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From the vintage Philly trolley on the album's cover
to the abundance of off kilter mixtape worthy sounds
contained within, everything about Arrakis Records and
their compilation The Spice is avant-garde. This underground
stable is filled with artists who put their money where
their rhymes are and simply make music for themselves.
Collectively, they could care less who likes them or
their music. While this approach isn't going to result
in any Arrakis mansions and yahts, they'll be around
for a long time because the music that they do make
for themselves happens to be very good and they have
a well deserved, fanatical cult following. Those followers
saw to it that they voted Arrakis Records as PhillyHipHop.com's
Independent Record Label of the Year for 2001.
If you're the bling bling type don't even bother reading
any further. The Spice is chock full of grimy, crackled,
groovy grooves that sound good sober and good and different
intoxicated as I surmise they intended. Highlights include
Dept. of Rec.'s sparse, erie proven commodity Thinking
Outside The Box (MP3 audio - http://www.arrakisrecords.com/audio/dor_thinking.mp3)
and Rasheed aka Maylay Sparks with DJ Noize and Gemini
on the head noddin The Sickest that sounds as though
the best of the Wu Tang relocated to the 215. But wait...
there's more! Dept. of Rec. two times you with the infectious,
superbly produced "weaving in and out of traffic"
feel of Scum while Digs Darklighter, Briz and Breez
Evaflowin' come with a style that Herc, Flash &
Bam never could have envisioned but is nonetheless oddly
funky and purely Hip Hop. Oh, and I can't forget the
triumverant of tight lyricism that Digs, Uncle T and
Tarp spit forth on Twisted Metal 2 (MP3 audio - http://www.arrakisrecords.com/audio/digs_unclet-twisted_metal_2.mp3).
Alright, last one- I promise... Codename: F!@#yall may
be the best song on the album. The players on the cut
are Uncle T, Tonedeff, Pack FM, iCON the Mic King.
Arrakisrecords.com
Bpdistribution.com
Are you feelin "The Spice" or not?
Vote
in our online poll right here
Reviewed by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor- PhillyHipHop.com
July, 2002
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