Posted on 11/30/2006

 

In a market that has become inundated with mixtape releases in more recent times, it would be easy for the Plug Famalam Mixtape to get lost in the mix (no pun intended). But like so many other gems hidden in the troves of life, this is one album that is guaranteed to reward those who give it some of their attention, for Kero One the DJ has put together a solidly engaging foray (using only vinyl pressings) into hip hop’s jazzier dreamlike territory. Many of us remember painstakingly making our own mixes in the days of our youth, some of us even recording said music onto actual tape (!), and the same people will tell you that there are some key requirements for any decent mixtape. First off, a good mix needs to be seamless, to flow from one track to another while preserving a cohesive vibe. Kero One has this on lock, as the bulk of Plug Famalam comfortably finds its roots in jazzy basslines, light keys, and dope rhymes. Heads won’t be able to help but grin as Kero segues from Grand Puba’s vibes-heavy “I Like It” to a song of the same name by Odarama Dreams, a bossa nova laced with horns and falsetto vocals. From there, we’re treated to Jay Dee’s “Ritmo Bossa Nova,” a side of the G.O.A.T. producer that many may not be familiar with. I could easily detail the similarly flawless path of the rest of the 20 tracks, but I’ve got limited space here, so let’s move on…

Another one of those mixtape essentials is to literally have a good mix- surefire familiar tracks to pull the listener in, sitting side by side with more exclusive rarities. Kero One is no slouch in this department, either; tracks by Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Slum Village, the Procussions, Kev Brown, and Talib Kweli are some of the highlights on this musical journey through hip hop and soul. Kero One even laces Erykah Badu’s “On and On” with his own funky yet subdued remix with a bluesy guitar noodling over bubbly synths and a soulful clap-heavy beat.

A good mixtape is the perfect accompaniment to any given scenario, whether it’s driving in your car on a sunny afternoon or relaxing inside on a rainy day. Kero One’s Plug Famalam Mixtape has earned its way into my heavy rotation, and deserves a spot in any heads’ collection as well.