Handsome Boy Modeling School, Prince Paul and Dan "the Automator" Nakamura

Editor's Review:

When it comes to instrumental hip-hop and hip-hop production, two of the most recognized names in the business, both over and underground, are Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and Prince Paul. These two-a West Coaster and East Coaster respectively-can claim production credits to more seminal hip-hop cuts than nearly anyone else, so it only seems natural that the talented and good-humored pair would eventually do something together. Welcome to the Handsome Boy Modeling School.

The centerpiece of the Handsome Boy Modeling School is its musical curriculum, So... How's Your Girl?, a collection of tunes that have Prince Paul and The Automator trademarks all over them. As Nathaniel Marriweather (Automator) and Chest Rockwell (Paul), this dynamic duo lays down tracks for a plethora of other artists and the end result is one of the strongest theme compilations to hit record store racks all year. Hieroglyphics' Del Tha Funky Homosapien weighs in twice-once with Dove of De La Soul-as does Father Guido Sarducci, who not only appears in one track, but closes the record reading ad spots for the school. Other tracks included Cibbo Matto's Miho Hatori and The Beastie Boys' Mike D ("Metaphysical"), DJ Shadow and DJ Quest ("Bear Witness II"), Kid Koala ("The Runaway Song"), and Atari Teenage Riot's Alec Empire and Company Flow's El P ("Megaton B-Bot 2000").

On top of all the cuts that include guests, the pair of producers construct instrumental numbers around samples that spell out the good and bad sides of the Handsome Boy Modeling School life, and employ musical aspects like Beethoven's 5^th Symphony and deep, rich layers of music and samples to create music that is equal parts Automator and Paul, and all genius. The Handsome Boy Modeling School-word up.

- Philip Bole
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Bookmark:

Record Label Tommy Boy Released April 2001

Tracks Rock N' Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This) Magnetizing Metaphysical Look At This Face (Oh My God They're Gorgeous) Waterworld Once Again (Here To Kick One For You) The Truth Holy Calamity (Bear Witness Il) Calling The Biz The Projects (PJays) Sunshine Modeling Sucks Torch Song Trilogy The Runway Song Megaton B-Boy 2000 Father Speaks

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