That Crazy Cat Dash
The Jumpoff mp3.com - 2001 Beats: 3.5 Rhymes: 4 Originality: 3.5  
An up - and - coming emcee/producer from the Bronx, That Crazy Cat
Dash first caught my attention two years ago when I heard a ridiculously tight track of his, "Infinite Rhymes," floating around on the internet. The joint in question was later featured on the compilation Listen Picks: Hip-Hop (good luck finding that though). Several of his tunes are posted on various online spots, and last year he released two full-length CDs through MP3.com. The Jumpoff dropped in December, a ten-song disc flaunting his smoothed out flow, slick rhymes, and funk-heavy production tactics.
The appropriately-titled "Bumpin'" gets things started right, with a bloated bassline and thick boom-baps that practically jump out the speaker. Another hit-in-the-making is "Good Song," full of mellow, jazzed-out beats, and some crazy filtered background humming. The ladies get addressed on a few selections, including the pseudo-harpsichord fuelled "Wearin' Me Out New Style," and the super-catchy, Dirty Dirty style "Hos In The Club," complete with chanted chorus. Also dope is "Too Smooth," which flexes a thick slap-bass line and some hot bragging rhymes. Lyrically, Dash is mostly about big upping his skills, |
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discussing the females, and just having fun. But more important than the actual words is his flow, which is undeniably nice, a smooth rolling baritone that comes off sort of like Count Bass-D or even a mellower Rakim. He also produces 8 out of the 10 tracks, employing a laid-back steez blending heady funk, casual jazziness, and quirky keyboards.
Though the internet has admittedly helped a lot of weak rappers get heard, Dash is not one of them. His amicable rhyme style and melodic instrumentals are easy to dig, and he has an abundance of charisma - something sorely lacking in much of today's indie hip-hop. Check him out on mp3.com. - Brolin Winning |