By now, most heads will know that Pete Rock dropped his first album in four years last week. If you haven't bought it yet, don't sleep. If there was any doubt that Pete Rock is the greatest beatsmith of all time, NY's Finest reminds us all why pretty much every producer who's anyone will shout out to him every chance they get.NY's Finest is full of beats that had me breaking my neck like I did back when I heard Petestrumentals for the first time. You thought Large Pro's Mad Scientist had sucked all the life out of the "Sandworms" bassline? Think again. Listen to The PJs and hear a master take an already great break and make it straight up butter on toast. Pete's signature sound is dripping all over every track, from the filter flares and horns through to the boom-bap kicks and snares that we all know and love (and envy :)).
Erykah Badu also dropped a new record last week for the first time in years - New Amerykah. I'll be the first to admit it ain't no Baduizm or Mama's Gun, but there is some meat in there if you're willing to look. Personal faves are "Telephone" and "That Hump" where the liquid rhodes textures and wind instruments coupled with Erykah's voice that made the earlier albums so unbelievable are back and still ringing true.
