Albums I listened to this week [7/13/08]

Baby D - A-Town Secret Weapon [2008]
Baby D (from Atlanta) released A-Town Secret Weapon in April of 2008. Many facets of the album sound like they have been plucked from other artists. Vocally, Baby D sounds very much like Chingy due to the twangy accent and high-pitched vocal tone.

The beats sound like they belong on a T.I. album, which isn't totally shocking since much of the music out of Atlanta tends to rely on similar beat patterns and styles. Guest artists include Sean P (of the Youngbloodz), Pastor Troy, Gucci Mane, Shawty Lo and Backbone. On the "take it or leave it" continuum, I'd probably leave it.

Highlight: "Get It Girl"
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Gym Class Heroes - As Cruel As School Children, The Match-Up
As I said when discussing the Phillmatic mashup album, I am a sucker for 80's pop music. This time around, the mashup blends Gym Class Heroes with Hall and Oates. This mash-up was produced by J.J. Brown and Dan "The Deacon" Maier.

I was already familiar with J.J. Brown's Ludacris mash-up, Re-Release Therapy, mixing Ludacris with the Jackson 5 (some of which you can check out here, here, and here). I was also familiar with some of his work with rapper Louis Logic (which you can watch here and here).

"Method of Modem Love" is a comical look at Travis McCoy's efforts to pick up a woman via the internet (based on the Gym Class Heroes' track "New Friend Request.") Other tracks were decent, but not especially memorable.

Highlights:

• "For Want Of The White Girl" (which appears to be about drugs)
• "Adult Academics"
  

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Coo Coo Cal - All Or Nothin' [2004]
Milwaukee's Coo Coo Cal has a decent hit back in 2001 with "My Projects." Despite the success of that single, this is the first Coo Coo Cal album that I have listened to in its entirety. The beats sound similar to those from older Twista or Do Or Die albums - a very Midwest Hip-Hop feel.

Highlights:

• "Midwest Best" (featuring Twista)
• "Who's Callin' Me?"

Avoid:

• "Made A Way"

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Three Times Dope - Live From Acknickulous Land [1990]
E.S.T. (a/k/a "The Greatest Man Alive") was well known for popularizing the Gumby haircut. This crew from Philadelphia had me hooked with their album, Original Stylin'. Live From Acknickulous Land measures up to the quality of the group's debut album, even though it may not have produced a standout single.

Highlights:

• "Mr. Sandman"
• "Mellow But Smooth"
• "No Words"
• "I Ain't Trying 2 Hear It"
• "(Peace) Ya' Self"

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Antoinette - Who's The Boss [1989]
Back in the late 80's and early 90's, Antoinette participated in a lyrical back-and-forth with MC Lyte. Actually, I'd consider it the greatest female MC battle series ever. MC Lyte always seemed to get more of the mainstream attention (and more commercial hits), but Antoinette definitely held her own.

One critique that always MC Lyte (and others) often directed at Antoinette concerned biting. For example, "Baby Make It Boom" sounds like a poor woman's version of Salt 'N' Pepa's "Push It." Also, her lyrical delivery is often described as a female version of Rakim (as noted by MC Lyte when she said "you should have won a prize as a Rakim sound-a-like.")

Despite the criticism, I have fond memories of this album. It reminds me of an era when female MCs were plentiful and respected, including: Queen Latifah, Salt 'N' Pepa, Real Roxanne, Roxanne Shante, Sweet Tee, J.J. Fad, L'Trimm, L.A. Star, Oaktown's 357, Big Lady K, Silk Times Leather and more.
Highlights:

• "Lights Out Party's Over"
• "Who's The Boss?"
• "Watch The Gangstress Boogie"
• "Here She Comes"
• "This Girl Is Off On Her Own"

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DJ Smallz - Can't Ban The Smoke Man [Mixtape] [2007]
DJ Smallz is a busy guy. He has been involved in a variety of mixtape series including "Dirty R&B," "Smokin' R&B," and "Southern Smoke." Here, much of the mixtape focuses on southern-oriented remixes and posse cuts. Artists appearing on the mixtape include: Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Akon, Clipse, UGK, Andre 3000, Rich Boy, Jim Jones, Fat Joe, Baby, Lil Flip, T.I., and more.

Even though this mixtape was released last year, it included tracks that I had not heard before this listening (such as the remix to Fat Joe's "Make It Rain" and the remix to Young Jeezy's "I Luv It.")

Highlights:

• "Blow" (by Rick Ross and Clipse)
• "Lost Ones" (by Lil Flip)
• "Dope Boy Fresh" (by Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat)
• "Player's Anthem" (by UGK and Three 6 Mafia)
• "Whip Game Proper" (by Twista and Lil Wayne)