Pete Rock and CL Smooth are another one of those classic hip-hop duos who come along every once and a while and drop some classics, but are rarely found nowadays. In 1991, Pete Rock and CL Smooth exploded onto the rap world with their debut EP, entitled All Souled Out. For those hip-hop fans who managed to get a listen to this album, they heard an amazing producer and lyricist flex their muscles for the first time and enjoyed the classic "Good Life" track. Due to popular demand, they finally released a full length LP in 1992; the classic Mecca and the Soul Brother. Pete Rock's atmospheric production over CL Smooth's classy lyricism all fine tuned together to create this album.



Track List & Rating

1. Return of the Mecca (5 Stars)
2. For Pete’s Sake (5 Stars)
3. Ghetto’s of the Mind (5 Stars)
4. Lot’s of Lovin' (5 Stars)
5. Act Like You Know (5 Stars)
6. Straighten It Out (5 Stars)
7. #1 Soul Brother (5 Stars)
8. Wig Out (4 Stars)
9. Anger in the Nation (5 Stars)
10. They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y) (5 Stars)
11. On and On (5 Stars)
12. It's Like That (4 Stars)
13. Can’t Front on Me (4 1/2 Stars)
14. The Basement f/ Heavy D, Rob-O, Dida, & Grap Lover (4 1/2 Stars)
15. Skinz f/ Grand Puba (5 Stars)




Mecca and the Soul Brother kicks off with "Return of the Mecca". Followed by a deep and honest opening, we get into one of Pete Rock's finer achievement beat-wise. The old school hard-hitting claps, keyboard jazz sample loops, kicking bass, and some soothing saxophone, we get an immediate, sort of Harlem-sounding head-bobbing beat, only made better by CL Smooth's lyrics. As the name implies, CL is extremely "smooth" on this track, with an on-point flow, excellent vocabulary choice, and some hard hitting braggadiocio lyricism, spitting hot lines like: "Talkin' about the theoretical, isometrical, Alphabetical, rebel, a dissect-the-devil, Unveil a tale in detail, the third rail, Read it in braille, a bigger male leave a trail, Now I sink you to the link, that'll make you think, You's too large to shrink, I need a drink". Simply Awesome...

"For Pete's Sake" is next and it follows the same idea, only with a much different sounding beat. Pete Rock delivers a soothing, keyboard and piano laced, sample-inducing track which immediately brings back memories of the sound he gave us on Illmatic. Expect the same classy, unique sound that only Pete Rock can deliver, making him one of the all-time greatest producers. When it comes to the lyrics, CL Smooth does not dissapoint with his old-school braggadiocio, keeping on-beat throughout the track. The one word that i like to use in describing this album would have to be.... umm..... head-bobbing. If not, then i choose awe-inspiring, and this is ONLY the beginning.

Mecca and the Soul Brother takes an introspective twist with "Ghetto of the Mind".

CL Smooth drops lyrics of the social conscious and introspective type. Even though in this day of hip-hop, it was common for artists to rap about this sort of subject matter, its still interesting how CL Smooth delivers it to us, backed by superb Pete Rock production. CL Smooth takes us on a mental trip deep into the inner city, describing its poverty infested nature and violent state which never seems to heal, and most likely never will. His descriptiveness is shown on lines like: "Livin' ain't cheap, my survival is deep, In this part of town where the city never sleep, A Barney Miller roller, you can bet the car's stolen, Or static with your BM, only when you see them, Speakin' on your baby's mom, a best for the drama, Always tryin' to make a movie, little stark-ravin' looney, Stressin' it, but you know the ghetto keep ya busy, A place that when I die it would never even miss me, Crack phials in the aisles as one pimp smiles, Dope piles workin' hookers by the miles". Pete Rock's beat is nothing short of stellar, with a suitably dark beat with some unique synthesized chimes and echoing drums and bass, which provide excellent atmosphere for CL Smooth's rhymes.

Up next is the obligatory lead single "Lots of Lovin". Pete Rock and CL Smooth give us an old school love style song, but refrain from coming close to anything even remarkably related to selling-out. The beat, though appealing for a large majority of fans, is strickly simplistic and underground, and perfectly orchestrated. CL Smooth's lyrics are deep and thoughtful, crafting dope line after dope line. This is without a doubt, a great listen and a favorite of one Thomas Diggs (no, thats not me).

"Act Like You Know" kicks it up with Pete Rock's speedy, saxophone-laced beat and CL Smooth's awesome braggadiocio. Nothing much to say here except that this is yet another head-bobbing track, sped up from what we've heard thusfar. Dont even think about skipping this one.

Im sure most hip-hop heads out there have heard, or heard of, the second, and most popular, single from this album, the aptly titled "Straighten it Out".

Pete Rock's jazzy beat is a perfect complimentary beat for CL Smooth's 80's-esque braggadiocio. Pete Rock's beat is a funkish, laid back sort of jamming track with perfect chimes, crazy trumpets, drums, thumping bass, and some samples for the chorus. CL Smooth's delivery is a bit different on here, as he changes his voice throughout the song more than once, raising and lowering his pitches, but always matching the beat perfectly. His flow is quick and witty, and he never misses a syllable. CL Smooth is definetely an underrated artist, and he proves his worth not only on this song, but on this entire album.

