Discography Review #2: Pete Rock & CL Smooth

Back in the early 90s, record label Elektra were apparently on a journey to sign more hip-hop acts to the label (as they were known for managing folk and rock acts at the time). They ended up stumbling upon a producer/MC duo under the name of Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Straight outta Mount Vernon, New York, the duo had been making music professionally since around 1989. Producer/DJ Pete Rock got a little kickstart that same year, producing tracks for his late cousin Heavy D (& the Boyz) on the album Big Tyme.
In 1991, Pete Rock & CL Smooth released their debut EP All Souled Out, featuring the single "The Creator" (which, unlike the rest of the project, featured Pete Rock primarily on vocals and CL managing the turntables). The next year, their debut full-length album was finally released: Mecca and the Soul Brother, which is regarded as a classic today. After releasing their second album The Main Ingredient in '94, the duo started to go through some creative differences, breaking up in 1996 after the release of the Searching remix 12". Although they later collaborated on each other's solo projects every now and then and even went on a little reunion tour, their relationship with each other was really complicated, taking jabs at each other during individual interviews. It wasn't until 2010 when they sorted out their differences and announced they had a new album in the works, touring for the 25th anniversary of All Souled Out in 2016.

Although unfortunately breaking up too soon (in my opinion), Pete Rock & CL Smooth eventually left a legacy on the hip-hop culture, with their 1992 single "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" being regarded as one of the best hip-hop songs of all time. Pete Rock went on to produce for a number of legendary artists, making a mark on the culture with songs like Nas' "The World is Yours" and AZ's "Gimme Yours", and influencing the one and only J Dilla.

So I thought it was only right to continue my series of discography reviews, going through Pete Rock & CL Smooth's catalog. Also, Season 2 of Luke Cage is releasing this Friday (June 22) on Netflix, with its episodes being named after the duo's songs. Let's get it!

All Souled Out

Released: June 25, 1991

Released around the Summer of '91, All Souled Out served as the duo's first project, featuring five tracks and a remix. Pete Rock & CL Smooth manage to take us through a majestic musical trip in under 30 minutes, with Pete Rock using both well-known and obscure samples on his SP-1200 and flipping them so well, while CL Smooth delivering his solid rhymes with a smooth and relaxing delivery.
"Good Life", the intro, builds from a scattered breakbeat to such a dense arrangement, consisting of funky basslines and catchy trumpet samples, as CL give us a gripping analysis of life's luxuries. "Mecca and the Soul Brother" (which would later be the title of their debut album) is my favourite song off the EP, with a runtime of 6 minutes; and CL was spitting HARD! "Go with the Flow" is a catchy and funky tune as Pete Rock laced the beat with a nice flute sample and the "Funky Drummer" drums, while CL floats effortlessly.
Pete takes over vocal duties with "The Creator", a main highlight on the album, where Pete, with his monotone, laidback delivery, raps about his skills on the boards and his expertise with the ladies. Yeah, he ain't the most skilled rapper and most of the time, he doesn't say much in his rhymes. But the delivery is a key aspect for him and he flows pretty well over the funky horn-driven beat. The title track was nothing special, and the Group Home Mix of "Good Life" is aight.
Overall, All Souled Out is an amazing introduction into the sound of Pete Rock & CL Smooth, which would improve so well overtime for the next three years.

Recommended Tracks: "Mecca and the Soul Brother", "The Creator", "Go with the Flow", "Good Life"

Mecca and the Soul Brother

Released: June 9, 1992

Now, this was the album that changed everything for Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Mecca and the Soul Brother was their long-awaited full-length debut, featuring 16 tracks with guest appearances from Heavy D, Grap Luva, Deda, Rob O & Grand Puba. A critically-acclaimed classic, the album features a large number of standouts, and it'd be hella long to go through each and every one.
"For Pete's Sake" is one of the first few songs to get us in the album very well, as both Pete & CL kick some dope rhymes over a funky rhythm, the scratches are tight and Pete Rock came through with the sample flips. "Lots of Lovin'" is such a relaxing joint, especially for Summer days, as CL raps an ode to his partner. "Straighten It Out" is a classic which sees CL touch on bootleggers and dealing with sample clearances.
"It's Like That" and "Can't Front on Me" are some absolute bangers and CL's delivery is immaculate on those songs while Pete kills it with the fire production and scratches. "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" is one of my favourite songs of all time, a touching dedication to one of the duo's close friends Trouble T-Roy (who sadly passed away around that time) and the beat is just beautiful. Pete Rock's rapping performances have improved a lot from All Souled Out, delivering solid verses on "For Pete's Sake", "Skinz" and "The Basement", and the latter is an amazing posse cut, with Heavy D, Grap Luva, CL & Deda coming through with exceptional contributions.
Mecca and the Soul Brother overall continues where they left off with their 1991 EP and improves on that, with more memorable moments: better verses and elite production which make for some wonderful songs. A classic album that everybody should listen to.

Recommended Tracks: "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)", "The Basement", "For Pete's Sake", "Straighten It Out", "Lots of Lovin'", "It's Like That", "Can't Front on Me", "Return of the Mecca"

The Main Ingredient

Released: November 8, 1994

The Main Ingredient comes just two years after the release of the duo's classic debut Mecca and the Soul Brother, but would also end up being their final album together (although it's been confirmed they've been working on a new project recently, but who knows if that'd really drop). Another 16 track effort which was overlooked overtime, the album saw a more improved and polished sound in comparison to their debut album, especially production wise. CL Smooth's wordplay was still nice and all, but the beats definitely take the cake more than it did on M&TSB. Maybe that's the reason why I enjoy The Main Ingredient slightly more than the former. There's certainly a larger number of standouts, and again, it'd be long to talk about.
"Carmel City" is one of those smooth nighttime joints to vibe out to, as CL attempts to take us on a journey to the city of Carmel, where the most beautiful ladies reside. "I Get Physical" is a banger, and CL's verses deliver hard while Pete Rock comes through with the production & scratches. "I Got a Love" continues the "ladies-man" persona of CL from Carmel City and Lots of Lovin', as he attempts to get down with a lady and make some love.
"Escape" is a Pete Rock solo, and is one of my favourites on the album, the beat is just on another level, and Pete does his thing over the instrumental. "All the Places" is the most beautiful beat on the album, every time I hear the song, it's like I've been taken to another place. "Searching" is one of Pete's best beats, and the vibe is just amazing on that song, with CL rapping about how he has finally found his one girl who he wants to sex with. "In the Flesh" is another solid posse cut, continuing the vibe of M&TSB standout "The Basement", and Pete, CL, Rob-O & Deda spit some hot 16s over a chill beat. I still haven't decided on who had the better verse, but Deda & Pete Rock killed their verses.
The Main Ingredient is definitely an amazing follow-up in the small discography, and definitely deserves a lot more credit to this day. It is actually the one album in their discography I happen to really enjoy the most. The beats from Pete Rock are banging hard as usual, the wordplay is still intact, the smooth vibes are in full effect too. Too bad it ended up being their final body of work, as it ends up being an album that makes you wish they didn't break up too soon...

Recommended Tracks: "Escape", "All the Places", "In the Flesh", "Searching", "I Get Physical", "Carmel City", "I Got a Love", "Take You There", "Worldwide"

Buy the album here!