a wild journey through the eyes of a talented master of ceremonies. Hailing from the D.C. area this politician like gatherer of musicians gave his respect to the city that never sleeps. Track six, featuring Jean GraeSummer In The City (Lovin It) is a call out to the Five Boroughs of NYC, and has a playful upbeat atmosphere reminiscent to me of the late 90s when artists like The Wiseguys, and Freestylers ruled such a genre.
Tracks like ten Here we are, show the clashing of Soul, Hip Hop, Trance, Acoustic Rock and Pop Contemporary. Jazzy, funky mixes of catchy rhythms and rhymes blended from the viewpoint of a diversely influenced human being. Like remixing the U.N.K.L.E. project only a bit more upbeat, and fewer tendencies to run deep into patchy trances. While easily stereotyped a Dance, Trip Hop and a Turntables record, this album will surely appeal to anyone 35 and under. If you have a hankering for a twisted scratch effort, high-end lyrical contributions and occasional memorable instrumentals, then Sharkey's Machine is just right for you.
--P.S., do yourself a favor and wait around for the best track on the disc, far fetched from the end of Something Got To Give sits the most mind numbing, and relaxing Trip/Hop Trance track of this year. (2004).
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.