Posted on 07/28/2009
DJ Spinna’s Sonic Smash summons the golden era while managing to remain ahead of its time. This ability to balance nostalgia with futurism has defined Spinna’s sound for years. Seldom, however, has he utilized this knack as triumphantly as now. Sonic Smash unfolds like a proclamation, a trumpet blow to alert the citizens of hip-hop that they are no longer subject to a tyranny of bullshit. And this message is certainly not conveyed through the beats alone. The emcees featured on this project—a who’s who of underrated East-coasters, past and present—echo this proclamation throughout its 14 tracks.

Look no further than the mighty “Lyrics is Back,” on which Torae’s delivery and wordplay are “off of their rocker, like when my grandmother goes to the doctor.” A bona fide anthem, this track contains more quotables than all of 2005. Speaking of lyrics, “Colors Pt. 2” is a must for anyone who missed the original version on Elzhi’s The Preface. Gimmick-songs are hard to pull off, but the king of Detroit beats the odds once again. I was hoping for something new from El instead of a mere remix, but I’ll take it. Then again, considering Homeboy Sandman’s delivery on “Get on Down,” maybe it was wise that Elzhi didn’t waste his time. Seriously, if Sandman isn’t the most creative emcee in the game right now, please enlighten me. Alongside AOK Collective brethren P.So (known as P.Casso when he dropped 2008’s excellent For Your Consideration) and Fresh Daily, Homeboy Sandman demolishes Spinna’s horn driven instrumental with the sharpest flow on the project. That’s really saying something considering vets like Breeze Brewing and Phonte came through with typically impressive performances. Other guests include Sputnik Brown, Señor Kaos, and a few other up and comers. Longtime fans will be pleased to see Spinna dusts off the Jigmastas moniker, as he teams up with MC Kriminul on “New York.” Likewise, appearances from Shabaam Sahdeeq and Tiye Phoenix should satisfy fans of the Polyrhythm Addicts.

Not every track is essential to your collection, but on each one Spinna and his guests fight to keep skills and authenticity at the forefront of hip-hop. Who better than Spinna to lead such an attack? Not only is he, as the intro itself will tell you: “one of the most consistent individuals in this whole game,” but DJ Spinna also remains one of the game’s most consistently under-recognized. The last 15 years prove he is one of New York’s premier producers, yet the acclaim given to some of his contemporaries still eludes him. I blame this on the fact that his sound is not as instantly identifiable as said producers. So be it; the astute ear knows that his sound has influenced the very sonics of hip-hop. Even before his music first made it to wax in ‘94, Spinna was putting in major work. Behind the tables at SUNY Binghamton’s WHRW, he paved the way for many artists, not to mention other influential DJs like CPP Marketing’s Dan Shores and his widely followed Live & Direct show. It’s unfortunate then, that after all these years, a college station is still your only real chance of catching DJ Spinna on the radio. Fortunately, Sonic Smash suggests that the future looks promising.

- M. Steve Hammer