B. Cox & J. Owe look back on *Pete Rock & CL Smooth* 's debut album Mecca and The Soul Brother as it turns 30. After jumping on the scene the previous year with their EP All Souled Out , the producer-emcee duo made their splash into the mainstream with an unforgettable debut. Powered by Rock's production which was a combination of smooth jazz, soul and funk records over snapping drums and vocal breaks over CL Smooth's smooth, yet witty bars, the album helped to close a chapter of transition in hip-hop with a soft landing.
Led by their iconic single "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)", a dedication to fallen comrade *Troy Dixon* of Heavy D & the Boyz aka "Trouble T-Roy", it was a largely successful album despite heavy bootlegging. Over the years, the album has been noted both as a foundational album for the "golden era" 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.
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*Show Notes*
*Albumism: Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "Mecca and The Soul Brother" Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective*
*PopThruster: Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "Mecca And The Soul Brother"*
*Medium: BackSpin: Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Mecca and The Soul Brother (1992)"*
*Foxy 99: "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" is still relevant at 30.*
https://foxy99.com/2022/06/09/they-reminisce-over-you-t-r-o-y-is-still-relevant-at-30/