time to start revisitng some of the reviews that have built up over the years. seeing as how i constantly say "welcome to camp lo-fi" during the introductions of each podcast, this album has earned a spot in my heart. check out the player below to hear selections from this album...

KING BRITT
Adventures In Lo-Fi
Record label: BBE/Rapster
Format: 2xLP/CD/MP3
Release date: 25 March 2003

(Review originally posted to BSOTS website April of 2003)

“The Beat Generation” series has been (more often than not) one spectacular album after another, allowing producers like Jaydee, Pete Rock, Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Spinna to do what they feel. This time around, it’s King Britt’s turn to shoot the gift. Things have moved fast and furious for this former silkworm that tagged the tables for Digable Planets in the early ‘90s. The Sylk 130 project quickly made him an international sensation, producing the ‘70s tinged When The Funk Hits The Fan and the ‘80s nostalgic Re-Members Only. His latest journey is decidedly different, however, and rooted in present-day urban electronics and future soul. Adventures In Lo-Fi affirms King Britt’s understanding of the ever-changing nature of black music.

Special guests are in full force on this album - a crowded affair, but never an uncomfortable one. MCs all up in the spot, of course. Bahamadia shines lovely on “Transcend,” proving she’s still one of the smoothest in the game. Brother Britt crafts a potent beat underneath, a hip-hop/R&B hybrid that doesn’t leave a bad aftertaste. “Cobbs Creek” from Re-Members Only gets revisited on the remix tip. It was over ten years ago that Pos and Trugoy clowned on the hip-house craze with “Kicked Out The House” from their De La Soul Is Dead album. Yet here they are straight rhyming dead center underneath the disco ball, beats simmering to a midtempo house resemblance. The roller skating jam strikes again. A number of less familiar cats make their presence felt on the mic, particularly Moses Gunn (“About Face”) and Will Brodie (“Apollo Creed”). Then there’s Britt’s long-time homie Capital A trying too hard to be hard on “Caught Out (There),” but I ain’t mad at him...especially since the rhyme flow and beat structure work so well. Still, he’s more at home on “Next Plateau,” throwing out his best lines for the ladies.

Soul sisters also represent for the lo-fi ride, most notably Ivani Sanitilli on “Superstar” and Sylk 130 collaborator Alma Horton (here as Lady Alma) on “Love’s Time.” The finest moments on this album are saved for spoken word artist Rich Medina. Shades of Gil Scott-Heron can be heard in his social commentary - both “Planetary Analysis” and “A Foreigner No Longer” are phenomenal. I could mention star appearances from Dice Raw (The Roots), Madlib as Quasimodo, Cherrywine featuring Butterfly of Dig Plans fame, but I think the point’s been made. Adventures In Lo-Fi continues the high standard within “The Beat Generation” series and for producer King Britt. Sometimes a soundtrack for head nodders, sometimes dance floor friendly, sometimes sounding like the Motherland on Mars. All hail the King.

{macedonia}