"Soul Brother #1" is a Pete Rock-solo track with a very unique sound. The beat is a long scratching sort of nail-on-a-chalkboard synthesized beat reminiscent of the backdrop of the Wu-Tang Clan's classic "Protect Ya Neck". Pete Rock showcases his mic ability, dropping some ill similes like "I hit harder than a kick, quick to scoop a chick, When it comes to skinz, Pete Rock got it thick, I'm not your average, everyday, one-two to the beat, and don't stop, bust the sh*t I drop, New style for the 90's Pete Rock's a trendsetter, I'd just be lyin if I said there's someone better, You can ask Greta, Greta with the red Jetta, Honey did me lovely and I'm glad that I met her". Dont hesitate to push repeat on this track because its nothing less than dope.

Pete Rock and CL Smooth switch to a very political, sort of Public Enemy vibe on "Anger in the Nation".

CL Smooth's flow changes up to be more aggressive on this track, but its only fitting due to its relative and positive subject matter, touching on the racism that this country is plagued with. CL Smooth's words speak nothing but power as he seemingly drills the track with a variety of witty and clever, yet intelligent and thought-provoking narrations about the unfairness and color barriers surrounding this entire country and how many of the greedy, white-governed factions of the planet have held them down. Of course, a dope CL Smooth flow is only strengthened by a strong Pete Rock beat, and he delivers here. With a medley of samples and scratches for the chorus, Pete Rock laces a high-key synthesized xylophone beat with a drum / snare mix, providing a perfect backdrop. Although Pete Rock's instrumental is a classic in its own, CL Smooth's lyrics are what make this track an absolute classic: "The Tuskegee Experiment, indeed it was big, when they used the black man as a guinea pig, Animalism, pumped on a lower level, But can only be the works of the devil, And I'm telling you now the frustration, The future's facing from the anger in the nation". Definetely awe-inspiring stuff.

Arguably the most famous track from Mecca and the Soul Brother has to be the absolute classic "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).

This track is an undisputed classic by Pete Rock and CL Smooth. This is a tribute to their deceased good friend Trouble T. Roy, and its definetely heartfelt. However, instead of mourning his death, CL Smooth and Pete Rock do something much more fitting, and celebrate his life. CL's lyrics are emotional as he narrates the life of T. Roy from his birth, all the way to the good times that they had together. CL turns spiritual, and his lyrics are well-written and definetely worthy of the tribute. On the other side of the table, Pete Rock drops an absolutely ill beat, with an insane saxophone medley, saddening background vocals, and a crazy drum and snare loop giving us a tight atmospheric feel to the track. The message is clear and delivered masterfully by these two artists, and this song is a great reason, among many, to purchase this album.

"On and On" begins with a short freestyle by T. Roy, and goes into the actual song. This track is basically a spiritual sort of awakening from CL Smooth as he faces the grim reality of life, mixing it together with blindingly good braggadiocio. Pete Rock's fast-paced head knodding beat is perfect fodder for CL Smooth's top-notch intellectual and well-written consciousness.

"It’s Like That" and "Can’t Front on Me" are dope showcases of lyricism and production from CL Smooth and Pete Rock. CL Smooth shows his wit and cleverness, showcasing his similes and metaphors on this track, and Pete Rock gets versatile, adding new elements into his beats besides the usual jazz samples. The second of the two tracks has sort of a heavy vibe going. Im not exactly sure what it is, but i know it is definetely not jazz.

Pete Rock and CL Smooth give us "The Basement", which is basically a crew joint featuring the likes of Heavy D, Rob-O, Grap Lover and Dida. This assortment of old-school emcees drop an ill joint together over masterful Pete Rock Production. Each rapper gives us dope lyrics, but in my personal opinion, CL Smooth outshines then, dropping hot lines like: "From the Heights, not what am I write, simple I can do this, Like Popeye to Brutus, I'm your host like a stewardess, Fly with the neighborhood hi-jackin fella, So prepare for landing, and crash into a cellar, Bodies in the buddha cloud, misty in the tune, Like a show all nights, a figure eight in a lagoon, With Pete Rock, the complete lock and beat stop, Now all the horny heffers wanna dangle on my *errr!*".

Grand Puba joins Pete Rock and CL Smooth on the final track "Skinz".

For those of you who have never heard Grand Puba rap, you are in for a treat. His eclectic and rapid fire rap style is showcased on this track beside CL Smooth's frankly "smooth" rap flow and Pete Rock vocal addition, as he also drops a verse. The beat is a nice saxophone looped track, with some sombre bass and dark, low-key drums, and claps. All three rappers give us a nice display of skills on this track in a very fitting close to Mecca and the Soul Brother.

Pete Rock and CL Smooth give us an extremely underrated and forgotten, yet classic album in Mecca and the Soul Brother. Pete Rock's production pushes this album on a dope way, with his use of clever sampling, tight saxophone and jazz elements, scratching, and bass to create lush and vibrant soundscapes for CL Smooth, and at times Pete himself, to drop tight flows with varied subject matter. This is one of those rarities where both the lyricism and the production take a stand, riding head-to-head and crafting a masterful album. Basically, ill end this review with this: you would be an idiot to pass this up.

5 Stars

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Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep