J WELLS & KURUPT - Digital Smoke | Review By: Conan Milne


Release Date : June 5 2007

Label : Bonzi Records

Rating: 4/5

Dub Quotable: Digital Smoke is a great effort with some stellar production from Wells. His brooding, paranormal instrumentals pave the way for some fantastic moments, just as they have on previous releases like Digital Master

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Don’t get mad – get even. After recently venting his reservations about cynical fans on this very site, Kurupt is taking the high road. The beloved MC is now silencing fickle supporters the best way possible: with undeniably good music. Linking with rising producer J Wells, the duo deliver Digital Smoke, potentially Young Gotti’s best work since the similarly themed Space Boogie: Smoke Odyssey.

The albums kicks off proper with the melodic “All We Smoke.” Over fast-paced, vibrating string jabs and a prodding drum pattern, the duo pledge allegiance to the West Coast. “Went from a 6-4 Chevy to that Delorean,” smirks the DPG over J.Wells squishy funk. To round off this rousing cut J Wells gives shout outs to his upcoming Western peers like G. Malone and Bishop Lamont, as well as some respected veterans like DJ Quik and Battlecat. This admirable West Coast unity, coupled with the velvet croon of the chorus, makes “All We Smoke” a fine starting point.

Kokane’s raspy wail dominates Wells’ warped, tiptoeing sounds on “I Came In The Door.” Here, Mr. Kane, and Kurupt make it abundantly clear that they’ve fought for their respective positions in the music business and that they’re not prepared to step aside anytime soon. “You’ve got a fucked up aura,” spews Kurupt menacingly, as a cooing Kokane harmonizes. Eventually, ‘Kane is coerced into serving up similar tough talk. “You gon’ fuck around and get your whole wig split,” he sings in his trademark, pained fashion.

Generally, Digital Smoke is a great effort with some stellar production from Wells. His brooding, paranormal instrumentals pave the way for some fantastic moments, just as they have on previous releases like Digital Master. Unfortunately, glance beyond the hazy clouds portrayed on wax and a few drawbacks drift into view. With Wells’ backdrops helping Kurupt sound more authoritative on the microphone than he has in some time, the vast amount of guests on this project is both ridiculous and unnecessary. The end result is an impressive (albeit crowded) record that sounds more like a compilation than the collaborative effort anticipated. Still, even if Kurupt doesn’t get the mic all to himself, he does enough with his studio time and Wells’ production talents to prove that “Cyanide Sinatra" is alive and well.
 

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