Choice Cuts, Vol. 2

In the second volume of their Choice Cuts EP series, Hydroponic Sound System hold down their established hip hop and down tempo breaks flavor while pushing it out with a broader range of soul and funk influence. MC's include long-time Hydro collaborators Bavu Blakes and Headkrack, along with fresh collab's with rapper MYK and soulful chanteuse S'ence. Two things that stand out most on this release (as with past Hydro work) are nice beats and dead-on lyrical flows. Their first cut is '50K' featuring Bavu Blakes. It's characterized by analog bass and synth hooks, beats that resonate with a militant flow and Bavu Blakes low-key vocal styling. Definitely stands out high. It's followed by 'Catch a Flashback' featuring the syrupy soul of S'ence. This cut drops a smooth bass line under strong mellow breaks and cowbells that are joined by horn stabs and occasional guitar riffs. Clearly this is where Hydro work their groove for the ladies. The A-side finishes up with three instrumental cuts from the two previous songs and gives a taste of what's coming up on the B-side. Headkrack leads the B-side charge with 'Reggie Rush'. You really have to appreciate Headkrack's sense of humor and rapping skills. It always gets my mind making comparisons to The Pharcyde. The Beats and bass move in a slow Tosca flow backed by sampled disco string cuts and fronted with heavy rap. 'Live From B-Boy City (dub version)' is gonna make break heads smile, especially those who've got that thing for Fort Knox Five or Brooklyn's Latin breaks sound coming out from labels like Bastard Jazz. Nice Cut! The B-side closes out with 'Big Fat Hater' featuring MYK. You'll divine some Kruder & Dorfmeister influence in the bass work, while the mellow beats support MYK's lyricals. For the ladies the clear choice cut is the soulful 'Catch A Flashback', for the men it's '50K', and for the b-boys (and b-girls) it has to be 'Live From B-Boy City'. Hydroponic Sound System's 'Choice Cuts Vol. 2' is indeed choice.