TURNTABLE LAB

the lab review

New Mad Decent! Are you ready for this? Blaqstarr's style of Baltimore club is a little different from the gimmicky cut-and-paste joints that're dominating the Lab these days. I think Diplo called it "violent, futuristic soul music," and I can't say I disagree. Right off the bat, "Supastarr(1)" has gotta be one of the most unique club tracks I've heard, with Blaqstarr's one-of-a-kind vocals riding over an ever-evolving beat that's punctuated with gunshots and Lil Jon shouts. Speaking of gunshots, the beat to "Tote It(2)" is made almost completely out of them, but it really feels like more of an interlude/DJ tool here, leading into the absolutely killer "Shake It To The Ground(3)." Rye Rye absolutely murders the minimal beat from Blaqstarr – I've heard people compare her voice to the girl from "Chicken Noodle Soup," but Rye Rye makes Young B sound like John Brown (hallelujah, holla back). Flip this thing over and you're greeted by our personal sleeper pick from the EP, "Check Me Out Like(4)." You also get "Rockstarrz(5)" (with secret guest vocals – the group he used to be in rhymes with "Dru Hill"), the hypnotic and awesome "Automatic Lover(6)" and a Rye Rye acapella from "Shake It To The Ground." DJs, take note: this will throw a little spice into your stagnant Bmore set, and Blaqstarr's minimal arrangements are perfect for mixing. Highly recommended.

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red 02/15/2007

• lab recommended

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filed under

• baltimore - vinyl view category