Prefuse 73

Editor's Review:

Scott Herren, the brain behind Prefuse 73, developed a name for himself exploring music that doesn't necessarily go along with the sounds contained on Vocal Studies & Uprock Narratives, a full complement of instrumental hip-hop and trip-hop tunes with a decidedly downtempo vibe. Herren's previous work was largely categorized as acid jazz, an electro-organic mixture of elements of house and jazz. Prefuse 73, however, finds Herren breaking more interesting ground.
It has been said that this isn't an entirely innovative release, and that may be the case. The instrumental hip-hop benchmark has been set by albums like DJ Shadow's …Endtroducing and DJ Krush's Meiso, so Vocal Studies & Uprock Narratives may not blow out new boundaries or leave people with their jaws on the floor. That is not to say, however, that this isn't some of the most intriguing instrumental hip-hop and trip-hop to come out in the new millennium, and guest spots by vocalists like the mighty, mighty Aesop Rock really set this album apart from the pack.
The percussive foundations of these tunes are often scratchy and rough, but purposefully so. The gritty vibe brings a soulful backbone to the music, and (perhaps house-influenced) additional beat augmentations — weird tweaks and other electronic blips — really create a vibe so thick, it's almost tangible. Ethereal keyboard strokes, washes of sonic fog and unique and interesting breakdowns featuring scratches and subtle changes in melody and rhythm mark the depth and breadth of this music, and allude to the care, thought and inspiration that went into it.
– Max Sidman
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Record Label Warp Records Released August 2001

Tracks Radio Attack Nuno Life/Death (with Mikah 9) Smile In Your Face Point To B Five Minutes Away Living Life (with Rec Eenter) Eve Of Dextruct Last Light (with Sam Prekop) Cliche Intro Back In Time Hot Winter's Day Blacklist (with MF Doom & Aesop Rock) Untitled Afternoon Love-In 7th Message

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