YoYoYoYoYo

Spank Rock appear to revel in contradictions. Rapper Naeem Juwan and production phenom XXXChange (Alex Epton) are an American group who record for the British flag-waving label Big Dada, they're practically the only underground rap group to talk about sex often (and explicitly), and their tracks accept the limitations of old-school rap and bass music, but boast an agility that makes them sound positively post-millennial. Sex is all over this record, appearing on nearly every track, from the "ass-shaking competition champ" in "Back Yard Betty" to the 50 Cent-style partying going on during "Coke & Wet." Virtually every track -- notable exception: "Rick Rubin" -- either references or focuses in on what you learn in anatomy and apply in life. Juwan may sound like a juvenile Q-Tip (minus the abstract rapping), but he's one of the brightest young American talents of the mid-2000s, using his voice in delightful ways (some helped along by post-production). Meanwhile, on the production end, XXXChange concocts a series of deep bass hits, digital claps, and the occasional cougar scream to recall the type of stark, echoing productions and drum programming rarely heard since the mid-'80s. It's all performed so perfectly, and informed so well by Juwan's lyrical finesse, that the vintage feel never seems like a crutch. Best of all is "Bump," where first Juwan takes a few minutes for a speed rap, then guest Amanda Blank enters halfway through, initially giving one of her stiffest Roxanne Shante impressions but, in a heartbeat, shifting into a higher gear like a sports car blowing away the competition. ~ John Bush|

ビッグ・ダダから何だかヤバ～いのが登場です!　地下世界で話題が沸騰しているスパンク・ロックのファースト・アルバムは、2006年を代表する一枚となることはもちろん、ヒップホップに変革をもたらした作品として歴史に名を刻むであろう珍品にして傑作!　ディプロとの共演やM.I.A.とのツアーなんて情報も霞むほど、ダーティーでイノヴェイティヴなビートが飛び交い、鼻にかかったユニークなMC（ややQ・ティップ似）が畳み掛けるように乗っかってくる!　ヒップホップと言い切るにはあまりにも特異なそのビートは、クランク、マイアミ・ベース、ダンスホール・レゲエ、バイリ・ファンキなどを主成分にしている様子!　それだけでも衝撃的なのに、どことなくポップなアレンジが効いていて、〈奇妙なのにキャッチー〉という難題をいとも簡単に両立している奇跡的な内容なのです。タイトルも強烈だし、とんでもないことになりそうな予感!!
bounce (C)青木 正之