J-Rocc:Some Cold Rock Stuf

Tags: Hip Hop, Indie, j rocc, Rap, some cold rock stuff, Underground

7.5/10 dropps

It’s strange to think that funky groove hip-hop dj pioneer and original member of the Beat Junkies; J-Rocc has been around since 1992 and only released his first true debut record this year. After nearly 20 years of creating a name for himself in California and later around the world the crate-digging veteran gives us an all over the place, not dj, not hip-hop, not bad album; Some Cold Rock Stuf.
At first any J-Rocc fan would expect an upbeat b-boy dream album, with some classic soul samples and good breaks. With Some Cold Rock Stuf, there is very little of that. It’s not slow enough to be considered downtempo, and it’s not weird enough to be considered noir-like, it’s relaxing at times, and fast paced at others. J-Rocc gives us everything he’s into on this album, truly highlighting the obscure sounds that take over his talented brain.

The album gets going with “Rocchead’s Delight” which seems exactly like a dj record would begin, throwing together many recognizable samples and hip-hop legends paying respect to the man behind the ones and two’s. The intro might mess with your head just a bit, thinking you’re about to hear some loud West coast trunk-rock hip-hop, but immediately the following three tracks settle things down and get mellowed out. On “Stay Fresh” a slow, hi-hat and stand up bass style track, memories of J Dilla are immediately brought to the forefront. Being on Stones Throw together and great friends, you can hear how the late legend has had a major influence on the production of J-Rocc’s material. For more Stones Throw influence, “Party” sounds like it should be on one of Madlib’s many records. As Madlib’s go to dj, J-Rocc, and long time contributor, some of the Beat Konducta’s recent obsession with Indian samples seems to have rubbed off rather heavily on Rock Stuf. “Thru The Tulips” is as native tongue hip-hop as it gets, with it’s heavy bass, horn consumption and drum beats. Closer to the end of the album is a distinctive and very appropriate J-Rocc jam “Too Many Clowns”. It’s definitely the fastest paced track on the record, and the only one that will get you on your feet with its 70’s funk, Bossa Nova grooves.

While this isn’t exactly the dream record from a dj with over 19 years of experience under his belt, it’s definitely not a throw away. It ‘s a little too all over the place to throw on at a house party, but more so suitable for a solo type of experience. Sitting back and indulging in the mix of classic hip-hop pleasures, absurd humor, lonely stoner music, a bit of sadness and confusion, and just the right amount of funk. Something about this album seems to get better with time.

-Jay Wolman

Fri Apr 22

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J-Rocc:Some Cold Rock Stuf

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