Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Mecca and the Soul Brother [The Samples]



Released in 1992, Mecca and the Soul Brother is widely considered to be Pete Rock & CL Smooth's greatest album. Featuring the classic hit 'T.R.O.Y.', a tribute to Heavy D & the Boyz' "Trouble" T. Roy, the track is up there with 'I Used to Love H.E.R.' by Common and the other genre-defining greats. Pete Rock divulged into the in-depth and emotional creation of the track in a 2007 Village Voice article which can be read here.

The album features over forty samples (just above three hours), many of which are obscure and downright trippy. Indeed, only the genius of Pete Rock can dig out these oddball track selections and craft such an organic tapestry of sound for CL Smooth, his then-partner in rhyme. Download this set and just sit back... Enjoy the brilliant sax skills of Tom Scott, the aching croons of Les McCann, the pimptastic jives of Charles "Sweet" Sherrell, the always-funky grooves of George Clinton and James Brown, and plenty, plenty more!