New Twist, winning combination

By Wes Woods, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, November 4, 1998

With more guests than a soundtrack compilation, Mack 10's new album, "The Recipe," cannot really be called a solo venture.

All of the guests add to the Inglewood native's rugged, street-flow- resulting in an overall fine effort.

Even with the somewhat average start of "The Recipe," with Boo Kapone, Techniec, Binky and CJ Mac, all current signees to Mack 10's label Hoo Bangin', the album does not fail. Foxy Brown and Jermaine Dupri's composition, "You Ain't Seen Nothin'," brings the project back in focus with its quirky, replayed-sample keyboard.

"Made N*****," with Master P and Mystikal, uses an impressive slow and bubbling bassline. "Get Yo Ride On," with its infectious Zapp-inspired keyboard and bouncy bass, bumps along with the help of Eazy-E, who puts in an inspired effort, and a rejuvenated MC Eiht who suggests "you be discreet or catch the hot heat from across the street."

The rest of "The Recipe's" songs and guests, for the most part, equally impress.

"LBC And The ING," with Snoop Dogg, uses a dreamy, dance-track sample while Mack and Snoop provide Long Beach and Inglewood street knowledge, respectively.

The catchy horn loop of "Let The Games Begin" with Big Punisher and Fat Joe is another choice selection, with all three spitting their individual street-game over the track.

When Mack goes solo, the results are just as impressive. The touching single about coming up, "Money's Just A Touch Away" with Gerald Levert, and "The Letter," his berating of rappers who become successful from gangsta rap and then dismiss it, both shine.

Despite Mack creating impressive narratives with these two songs, his guests generally overshadow him. It is never by much, but Mack usually sounds a little less focused than his affiliates.

"I'm psycho like Norman Bates and depressed out of my mindin',' While I think about commitin' redrums like the Shinin' ... ," he implores with empty passion on "Ghetto Horror Show" with the better sounding Jayo Felony and Ice Cube.

His flow will also generally change to accommodate the beat, which does not always work.

Luckily, the other artists more than pick up the slack.

While "The Recipe" mainly consists of well-worn tales of sex, drugs and violence, its production and new twists to the subject matter make it a winner.