All Souled Out

“All Souled Out” marked the arrival on wax of one of Hip-Hop’s greatest duos: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. Pete Rock had already established himself on the New York rap scene, working with Marley Marl on his popular Hip-Hop radio show and having a guest production spot on Main Source’s pioneering album “Breaking Atoms”. Indeed, All Souled Out has much in common with Main Source’s groundbreaking debut. All of the tracks (the two exceptions being “Go With the Flow” and “The Creator”) are collages of colourful soul samples, skilfully blended together. Of course the beats are tough, but never overpowering, always present in the background providing head nodding structure to the busy sampling. At the forefront of the hooks is bright scratching which is sorely missing from future albums. From the off it is clear Pete Rock is of the same calibre as other Hip-Hop producers of the time who were taking Hip-Hop in new directions with their adventurous and inventive sampling: DJ Premier, Large Professor, Prince Paul.

C.L. Smooth is unfairly overshadowed because of his deceptively smooth delivery and Pete Rock’s riveting production. However his unstoppable flow and sharp rhymes are allowed to flourish on “Go With the Flow”. “I design a logical line, the mastermind, so recline and listen to what’s mine.” “This all done with ease, past emcees, and all they feel is a breeze.” Sure these might not amaze on paper but when C.L. is flowing over Pete Rock’s carefully crafted drum loops with his buttery smooth voice it doesn’t really matter. C.L. doesn’t really tackle any topics on All Souled Out, other than family matters on “The Good Life” (a lyrical precursor to T.R.O.Y.). Pete Rock himself gets on the mic on “The Creator” and does a good job spitting some great rhymes written by his cousin, Heavy D.

“All Souled Out” is in my opinion the duo’s most satisfying effort, but that being said, it is only a 6 track EP. Pete Rock’s samples are diverse and always work well together (unlike some of “Mecca and the Soul Brother”) and C.L. Smooth’s witty lines and laid back, smooth flow complement the tracks perfectly. An extremely enjoyable listen and an album every Hip-Hop fan should hear and love.