Customer Reviews

Lost & Found Hip Hop Underground Soul Classics

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are few producers who can claim to be in the same league as legendary super producer Pete Rock. As one half of Pete Rock & CL Smooth, the Soul Brother held down all of the production on two quintessential hip hop albums, and as a solo artist he is responsible for the incredibly underrated "Soul Survivor" LP, and the instrumental masterpiece "PeteStrumentals." He also perfected the art of the soulful hip hop remix. Having worked with nearly every emcee worthy of his notoriety, it is ironic that he would bless two virtually unknown hip hop acts, the group of INI and an artist named Deda, with his most consistent collection of soundscapes. Perhaps, like DJ Premier with the Group Home and the Neptunes with the Clipse, Pete Rock knew that understated yet skilled acts would provide him with the best opportunity to shine behind the boards. And indeed it is hard not to notice Pete Rock's subtle yet soulful perfection. The mood of every song is perfectly matched by Rock's production, so that if there is any flaw in the production over the course of the two albums it is that there are no lows low enough to provide a proper juxtaposition to contrast the stellar songs.

That said, both cds are also remarkably well-rounded lyrically and topically, leaving the listener wondering how these albums could have been shelved until now. And perhaps the greatest gift "Lost And Found" provides us with, is that listening to it is like opening up a time capsule to a period when hip hop was soulful and meaningful. The curse of this release is that it reminds today's hip hop listener that even the Madlibs, Jay-Dees, and Kanye Wests can't duplicate the mastery of the Soul Brother.

Let's get one thing to get straight off the top. The Lost and Found packaged is actually two albums marketed as one (much like the recent OutKast "album"). Both of these albums are entirely produced by Pete Rock, one of the greatest producers of all time (only challenged by DJ Premier and Dr. Dre). That being said you should have high expectations for the production. Both albums live up to these expectations and are flawless in production; it would take your little brother going through puberty to screw this up (voice cracking and all).

Disc 1 is the InI's "Center of Attention". It is an incredible album, completely on the same wave as "Mecca and the Soul Brother". The beats are so smooth and jazzy with tons of musical layers, that it really might be Pete Rock's best overall album from a production stand point. Now the trouble with almost any Pete Rock track is finding talent that can even match the caliber of his beats. Before this hearing "Center of Attention" I though no one could even compete C.L. Smooth, but Grap Luva and Rob-O will certainly change more than a few peoples minds. Their smooth flows fit perfectly with Rock's beats, never taking away from them and only adding to its depth. The beats are so much of a showcase the rhymes literally seems like they are a part of the production itself, serving as another instrument of Pete Rock's creation. What you have is a superior album that simply perfect. The two MC's will never make anyone's top 500 list, however the way the album works they somehow achieve perfection, if even for a brief moment in time. This would be considered a classic if it had it's proper release (almost 10 years ago!!!). "Center of Attention" and so many other forgotten classics (Main Source's "Breaking Atoms") slip through the cracks, and it's a shame simply because the avid hip-hop fan misses out on some of the genre's finest. The InI's Center of Attention gets a perfect score easily from me.

Note the track listings on Amazon are wrong. There are actually 16 songs on "Center of Attention":

1. Intro
2. No More Words
3. Step Up
4. Think Twice
5. Square One
6. The Life I Live
7. KrossRoads
8. To Each His Own feat. Q-Tip & Large Prof.
9. Fakin' Jax
10. What You Say
11. Props
12. Center Of Attention
13. Grown Man Sport
14. Mind Over Matter
15. Don't You Love It
16. Microphone Wonderlust


Now the other album in the Lost and Found packaged is "The Original Baby Pa" by Deda. As I said for both albums the production is flawless, however I'd be lying if I told you that this album was decent. Deda might be one of the worst MC's I have heard on the mic. He has a low gruff voice & a horrible flow, not to mention wack rhymes, making every aspect of verses painful to listen to. He becomes so bad & distracting it actually takes away from the listener enjoying the amazing production by Pete Rock. I understand that most reviewers who love Pete Rock (such as myself) will try to overlook this album and pretend like it's ok, in fear of deterring people from picking up a "Center of Attention"... but I just can't lie, "Original Baby Pa" is horrid. There really was a good reason why this never supposed to come out - It really is awful. Do yourself a favor a skip it completely, because it's not even worth listening to. The album might contain Pete's career low point: a crossover attempt by Deda and Pete (which gave me serious thoughts of ripping my eardrums out). Let's just say I wish I could give this album negative rating. I feel worse off after hearing this, knowing that Rock wasted these beats on Deda. For any Pete Rock fan (or even hip-hop fan) "Original Baby Pa" will not just leave you unsatisfied, but frustrated and depressed.

