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Brolin Winning
Artist: Marley Marl
Title: Marley Marl: Re Entry
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Brolin Winning
When it comes to beats, there are very few producers out there that can step to Marley Marl. He might not get the same level of mainstream recognition as folks like Dre and Timbaland, but one look at his track record, and it's easy to see why he's a legend. "Eric B Is President," "The Bridge," "Ain't No Half Steppin," "The Symphony," "Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz," the list goes on and on. He was the sonic mastermind behind the all-star Juice Crew, and he started Cold Chillin' Records. He was also the man behind LL's 1990 comeback, Lords of the Underground's ultra-ill debut, and was a key player in Capone-N-Noreaga's classic The War Report. Unquestionably one of the most influential beat-makers to ever lay a track, it's only right that he's featured on BBE's Beat Generation series. Re Entry serves as an updated intro for all the new-jacks out there, and a long awaited full-length for those who grew up listening to him.
Following a brief, spoken intro, we're treated to "Do U Remember," a short but sweet trip down memory lane, with mellow pianos and thick drums backing up a rapid-fire selection of cut-up highlights from his storied career. Making a re-entry of his own is Big Daddy Kane, who simply destroys the mic on "Three's Company," spitting fierce ménage a trios rhymes over a neck-breaking beat and nicely chopped samples. The aptly-titled "Just Funky" rocks gritty boom-baps, chill guitar licks, and some serious scratching, while "Lost Beat" flaunts rock-hard beats, moody keys, and dramatic synth-strings. He also teams up with Roy Ayers on the jazzy "Hummin'," as the man who coined "we live in Brooklyn baby" adds some smooth vibraphones and soulful crooning to the mix. Other standouts include the trippy, heavy filtered "Big Faces," the grim, thugged-out vibe of "What U Hold Down" with Capone and T. Slugs, and the album's closer, "NY NY," built on some exceptionally nice tinkling pianos.
Whether or not you came up with the Juice Crew, Re Entry is a quality record all around. The guest emcees do their thing (especially Kane), and the production is high caliber throughout. After nearly twenty years behind the boards, Marley Marl continues to bring it. Sheer dopeness from one of hip-hop's most esteemed pioneers.
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