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Doom - Unexpected Guests Album Review
5th Oct 2009
Now that's what I call real Hip Hop! Unexpected Guests is the new mix CD from DOOM aka MF Doom aka Viktor
Vaughn aka Zev Love X. For those who have never heard of DOOM, he is
one of the most important players in the underground hip hop scene
since the formation of his original group KMD. This album sees Doom
selecting tracks from from his back catalogue, choosing the best guest
appearances, non-album tracks, remixes and vinyl only singles. Big name
appearances from hip hop heavyweights like De La Soul, Talib Kweli, J
Dilla, Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox and Wu Tang's Ghostface, Masta Killa,
Deck and GZA let's you know that you're in for a treat.
The
album opens with one of the better known MF Doom appearances, De La
Soul's "Rock Co. Kane Flow" then on to a more recent track "Get 'Er
Done" from his work with Seattle producer Jake One off the highly rated
"White Van Music" LP. We also see rare track "Sniper Elite" a track
recorded with J Dilla and Ghostface. The release of this track was
postponed after J Dilla's death in 2006 but now after its recent
release on Stones Throw you can also catch it on this mix.
Also
featured on the album is John Robinson's "Sorcerers" giving fans a
taste of the "Who Is This Man?" LP (which dropped last year for those
who were sleeping!) "Da Supafriendz", a track from Vast Aire's "Look
Mom.. No Hands" album gets the head nodding with a loop that sounds
like it came straight from a Charlie Brown cartoon. "All Outta Ale"
(the b-side to the 2002's 12 inch release of "My Favourite Ladies")
sees DOOM rapping over a looping dark piano beat.
The album continues
to impress towards the end with an all out DOOM and Wu Tang Clan free
for all, Masta Killa's "E.N.Y. House" with it's big horns and strings
complimenting both MC's, followed by the rolling drums and superhero
cartoon samples of "Bells of DOOM". The album finishes with DOOM's
remix of Masta Killa's "Street Corner" featuring Inspectah Deck and
GZA, a slow, hypnotic beat providing a perfect end to the mix...
..."It's
me and you son, forever in the struggle. No doubt, we hustle, survival
is the motto. Will you soon follow, for a better tomorrow?"...
I
hope we see more volumes of Unexpected Guests in the future while we
wait for his future studio albums, I'd definitely recommend this album
to all MF Doom fans, and those hip hop fans who've yet to check out
this living legend.
5/5
Martin Sundholm
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