So, in complete honesty "Center of Attention" by InI is really what you're going to be getting, which by all means is more than worth it. Unfortunately it is paired with a horrible album by Deda. If that stops you from buying this package and being blessed by "Center of Attention", then you probably have no real love for this music. Those who have heard know it's worth it: you are getting a Lost classic... although I wish the other one had never been Found.

Center Of Attention: (10/10)
Original Baby Pa: (1/10)


(Please, Please don't let this stop you from getting this, it really is worth it... I just can't lie about "Original Baby Pa" and expect you to believe how good "Center of Attention" is.)

When I first heard this CD I thought, Why doesnt Pete Rock, the Master producer get more props??? I Love Pete Rock and the last album I have of his is Soul Survivor. He needs to make more and more. This double CD gets better and better as I listen to it!!!! I cant stop playing INI or Baby Pa. If you are not my age and not brought up on hip hop when it first began...You may not appreciate it as much at first. Dont get me wrong I love all the latest music out there in hip hop/rap, but this masterpiece is incredible!!!!! I came from old school when hip hop began....Black Sheep, Tribe, BDP, PE, the list goes on...That is why I love these two albums... They remind me of back in the day... Awesome lyrics, and again production. Get these albums they are true hip hop classics.

I cannot truly agree with all the elongated points of the previous review. Yes I will agree(as anyone else should) that INI is an instant classic, the beats are nothing short of exquisite, and Elektra should be ashamed for not originally releasing this album when it was due to come out. I felt like a sucker waiting for it. However, let's look at the hindsight of The Original Baby Pa, Deda. This had to be released sometime in late 94 or 95 at the least. Ok, there is no saving the doomed skills of this rapper. But I believe he deserves some credit for somehow impressing The Chocolate Boy Wonder(think about Group Home and DJ Premier, what was he thinking?).

Ok, now that I've spoke my peace on that, back to the real album here. INI was a group that I like to say categorized their own form of thinking man's poetry and hip-hop. Rob-O could weave the mental images with the younger soul brother Grap Luva on "Mind Over Matter" and "Center of Attention", and Marco Polo gets his lil' shine on the most recognizable track "Fakin' Jax" and "Grown Man Sport". Q-tip and the Extra P drop by to trade verses on "To Each His Own" and just add the whipped cream to the already perfect sundae. The clever samples and production by Pete Rock and the more witty wordplay by INI is just too much to mention and makes me wonder why this group didn't soldier on. I also thank whoever decided to also add in the solo joints from Rob-O. "Wunderlust" still gets bumped in the discplayer and has not moved from its slot since I bought it. Of course though, they should have thrown on "Murderville" and "World Premiere", but I'll stay mum on that and thank goodness I had napster when I did.

Alright, I have to give it a four because Deda did mess up the review and I could not truly give a double album 5 stars in good conscience if part of it is wack. Fortunately INI saved the day in a major way on this 2LP. So sucka emcees, please think twice. And for the love of true hip-hop, please cop this joint.

Pete Rock is the only kat I know that only puts out 5 mic albums. I to had to check out amazon to see if it was worth putting out the loot but i'm not disapointed. I already had INI on tape so I was happy to get the album on cd, I was really impressed with DEDA (or whatever that dudes name is) album. NO WACK BEATS on this album, and the rhymes are tight. Pete Rock FINALLY samples outside of the Juice Crew and gives props to REAL HIP HOP artists. Rookies will be presently surprised by the guest apperances by Q-Tip and Large Professer. ROB-O has always been one of my favorites, but anyone who has all the albums knows what i'm talking about. I'm not going to list what tracks i like because the albums are DEEP. You HAVE TO HAVE Pete Rock & C.L. Smooths Main Ingredient to really appreciate this album. There is no better example of Pete Rock and his crew then the track "In The Flesh." In these days of Chingy and 106 and Fart, this is a good example of what hip hop used to be. Smooth and laid back, with head nodding beats.

