Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Main Ingredient

Marley Marl disciple Pete Rock is rightly hailed as one of the greatest producers around. Jazzy and soulful, his productions are some of the smoothest, funkiest, most innovative, and listenable on record. Though he's produced a crate-full of hits, it's his work with front man C.L. Smooth that's most fondly remembered, and The Main Ingredient--the duo's second album, after Mecca and the Soul Brother--lives up to the hype. Smooth's proficiency on the mic doesn't match his partner's studio wizardry, but not many do, and Smooth's easygoing, free-flowing delivery complements the grooves to good effect (and more importantly, keeps Rock from taking on too many vocal duties). Great for parties or a lazy weekend afternoon, The Main Ingredient is fondly remembered for all the right reasons. --Randy Silver Amazon.com

So smooth

I don't normally bother reviewing albums but for this one I made an exception. This is "hands down" one of the best hip hop albums I have ever heard. Solid, relaxed beats along with meaningful, on point lyrics make this a must have for any hip hop junkie. If you haven't yet heard this one grab yourself a copy you wont regret it!!!! Props to Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth June 16, 2008

Hip-Hop's Main Ingredient.

The collaboration of legendary producer Pete Rock and the legendary C.L. Smooth returned 2 years after the cult classic "Mecca and the Soul Brother", to follow it up with another classic called "The Main Ingredient".

Pete Rock's production is some of his best to date here. The jazz influenced beats are still present here, yet they tend to stand out a bit more with their soulful and relaxed attitude and remain very memorable, especially in songs like "Sun Won't Come Out", "I Got A Love", "I Get Physical", and especially the title song "The Main Ingredient". C.L. Smooth is one of the most criminally underrated MC's ever. This guy has such a smooth yet dynamic flow and puts plenty of thought into his lyrics. He's an MC that's entertaining to listen to, since he keeps you interested while Pete Rock lays down the perfect beats to bring out the flavor.

Don't sleep on it. This is another fine example of how hip-hop should be done. It's rather unfortunate that Pete and C.L. split ways after this album, but this duo will never be forgotten by keeping a consistent style throughout their career, with an EP and two full-lengths that bear the title "classic". May 7, 2008

genuwine hip hop

I just heard this album almost a decade after its release, i only knew few tracks from this Rap duet, and TROY was the best.
simply speaking, the album took me back to hip hop's golden era when both music production and the lyrics where at the peaks of depth and innovation. CL's flow is amazing and Pete Rock's production is very catchy. this album as well as Soul Brothers (return of the mecca) are certainly worth listening to any hip hop fan, and i mean the real 90's hip hop. December 7, 2007

Unreal Album By One Of The Best Duos Of All Time

As a heavy fan of G-Funk West Coast and Southern rap from the 90's, many may think I have no love for the East Coast. That can't be farther from the truth. I have this 1994 timeless classic, as well as PR and CL's Mecca And The Soul Brother, and I like these guys as much as my west and south coast fav's. Pete Rock's beats and scratches are fantasy come true, pure funk-jazz, soul, boom-bap bass, and smooth, cool keyboards. The only other producer who has as much talent behind the boards may be DJ Premier from Gang Starr; well, Erick Sermon has deep groove funk seepin' out his veins, and his beats rock too. But, The Main Ingredient has beats that take hip-hop to another level. CL Smooth has such a slick flow throughout, and his rapping voice just fits in like a piece of the puzzle. His raps are as smooth as the beats. CL is lyrical, and his rhymes are among the best on the East Coast. He is as much for the playas and pimps with his butta lyrics on "Caramel." Pete Rock's beautiful beat on "Take You There" are as smooth and melodious as G-Funk but the beat has that perfect East Coast bass and keyboard tang, and CL spits some fire to perfectly complement the music. Just like on Mecca, Pete Rock has brief instrumentals at the beginning and end of many joints. A nice rawer boom-bap joint here is "Sun Won't Come Out." CL has a harsher flow and a more menacing atmosphere. He really flexes his battle skills here. The title track has a mad different beat. Twangy foreground beat laden with horns has a refreshing and original vibe with some beautiful whistly vibes in the middle of the verses. CL kicks some busta-free battle lyrics again. "I Got A Love" is vintage old-school influenced bump and bass, and CL kicks some playa flava. There is not one joint I skip here, a rare feat in hip-hop. This one gets more play than many of my fav West Coast joints. This album definitely sets the standard of the East Coast, and for anywhere for that matter. This is a memorable album from my favorite year in rap: 1994. Any one from anywhere should have no trouble lovin' this masterpiece. Mecca And Soul Brother from 1992 is also essential. September 8, 2007

"You Can't Season The Pot Without The Main Ingredient" (Rating: 10 out of 10- -5.0 stars)

I don't know what I can add to the reviews that cannot have already have been said. Pete Rock and CL are one of the best duo's in hip hop, there is no question about that. The follow up to their classic album Mecca and the Soul Brother with this beautiful masterpiece The Main Ingreedient. To be very honest, I like this album than the previous one. Pete Rock's production here is outstanding, and more laid back here. He doesn't use the horns as much (if any) on this album, like he did on the previous as well. "I Get Physical" and "It's On You" are some of the great production that is on this album. You can tell by listening that Pete has evolved as a producer over the two year period.

As for CL, he still great around the vocals. The the editorial reviewer mentioned, it's not easy for him to match Pete's production, but CL does his thing with very little or no problems. He flows freely and easily over the production which I like as well. "In The House" is excellent on the lyrical side. Another is "Take You There" his rhymes works well over the correct production. "Get On The Mic" is another easy stand out (How did I know they were going to spin that Biz Markie sample as the hook?). Pete Rock takes over the mic on some songs as well, mostly on his solo song "Escape" and "Worldwide" featuring Grap Lova.

This album is great to listen to. It has as a more laid back atmosphere to listen to. As I said earlier, I like this one better than the first full length LP. If you're looking for some easy vibing music from the '94 era, go ahead and pick this up, if you haven't already. I'm pretty sure that everyone was dissapointed when they split up back in '95, and Pete Rock persued a solo career, as well as CL making a few songs over a period of time, and comeback album last year. At the cheap price it is right now, I recommend you add this to your collection. Peace!!

Lyrics: A
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A+

Top 5 Tracks:
1. I Get Physical
2. Get On The Mic
3. In The House
4. Take You There
5. It's On You

Honorable Mention Tracks:
1. Caramel City
2. I Got A Love September 1, 2007

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