Pete Rock & CL Smooth: Mecca and The Soul Brother (1992). “Before The Shift…A Cultural Force”

podcast December 31, 1969

B. Cox & J. Owe look back on Pete Rock & CL Smooth's debut album Mecca and The Soul Brother as it turns 30. After jumping on the scene the previous year with their EP All Souled Out, the producer-emcee duo made their splash into the mainstream with an unforgettable debut. Powered by Rock's production which was a combination of smooth jazz, soul and funk records over snapping drums and vocal breaks over CL Smooth's smooth, yet witty bars, the album helped to close a chapter of transition in hip-hop with a soft landing.

Led by their iconic single "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)", a dedication to fallen comrade Troy Dixon of Heavy D & the Boyz aka "Trouble T-Roy", it was a largely successful album despite heavy bootlegging. Over the years, the album has been noted both as a foundational album for the "golden era" of hip-hop and one of best hip-hop albums of all-time. T.R.O.Y. remains in high regard and one the few songs in the discussion for best hip-hop songs of all-time.

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Show Notes

Albumism: Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "Mecca and The Soul Brother" Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective

https://albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-30-years-of-pete-rock-and-cl-smooth-mecca-and-the-soul-brother

PopThruster: Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "Mecca And The Soul Brother"

https://popthruster.com/2021/07/25/pete-rock-c-l-smooth-mecca-and-the-soul-brother-985-of-best-1000-albums-ever/

Medium: BackSpin: Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Mecca and The Soul Brother (1992)"

https://medium.com/@mediamaven0103/backspin-pete-rock-c-l-smooth-mecca-and-the-soul-brother-1992-384bed51f5a9

Foxy 99: "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" is still relevant at 30.