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My first experience hearing Mystikal was sometime around 1995,
when a friend of mine in the military was playing a tape and
dancing his little behind off to it. I couldn’t figure out who
this emcee was - hollerin so much on the track – and I was
even more bewildered by my friend, who was so excited he kept
rewinding the tape again and again. Having been a fan of Miami
bass music since the early days of the 2Live Crew, at that
moment I felt like I had been missing out on something
special. My friend went on to tell me how Mystikal was THE
biggest thing in Louisiana, and how I needed to get with the
program quick, fast & in a hurry. Suffice to say, Mystikal was
holding it down in the South before most of us even knew we
wanted to shake our asses like that.
Over the past few years Mystikal has made his way from
underground club king, to lyrical cameo killer, to searing
sexy superstar. You’d think that age 31 he would be losing
some of that fire, but instead Mystikal brings more heat than
a little bit going in to the New Year. You can hear the call a
mile away – “The braided-up pimp is back!” Please believe it.
This new album boasts some high-profile production, but it is
the sheer dominance of Mystikal’s vocals that makes Tarantula
work, twerk, and bounce. Scott Storch, best known for his
affiliation with the Roots, produced both the title track on
the album and the rather choppy “Alright”. “Tarantula” gives
Mystikal the opportunity to define his style over Storch’s
rugged, passionate beat - and Butch Cassidy pipes in with a
raunchy little chorus that all nasty minds should appreciate.
Juvenile teams up with Mystikal on the forgettable track
“Settle The Score” to rant about the misgivings over record
deals gone awry. Not to say that the song doesn’t fit the
album, but it is not exactly the quickest dog in the race for
a standout cut. Vinnie Biggs and Ward Corbett produced the
catchy “If It Ain’t Live, It Ain’t Me” – sure to make you
smile. Mystikal makes no bones about letting you know that he
is not going anywhere.
Rockwilder, DJ Twinz, Redman and Method Man partner up with
Mystikal on “I Get It Started”, a (insert cliché) hot club
banger (end insertion) with solid energy. Rockwilder
production on “Oooooh Yeah” makes one wonder what money could
have been saved to give more time on this album to KLC of the
Medicine Men. Again, not that it’s a bad song, but there is so
much power in the tracks that KLC produced that this one seems
trite.
KLC of The Medicine Men. Remember that. First and foremost,
his production on the plucky “Big Truck Driver” is immaculate.
The song sounds so damn good in my speakers that they stood up
and gave me a kiss before the first spin. “Pussy Crook” is a
saucy serenade to the love of Mystikal’s life – his penis.
It’s this type of song that makes for some naughty fun in the
club, so don’t be so uptight – aight? KLC goes for a
three-peat on the swirling “Paper Stack”, but guest lyricists
Shonnie, Beezy Boy & Dart slow the song down a bit. Cats might
sound great on their own albums, but not everyone can match
the Mystikal one on the mic. In the fourth down, KLC works
with DJ Ron on “The Return” - and KLC blasts out one more hit
with that old school bounce flavor for Mystikal with the
tenacious “That’s That Shit”. Odell, also of the Medicine Men,
produces the subtler “Smoke One” – allowing Mystikal almost
two full minutes to light one up before kicking a single verse
in the song. Smooooooth.
The Neptunes radiate on the first single from the album
“Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin Me Against The Wall)”. Their
incorporation of a feisty ragtime horn section and thumping
bassline ensured that this would be a radio-friendly
presentation for Mystikal. The Neptunes’ Pharell Williams on
the hook for “Go ‘Head” is so catchy it inspires James Brown
footwork and shoulder shimmying.
The chemistry between KLC’s production and Mystikal’s vocals
is natural and vibey, and it makes this album worth the
purchase. Although it is pretty standard these days to
infiltrate cd’s with guest emcees, Mystikal doesn’t need
anyone to carry him. He’s a lyrical trooper who has no problem
walking on his own two. Or is that eight? Either way, let the
tremendous tarantula Mystikal tickle your fancy.
Dove
~Sheepish Lordess of Chaos~
For more on Mystikal, check out: www.mystikalonline.com and
www.jiverecords.com
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