Pete Rock & CL Smooth: Mecca and The Soul Brother (1992). "Before The Shift...A Cultural Force"

<p>B. Cox &amp; J. Owe look back on <strong>Pete Rock &amp; CL Smooth</strong>&#39;s debut album <em>Mecca and The Soul Brother</em> as it turns 30. After jumping on the scene the previous year with their EP <em>All Souled Out</em>, the producer-emcee duo made their splash into the mainstream with an unforgettable debut. Powered by Rock&#39;s production which was a combination of smooth jazz, soul and funk records over snapping drums and vocal breaks over CL Smooth&#39;s smooth, yet witty bars, the album helped to close a chapter of transition in hip-hop with a soft landing.</p><p>Led by their iconic single &#34;They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)&#34;, a dedication to fallen comrade <strong>Troy Dixon </strong>of Heavy D &amp; the Boyz aka &#34;Trouble T-Roy&#34;, it was a largely successful album despite heavy bootlegging. Over the years, the album has been noted both as a foundational album for the &#34;golden era&#34; of hip-hop and one of best hip-hop albums of all-time. T.R.O.Y. remains in high regard and one the few songs in the discussion for best hip-hop songs of all-time.</p><p><strong><u>Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online</u></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.vaultclassicpod.com/" rel="nofollow">www.vaultclassicpod.com</a></p><p><strong><u>Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee</u></strong></p><p><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod" rel="nofollow">https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong><u>Show Notes</u></strong></p><p><strong>Albumism: Pete Rock &amp; CL Smooth&#39;s &#34;Mecca and The Soul Brother&#34; Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective</strong></p><p><a href="https://albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-30-years-of-pete-rock-and-cl-smooth-mecca-and-the-soul-brother" rel="nofollow">https://albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-30-years-of-pete-rock-and-cl-smooth-mecca-and-the-soul-brother</a></p><p><strong>PopThruster: Pete Rock &amp; CL Smooth&#39;s &#34;Mecca And The Soul Brother&#34; </strong></p><p><a href=