|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
Sharkey:
Sharkey's Machine
If you are going to make a record that is hip-hop for the sake of hip-hop, you must cover all the bases. First, as is the case with all hip-hop/electronica, the beats and rhythms cannot disappoint. Every track should be laced with hooks and drum kicks that keep you thirsty for more, especially when the beat stops unexpectedly and you are left cringing because you can't live unless you can nod your head one last time. Next, you need to secure some top-quality singers and MCs for the special appearances, whose names alone will help sell your record. Famed DJ and producer Sharkey has both of these angles figured out but, as is the case with all ambitious musicians, he lets it get the best of him at times here. Sharkey's inspirations run wild, and while that would be the ultimate factor in truly appreciating his live DJ sets, it simply does not translate as well on a recorded medium. His influences have a wide-spanning range, but many will not be able to grasp his style that can best be described as "all-over-place-and-nowhere-at-all." In theory, having a mix of different genres (hip-hop, electronica, bossanova, adult contemporary singer-songwriters, and traditional rock n' roll) should provide a well rounded offering. However, what works best here is what is supposed to work best coming from an experienced musician such as Sharkey: the hip-hop. Tracks such as "Fuzz" (featuring Cannibal Ox) and "Phone Sex" (featuring Cherrywine A.K.A. the artist formerly known as Butterfly of Digable Planets) are the heating catalysts for what seems to be a white-hot record. Unfortunately, what results in these songs is a wannabe blues ballad, "Little Cabin Song," which fails to evoke any sort of emotion at all. Next is a solo Sharkey track, "If It Fits," with an intro that states, "This is probably the most challenging record that you have ever put on your turntable," before it kicks into a Punjabi-laden rhythm that is ill, to say the least. This type of song would fit right in anywhere that Global Grove Records would place their imprint. The remainder of the tracks here will each find their way into the playlists of music aficionados whose tastes are as diverse as Sharkey's, but the significance of the album's variance will be lost on many listeners who tend to focus on certain genres while completely disregarding other ones. What must be noted is that the true gem of the album, "Summertime in the City," will keep all five boroughs of the Big Apple bouncing from the summer solstice until the autumnal equinox of 2004 and beyond. The track features Jean Grae's NYCentric raps that transcend the listener into a level of consciousness that has been dormant since Ladybug (of Digable Planets) retired her mic. Her metropolitan-minded lyrical prowess is the missing ingredient for this bouillabaisse that Sharkey is dishing out this summer. While the entirety of the album may be as confusing as "If It Fits" suggests, this should not deter the more adventurous listeners from giving this record a hark.
This album can be purchased at Amazon and CD Universe About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
