Mike Zoot "Untitled 2x12" (1997)
This monster (15 tracks, with instrumentals and clean versions) release by Mike Zoot piqued (and ultimately diminished) my interest in his music. This 2x12" followed "High Drama" and "Service" 12", and as far as I know, was a Japan release. Considering the dopeness that was the "High Drama" (and to a slightly lessor extent, "Service") 12", obtaining this record was my mission for a few months. I think I it was one of the first records I ordered from Sandbox Automatic, and I was sure it end up as one of the most treasured records in the crate. I mean, look at who Mike Zoot has on production: DJ Spinna, Showbiz, Shawn J. Period, Buckwild, Baby Paul, and ShaSelf. And the guest MC list: Royal Flush, Mos Def, and the Jigmastas.
My disappointment with this release lies with the beats Mike Zoot was thrown. Particularly Showbiz, Shawn J. Period and Buckwild. The original "High Drama" was so crucial, but Shawn J. Period's beat on "High Drama Pt. 3" sounded like a 3-year-old playing with a keyboard. Showbiz hooks up a minimalist beat with an bassline so average, it sounds like a cousin of Shawn J.'s beat.
Questionable efforts by some of the producers aside, there's some dope shit on this 12. Fans of DJ Spinna will probably dig "Scene", as it is mos definately vintage Spinna. Mike Zoot, to his credit, is consistent throughout the record(s), and "Scene" finds him in typical form: "...so you can keep it real, I keep it clever". Royal Flush turns in a solid guest verse on "Turn Pt. II", "Massive" is a dope 'story-of-my-life-and-crew' joint.
Includes the following cuts, with instrumentals for each:
"Scene", "The Unfrontin' Funk Su'in", "Turn Pt. II", "Live + Stink", "Bassickl'y", "Massive", and "High Drama Pt. III".
My disappointment with this release lies with the beats Mike Zoot was thrown. Particularly Showbiz, Shawn J. Period and Buckwild. The original "High Drama" was so crucial, but Shawn J. Period's beat on "High Drama Pt. 3" sounded like a 3-year-old playing with a keyboard. Showbiz hooks up a minimalist beat with an bassline so average, it sounds like a cousin of Shawn J.'s beat.
Questionable efforts by some of the producers aside, there's some dope shit on this 12. Fans of DJ Spinna will probably dig "Scene", as it is mos definately vintage Spinna. Mike Zoot, to his credit, is consistent throughout the record(s), and "Scene" finds him in typical form: "...so you can keep it real, I keep it clever". Royal Flush turns in a solid guest verse on "Turn Pt. II", "Massive" is a dope 'story-of-my-life-and-crew' joint.
Includes the following cuts, with instrumentals for each:
"Scene", "The Unfrontin' Funk Su'in", "Turn Pt. II", "Live + Stink", "Bassickl'y", "Massive", and "High Drama Pt. III".
posted by djespionage at 11:55 AM
3 Comments:
good question...he was on several indie compilation records/albums from the period (see discogs.com), but just seemed to disappear after a few years. sounds like a good research topic.
my disapointment was that if you already have the 12"s then this 2x12" has not a lot to offer (that was so true with the lace da boom double 12)
Mike Zoot was layin low for awhile, but he hasn't lost his touch...dude's been sharpening his craft ever since. show some love, and stay tuned, yawl...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Zoot/215920121783410?sk=wall
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