Little Brother The Listening LP
Whew, lucky I got to you before the hype machine churned into overdrive on this lot. Phonte, 9th Wonder and Big Pooh (Great name!) from North Carolina have been hailed in some quarters as the new (drum roll, please) A Tribe Called Quest. It would be a lie to say that ATCQ's influence wasn't lurking in there like R Kelly at a playground but to say that they are the only inspiration to this crew is to ignore the Curtis Mayfield like soul of 'Make Me Hot', and the genius behind the baritone take on Rob Base and EZ Rock's 'It Takes Two' on 'Groupie Pt.2'.
The chemistry between Phonte and Big Pooh is reminiscent of Andre and Big Boi of Outkast with both MC's staying solidly on the same wavelength throughout the album. LB make it known that they aren't down with the mung bean munching, back packing elitists when Phonte states "that's why I can't fuck with coffee houses, man, get on my godamn nerves" and he even threatens to spit some Trick Daddy at the next poetry reading he attends.
Little Brother are definitely going to get noticed, if only for that 'think-you've-heard-it before-but-heard-nothing-like-it-vibe'. 9th Wonder creates lush and atmospheric backdrops and the MC's put it down solidly without any pretension. It's a shame 'Atari 2600' wasn't featured on the album (The limited edition 7" which sees Phonte on crooning duties, Big Pooh doing a RZA impression while talking about playing Frogger and yet more seductive 9th Wonder instrumentation) From beginning to end a pleasure to listen to.
- Kobi | profile
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