Customer Reviews

Main Ingredient

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Back when MC's actually sat down and wrote intricate intelligent lyrics, there was a rapper name CL Smooth who was as respected as they came. Teamed with the super producer Pete Rock, the duo would combine for two all-time classics; Mecca & The Soul Brother and the Main Ingredient. Both offerings are equally timeless pieces of art. However, the second can be considered the more focused and polished work of the two. Going into this album Pete Rock made a name for himself as a producer who was adept in looping horn riffs into melodic and jazzy rhythms. Rather than following his own blueprint, he advanced his style on the Main Ingredient, creating a more ambitious and soulful album. He brings his A-game, because in the early 90's the rap game was generated by A-list producers and MC's. The standout production includes I Get Physical with its gentle guitar riff; I Got a Love with its driving energetic hook; All the Places with its soulful jazzy light cadence; I'll Take You There with its head bopping yet easeful kick; and the title cut which is laced with the aforementioned signature horn riffs. While Pete Rock provides the engine for this ship, CL Smooth directs the navigation with his well thought lyrics that compliment each track like french fries to a burger. There are no ignorant misogynistic references, or useless repetitious usage of the N-word. This is pure hip-hop when hip-hop seemed to matter as a true art form. This album represents a time when MCs maintained their respective pace and competition through the use of intelligence as opposed to lazy ignorance.

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's second album "The Main Ingredient" (1994) is an underated slept on gem. Pete Rock's amazing production matched with C.L.'s addictive and intelligent rhyming make an album to remember. Beats are excellent from start to finish on this sixteen track release, cd has great replay value and music sounds ahead of its time which it was. My favourite track is "It's On You" love the verses, beat and background chorus on this one. Love the way "I Get Physical" flows and the outstanding guitar & piano backed "All The Places" has C.L. talking about where he has been- a very memorable track. Relaxed tracks like "Carmel City" , "Searching" and lead single "Take You There" create a feel good album. Music on this is substantial and relaxed at the same time. Every track on this is nice to me, and "The Main Ingredient" flows concurrently throughout with the end result being a highly enjoyable and memorable album which I would recommend for any Hip Hop collection.

I'll go ahead and state the obvious: Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth never made a bad album. Period. They could probably come back from their 13 year hiatus and drop another classic as far as I'm concerned. The thing that makes this album great is 1) Pete Rock's immaculate production and 2) C.L.'s flow. You can't say that any of their albums sound like someone elses. CL has a unique format and interesting wordplay that commands attention. Pete Rock is easily one of the top 5 producers in hip hop history and his ear for jazz samples is unmatched to this day. They blend their talents on this album and the songs bleed into each other perfectly. Did I mention how P.R. drops snippets between tracks? Forget about it. He drops just enough to make you crave and come back for more. If you're not instantly feeling this album, your heart isn't beating.

Flaws? Forget about it. Moving on...

The Main Ingredient is the last release from the duo known as Pete Rock & CL Smooth. That should be reason enough for you to get this. If that's not enough, know that Pete Rock's production is on point and CL Smooth's unique flow and wordplay make for one of the smoothest/laid back rap albums you'll ever hear. This is one of those rap albums that hits you in a way that makes you remember exactly what you're doing and where you were when you heard it for the first time. Anything less than 5 stars for this album borders on blasphemous. I recommend making this album a collection cornerstone.

Standout Tracks: I Got A Love (My Favorite), In The House, Sun Won't Come Out, Carmel City....hell, every track on this album is top notch and they all stand out.

If you don't have this album then go and pick it up now. You won't be disappointed. This album came out during my favorite period in hip-hop 92-96. It's too bad that it was overlooked by most because Nas's Illmatic and Biggie's Ready to Die also came out in '94.

The beats on this album are incredible. Of course that's expected from Pete Rock (one of the best hip-hop producers ever). CL Smooth's rhymes are great as well. My favorite songs are Carmel City and Worldwide. The horns used in Pete Rock's production just make you want to sit back and relax.

If you're a fan of good hip-hop and want to listen to some incredible music from the 90s then this is the album for you. A classic by all means. However, if you have a closed mind and will only listen to whoever is popular at the moment then this isn't for you.

In addition to this LP I also recommend

Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Mecca & The Soul Brother
Common Sense - Resurrection
Pete Rock - Soul Survivor

Gangstarr - Moment of Truth

Words can't even describe what this record has done for true hip hop listeners out there. I've had this record borrowed and not returned so many times I'm on my 5th CD purchase right now. Forget what your hearing right now this is not only a classic but GENIOUS and I play this all the time, and it's like listening to it for the first time. This is Hip Hop at it's purest form. Puffy could only dream to follow this formula despite the commercial money he's making this is truly for soul. Pete Rock and CL where are you guys please for the sake of this [...] we listening to now, don't change. Luv your music and for what you stand for. 5 Stars isn't enough.

This (as well as their first album, Mecca and the Soul Brother) is the "Real Deal". I honestly can not think of any artists whose albums are as complete and enjoyable. The beats jump and the production is tight. The lyrics and CL's delivery is distinct as Biggie and clever as Q-Tip. Maybe they haven't had commercial success because they don't make the garbage that put the "Puff" into Daddy. When they look back, this duo will stand out like great artists who were not appreciated in their own time.

This album represented 90's hip hop in its truest sense. It was almost ahead of it's time. It too bad that it did not get the recognition it deserved and it's too bad that Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth does not get the props they deserve. Pete is definitely one of the great hip hop chemists and C.L. Smooth is a lyricist in every sense of the word. I wonder if C.L. serves as inspiration for Hova because to my knowledge, very few could wrap lyrics around a beat like C.L in the early 90's just very few could wrap lyrics around a beat like Jay in the late 90's. C.L.'s lyricism was stellar as well as witty. It's those same lyrical attributes that made Jay the most loved and most envied in the game. The Main Ingredient is a work of art.

Make love a great influence.

Rest in peace Curtis Sneed. We love you and still miss you. We used to jam this album didn't we?

Yeah I said it...to me at least, this is better stuff then Mecca and The Soul Brother.They refined their sound and the result is a more focused effort than "Mecca". I like pete's smoother style of production (even though i LOVE all his stuff).
C.L. is as on point here as ever, even though he switched his focus from mainly battle raps to love songs, C.L.'s still got the lyrics. He has the versatility to switch from party oriented joints like "Take You There" to honing his technique on "Get On The Mic". While Pete goes from a smooth guitar sample on "I Get Physical" to a dope horn loop on "Searching", all while binding the album together with beautiful and expertly placed interludes of soul samples that set the dreamy mood.


I HIGHLY reccomend this to any fan of hip hop...it's such a shame how low hip hop's quality level has dipped since this gem was released.

The Main Ingredient is one of those Hip Hop LP's that you could put on everyday and it still wouldn't lose its flavor. Pete Rock's beats have never sounded so good and C.L.'s lyrics continued to remain on point throughout the length of the record. Classic Material!!!
Peace!

Like they were born out of the same womb, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth blend beats and flows together like a fine wine. It is well known that Pete Rock is one of the best producers in hip hop, and if you are wondering why, this album is exibit A. Every track on this album will make your head bob, while C.L. smooth rhymes like he is drunk on style. There are so many goods beats on this album, Pete Rock has extras leaking out of the ends of tracks, just tempting you will his unbelievably delicious recipes. Smooth compliments him so well, you are almost depressed when the album ends. It is truly music at its most perfect state, simmering on the stove, bubbling with flavor. This is delicious hip hop, one for every hip hop fans pantry. The "Main Ingredient" is as tasty as music gets.