Alphabet Stew, “Iocane,” Mentil Soup (Self-Released)
It’s officially East Coast week here on LocalCut. Well, maybe not, but after last Friday—when 30 PDX bands descended on the Big Apple for a whole day of Knitting Factory love—it’s hard to downplay the affect our (comparatively) little city has on the mecca of all things Hype. And while Boy Eats Drum Machine, Starfucker, and Helio Sequence held their own among the CMJ masses, it’s another touchstone—dusty, vintage NYC hip-hop—that seeps into “Iocane,” the standout track on Alphabet Stew’s Mentil Soup.
A Rose City collective composed of rapper Al-One (Sandpeople), producer Andy B. and two DJs (Sandpeople turntable maestro DJ Sparks and DJ Wels of Style Molesters), Alphabet Stew’s sound is infused with references, samples, and a distinctly East Coast feel; even tracks that name-drop local landmarks still carry the swagger of a scene over 3000 miles away. “Iocane” rides on a stuttering beat and warm organ, and it’s the just the type of backing track that allows Al-One to shine. His verses are simple yet utterly effective, with solid end rhymes and clever turns-of-phrase: “See these snakes try to weasle through/ they want to have all of the cake and eat it too/ and if we split it’ll break into an even two/ but what we got we they will try to take from me and you.”
Mostly, though, “Iocane” qualifies as a banger because it makes the local sound classic. When they sample one of the money quotes from The Princess Bride (Vizzini: “Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristole, Socrates?” Westley: “Yes.” Vizzini: “Morons!”), you can’t help but laugh. But sampling A Tribe Called Quest and mid-’90s Busta? Worth more than a few head nods.
Download audio file (Iocane.mp3)
Links:
Alphabet StewSpace
Photo courtesy of Alphabet Stew
DJ SPARK
says:You know how we Stew it!
ALBUM RELEASE PARTY @ HAWTHORNE THEATER aka “ZOMBIE PROM” THIS FRIDAY!
HALLOWEEN
Join Sparkers Stew Crew..
First 48 to Rep the Stew win a free “MiniVan Halen”!
http://www.myspace.com/sparkerlewis
Posted @ October 29th, 2008 at 2:47 pm (October 29th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkDJ Spark
says:Tonight!! (As seen in the Portland Mercury)
ZOMBIE PROM: ALPHABET STEW, GRAY MATTERS, THRILLA
(Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE 39th) The scariest thing I can conceive of happening this Halloween is for Alphabet Stew’s CD release party to be lost in the mix. The emcee duo of Al-One (Sandpeople) and Andy B—plus DJs Wels and Spark—have recorded one of the best albums to come out of Portland in ages, Mentil Soup. The disc is a funky, funny, offbeat, and technically astounding piece of work—the kind of lighthearted, but still really real (for real) hiphop that is seldom seen this side of the 21st century. So on this big night, do yourself a favor: Cut out of the costume party early and get to this show. There will be candy, there will be rappers, but there will be no candy rappers.
-GRAHAM BAREY
Posted @ October 31st, 2008 at 1:14 am (October 29th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkZebulon Dak
says:That “snakes try to weasel through” line was Andy B, not Al-One. In fact, in case you hadn’t had a chance to research, Al and Andy split the rapping duties almost exactly down the middle.
Posted @ November 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm (October 29th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkDJ Nykon
says:WHATUPTHO!!?
Posted @ November 5th, 2008 at 9:41 am (October 29th, 2008) | Flag this Comment | permalinkI Hope im in line for the first 12” from this record…. it’s too banging not to get one every song is ill good work ya’ll….