First things first, Scratch is not Rahzel. They both come from the HipHop group The Roots, they have both released solo albums, and they both have amazing vocal skills. But that’s where the similarity ends. Rahzel’s Make the Music 2000 takes his little explored rapping ability with his Beatboxing taking a backseat, while Scratch takes an entirely different route. Quite happy to play the role of producer he takes his incredible word warping and turntable imitation, fuses it with his original beats and adds a lethal dose of top names to rap over the top. If you are looking for a purer fusion of Beatboxing and rapping there probably isn’t a better place to visit than Scratch’s debut.

If by some crazy chance you haven’t heard of Scratch then the aptly named first track Start’n From Scratch tells you exactly what the deal is. From the out you are told that the vast majority of the music on this album is generated from the human mouth. Anyone wishing to improve vocal scratching techniques could do a lot worse in trying to imitate Scratch’s skills. For the most part Scratch is content to stay in the shadows intricately weaving his vocal snares, hi hats and bass sounds. This isn’t a Beatboxing album as such but more a compilation album where Beatboxing is the preferred method of production.

1. Start'n From Scratch
2. U Know The Rulez
3. That's What We Talkin' About
4. We Got What You Want
5. Lookin' 4 The Hot Sh**
6. Sumthin' That U Missin'
7. Com'n Alive
8. Exhibit One
9. U Don't Talk Much
10. Peoples Gettn' Rich
11. 3 Barstoolz Away
12. Breath Of Fresh Air
13. What Happ'n
14. The Morning After
15. Square One
16. World Iz
17. U Thought Wrong

The first ‘real’ track U Know The Rulez hits the formula square between the eyes, taking his fellow band mates from The Roots, Black Thought, Malik B, and the M.A.R.S. Co-op, to create a hard hitting, single worthy song. Something to listen out for on this track is Scratch’s inward hollow snare. Crisp, tight, perfectly executed and realistic. This is followed by That’s What We Talkin’ About with Dice Raw, Calente’ and E.S.T. spitting some rock sharp freestyles on the mic. It’s definitely more difficult to review this album as a Beatboxer due to the fact the production is so smooth. You forget you are listening to a human being, tending to listen to the music as a whole, or even focus on the lyrics. As opposed to listening to a ‘pure’ Beatbox album where you would maybe try and break apart the beats like a guitarist would to any guitar music. It’s only in the first 10-20 seconds of the tracks that you listen to the vocal beats on their own, then everything else enters the picture and your view is blurred. Subtle basslines mixing with perfect vocal scratching and word warping, with the excellent lyrics. In fact the more I listen to the album I’m finding it harder and harder to review it as a Beatboxer and easier and easier as a casual listener.

Moving on to the middle of the album we have a blinder of a track called Com’n Alive yet again featuring Malik B, Dice Raw and the M.A.R.S. co-op. Simple beats executed well go much further than something that is over complicated and confused. This track exemplifies how simple Scratch can make the whole game sound. Any budding producers listening to this should sit up and take note. Exhibit one gets your head moving instantly. Malik B lends his vocal talents to yet another sublime track with his voice echoing over the staccato beats.

Breath of Fresh Air. The title really does say it all. The trumpets, the mellow jazz guitar, ambient background beats, lead smoothly into What Happ’n. Floetry’s silky smooth voice and simple lyrical melody give a somewhat welcome relief to the harsh lyrics put forward by most male artists. Perhaps not given the recognition of MC’s, the addition of a Femcee on the album is refreshing.

The end of the album heads back towards Scratch water tight production techniques in collaboration with artists such as Bilal and the Schoolz of Thought. Square One has an air of RnB with finger tapping, head nodding vocals echoing Prince (or is that The Artist Formerly Known As Prince? I don’t think I actually care), and yet again the beats take a back seat in the whole affair. Blending in and almost disappearing amongst the overall picture. U Thought Wrong ends the show with the compulsory “hidden” track. Although the silence before the track is there the reward is just another track. I say ‘just’ even though it is as excellent as all the other tracks. And it rounds off the experience nicely.

To sum it all up, I would recommend the album to Beatboxers, MC’s, producers and the casual listener alike. It has something for everyone and everyone can gain something from it. The production is flawless, guests are well known and talented, beats are hot and crisp. Need I say more? Oh yes, enjoy!

Sources/references/links

Scratch myspace