--=[Pete Philly & Perquisite 2]=--

Pete Philly & Perquisite: Remindstate [2007]

Remindstate is a kind of loose concept album, with each song (minus the intro) describing an emotion that is put into context and explained by the MC's rhymes. For the most part, Pete Philly does a good job at portraying each sentiment (and this is disregarding the fact that every track except for Relieved has a hook that contains the song title), moving from the funky Insomnia, which has a bassline that sounds like the pounding of tired, red eyes, to Mellow, about being comfortably in love, to Respect, with its clearly purposefully chosen Middle Eastern/Indian-inspired beats and lyrics about corporations taking way more than they need. There are some discrepancies, like the suitability of the lyrics in the title track, which talk of being torn between ups and downs and seem more appropriate for Conflicted feelings, and Cocksure, which finds Pete Philly boasting about his rhyming and sexual talents, contains the unfortunate line lean, green, mean, rap writing machine, which should never make anyone confident in anything except perhaps the power of vegetables. Nonetheless, the MC is pretty solid, and his nicely syncopated delivery, a mix between Talib Kweli (it's no wonder he agreed to be involved in a song) and John Forte, is refreshing and fun. Even more impressive is Perquisite, who adds guest musicians on saxophone, percussion, and guitar, as well as his own piano and cello, to his chilled-out jazz beats, coming up with something that is interesting and always fits the mood of each song. European or not, Mind.State is an album that is sure to impress underground hip-hop fans on both sides of the Atlantic. To all that add Remix and U have a even greater concept.

Pete Philly & Perquisite - Mellow



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