Pete Rock has established a huge fan base for his soulful productions. And this 2CD set is no different. In fact, this is his most polished work to date. And it's unreleased material. Though many of us Pete Rock fans have heard the InI - Center of Attention album, it's good to hear it nicely mastered for this collection. Standouts on that album are THINK TWICE, THE LIFE I LIVE, FAKIN JAX, MICROPHONIST WANDERLUST, and the best song TO EACH HIS OWN. Now to disc 2, Deda - The Original Baby Pa. Now none of knew this album even existed. But what a great piece of work this is. Though Deda sounds very monotonous and its quite obvious that Pete Rock outshines him with the beats, Deda is still a decent emcee. Standouts here are EVERYMAN, BABY PA, CAN'T WAIT, MARKD4DEATH, PRESS REWIND, RHYME WRITER, TOO CLOSE, and which I think is one of the best Pete Rock beats ever made, NASTY SCENE with its great bassline, nice usage of the horns and the fabulous xylophones on the chorus. You gotta love this beat for all its worth. This is a definate must buy for all Pete Rock fans. If you were disapointed with Soul Survivor 2 ( even though I thought it was pretty good ), listening to this will remind you why Pete Rock is the best producer in Hip Hop history.

I wondered why someone at Elektra would prevent an album this great from being released but they would rather promote albums that lacks the spirits of hip hop,that is why state of hip hop is in shambles yes shambles.Big Word up to my Man Pete Rock for releasing this album anyway b/c had this album not have seen the light of the day it would have been a major dis-service to rap enthusiast all over the world word.

a well rounded album.... one you can just chill out to

All the other reviewers have already gave you the background on the INI - Center of Attention album from '95 that was shelved and never released.

The music on Center of Attention was originally recorded in 1995 so it's no wonder that the production here is very similiar to Mecca & the Soul Brother and The Main Ingredient. Pete brings the jazz and soul samples along with more of his ingenious use of horns. Standout cuts include "Microphonist Wanderlust", "Don't You Love it", "Life I Live", and "Step Up". Prior to this release the only track I had heard from this album was "Fakin' Jax". That song alone is reason enough to buy this. The mcs from INI definitely aren't some of the best you'll ever hear but their lyrics are good enough to support Pete Rock's stellar production. Center of Attention is a classic in my mind.

The 2nd disc, Deda - The Original Baby Pa is the reason why I gave Lost & Found 4 stars instead of 5. Production on this disc is just as good as Center of Attention but the problem lies in the MC. Some of the reviewers seem reluctant to voice their true opinion about this disc because Pete Rock's name is on it, but the truth is that Deda is absolute garbage as an mc. I mean his lyrics, voice, and flow (prime aspects of an mc) are all weak. Many of the tracks on this disc are brought down by Deda, even Pete Rock can't salvage some of them. Some people may actually be able to tolerate him but I can't for the most part. As a result, this disc gets far less spins in my disc changer than Center of Attention. I think it would be a good idea for Pete Rock to release an instrumental version of this disc (if possible) so that you could truly appreciate the classic production on this disc.

Lost & Found is definitely worth a purchase despite the Deda disc. Center of Attention is a classic and those with lots of tolerance and patience may be able to get past Deda's annoyance on The Original Baby Pa. Also this is Pete Rock. Pete Rock doesn't just make beats, he composes masterpieces.

Those who are educated in the hip hop arena all know the Pete Rock embodies the spirit of hip hop. Classic albums such Main Ingredient and Mecca Soul Brother have made Pete Rock the essence of mid 90's hip hop: excellent smooth lyrics without the rash of rhymes about guns, money or 'hoes', excellent production, chill beats with interesting samples. This album, Lost and Found, is no exception. This album has all these things listed above. It easily makes the top portion of my favorite hip hop list near Common's 'Resurrection', Black Star, Talib Kweli and Hi Tek's 'Eternal Reflection, and People Under the Stairs' 'O.S.T' If you're looking for other awesome hip hop, check out these albums as well. Get Lost and Found or miss out on one of hip hop's leading innovators.