The notorious yet mysterious Red Rack ‘Em is back, picking up where the fourth in the Smugglers Inn series, which featured Ludacris, Missy Elliot and Ty, re-rubs left off.
This time around, opening track ‘Is it Alright?’ features vocals from ‘It’s Alright’ by Lena featuring Gangstarr which are mixed with a slightly syncopated, squelchy beat and some synthy stabs. The whole thing is awkward and somewhat artificial sounding but intentionally so. Wonky it most certainly is, but now that the Unabombers have lit the touch paper with radio support for the track, this banger is going to blow on a dancefloor near you soon.
Next up, ‘NG Shit’ borrows Busta Rhymes’ ‘New York Shit’ adding a jazzy foundation for the rapper’s trademark shouty lyrical delivery. The result is a confusing but listenable mix of latin flavoured jazz tinkling and woodwind melody with the hip hop sensibilities of Busta Rhymes, who at one point calls a roll call of his influences. Both wonderful and weird in equal measure.
Completing the release is bobby dazzler ‘NG Bitch’ which again calls upon Busta Rhymes with a spaced-out, reasonably down-tempo version of ‘I Love My Bitch.’ There are no samples here and the original, trip-hoppy bassline works a treat with Busta Rhymes and the female vocalist who features in the refrains and chorus. It’s very much more bar than club fodder, but an aural delight all the same.
Listen to all of the tracks on the new tracks at Red Rack ‘Em’s MySpace page: www.myspace.com/redrackem
