Rating:
Genre:
Rap
Release Date: 08/07/2007
Though it's relegated to a Japan-only release,
Ahead of the Curve stands as the best
Quannum collection since the original
Quannum Spectrum. It's a mix album with tracks old and new, remixes, new productions, and plenty of contributions from
Quannum associates (
DJ Shadow, various members of
Jurassic 5 and
Blackalicious) as well some beat-driven all-stars (
Q-Tip,
Fatboy Slim,
Chubb Rock). The first track,
"Watch Out!," kicks with a loose trap drum, but most of the beats aren't rare groove specials -- they're big technoid monsters with brief bursts of samples and heavy claps. As on
Quannum Spectrum, there are a few of the expected R&B joints to balance the hip-hop, but also plenty of excellent
Lateef productions and
Z-Trip turntablism. Surprises may be few, but they're plenty of fun, including a twisted freestyle on
Pink Floyd's
"Time" with vocals by
Gift of Gab, a haunted-sounding
Latyrx on
"Hard Left Remix" with
Lateef's own vocals, and
Chubb Rock's appearance on the very golden age-sounding
"Grammy Got Run Over by a Reindeer." ~John Bush, All Music Guide
;)
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