Posted on 05/15/2009
Contemporary electronic heavyweights are a combustible commodity in today's market. Of course, the landscape of left-field electronic grazes many areas and dips into a variety of cultural sources - some hit or miss, for sure. But when Brazilian beat mogul Amon Tobin takes his plunge into the realm of hip-hop, you best listen up. Teaming up with UK jungle producer Joe "Doubleclick" Chapman and a triad of dope rappers, Two Fingers is five-pronged and grimey.

Sway, who's now signed to to Akon's Konvict label, joins the fray on seven of twelve tracks. "Straw Men" is laced with quick-staggering verbiage and signature Amon Tobin drum stylings - the sort with a variety of distinct percussive samples sequenced to perfection – which pull together for a great opener. The production values are fairly consistent throughout the album: crunchy, distorted low-end bass, a barrage of instrumental samples and not an overbearing beat. Sway hits his best strides in "Whatuknowabout" and "Not Perfect," partially due to the fact both contain deliciously catchy hooks and superbly uncluttered beats. Lyrically speaking, his verse on "Jewels & Gems" is the most present, as he spits off a poetic social riff on age-old money with renewed vigor.

Besides a few forgettable Sway tracks, the remainder of the LP features two tracks by Missy protege Ms. Jade, a track with dancehall artist Ce'Cile and two stand-alone riddims. Ms. Jade's "Better Get That" is a shimmering gem of a track, assaulting listeners with style, grace and sheer attitude. Her second track, "Doing My Job," is equally suitable, her near-distant whisper rap-style blending into the urban beat landscapes like spray-paint on dirty wall. Ce'Cile's effort is very much a ragga-influenced jam and stands out among the predominantly hip-hop flow of the release. The two instrumental kickers bang steadily on their own; there is no doubt that the production quality on this record is top notch.

Hip-hop audiences can easily embrace this album. In fact, so many different stylistic components are employed here that any listener will pick up on the dub, drum and bass, jungle and breakbeat influences. But, as much as I personally worship the guy, Amon Tobin didn't make a classic one here. Two Fingers is a project, an experiment, and like any experiment, it has its inconsistencies. Times and places during the record you may feel slightly incomplete, but sooner or later the beat will bump, the bass will kick in and you'll be nodding your head again.

- Daniel Hirshorn