Posted on 10/22/2008
If you were unsure how you felt about the Mark Ronson-ization of hip-hop, the showcase organized for his Allido Records for CMJ last night at S.O.B.’s would have been a polarizing moment. With a part-Brit, part-American lineup that overwhelmingly leaned toward hip-hop and soul, you had the perfect opportunity to see several facets of the Winehouse tastemaker’s musical preferences and what will undoubtedly be mimicked throughout the rest of urban music for the next year or so. Rhymefest, The Rumble Strips and Daniel Merriweather hit the stage before making way for the headliner of the evening, Washington D.C.’s boy wonder, Wale.

After battling the line outside for the sold-out show, I was shocked to see Rhymefest concluding his set to warm applause as many of us were just getting through the door (but see below for a video of his performance). The Rumble Strips initially had a rough go of it, being the only pure rock ‘n’ rollers performing before the hip-hop leaning crowd. Yet, they had the boldest, most energetic set of the night. From finger-snapping Beatles pop to more brooding, yet extremely catchy ballads, the band was all over the place in style, but consistently delivered top-notch melodies. Just about every member of the band played double duty on instruments - the bassist was also the saxophonist, the trumpeter tickled the ivories and the guitarist doubled as tambourine man. Their lead singer is reminiscent of Adam Levine, but less whiny and more adventurous with his vocals. They also delivered one of the better Winehouse covers, a version of “Back to Black” that manages to be even more sinewy than the original, then turns the corner to a rousing, drum-driven upbeat jam.

The jury’s still out on Daniel Merriweather. He has a smooth, soulful sound, more bounce than Robin Thicke and less cheese than Jason Mraz, but he still doesn’t move enough to threaten Ne-Yo or Usher. With a mixed bag of musicians from The Dap Kings, Antibalas and Budos Band accompanying him, he should’ve easily out-classed those who performed before and after him. Instead, the band was hardly noticeable and before each faction’s commanding presence could be fairly represented, the mini-set was over.

The promised ten minute lag between sets was more like forty and with an introduction by DJ Green Lantern, Wale, accompanied by go-go kings, UCB, jumped right into “Breakdown” from his 100 Miles and Running mixtape. He did a nice jazzy spin on his verse from “Rising Down” and told the crowd several times that if they liked The Roots, they’d like UCB. The similarities were evident. UCB’s rich sound was, of course, amplified by the go-go rhythm maintained throughout by the intense conga playing of Slump, who did an extended solo that sent the crowd in an uproar. D.C. comrade Tabi Bonney took over the stage for “Bonified” going into “Back in the Go-Go.” The crowd did seem unusually still for someone performing as solidly as Wale, but talking with folks afterward, it seems I wasn’t the only one who felt overwhelmed, and irritated, by the crappy sound system. It’s hard to absorb the awesomeness of a show when you’re busy searching for cotton to stuff in your ears. But Wale didn’t seem terribly distracted and before bringing Tawiah onstage for their “All I Need” cover, he got the crowd amped with “Nike Boots.” All in all, the Allido showcase was a pleasant surprise of quality, underappreciated artists who represented the true ‘you never know what you’re going to get’ spirit of CMJ.

- Candace L.


Check out Mel D. Cole's photos from the night, below.

Wale, Daniel Merriweather, Rhymefest, The Rumblestrips and Mark Ronson @ SOBs, NYC, 10.21.08.



Also, watch Wale's set from the night, followed by Rhymefest's performance with Rahzel.  Thanks to Miss Info for these.