It's a shame that when DJ Muggs' took a step back from "Cypress Hill":http://www.thestore24.com/Music/Album.aspx?p_id=P+++++++22&a_id=R+++812018&PersonID=P%20%20%20%20%20%20%2022&prodid=SNY97788.2&si=rhino to make a foray into rock music production to record the LP Dust, he didn't get more heat. The intro cut “I Know” begins with a blend of Major Tom meets Cree Summer that leads to the first real song called “Rain.” The second cut is quite cool. I see a wide range of influences from way back (Velvet Underground or Neil Young, anyone?). This slow-flowing piece is a bit dark but I still dig on it. Following a brief interlude called “Niente”, Muggs and co. submit “Morta” which I think has vocals that are too damn sexy for their own good – this jam is a definite scene setter ( I’m sure it’s going to appear in the background of a surreal motion picture sequence someday). “Faded” which should go over well on the alternative/ college airwaves, at least for a minute. It sounds similar to a grip of what’s coming out these days so only time will tell. Muggs and Co. pick up the pace (just a tad) on the cut “Tears.” The music is tight, yo and that singer from a few cuts back returns with some more of that “suggestive selling” which is the cherry on top of this tastefully multi-layered joint – another keeper. The next real song is “Fat City” which really is. The singing is top tier and the music is phatt-bottomed while still retaining the rock theme; think Maxwell's "Urban Hang Suite":http://www.thestore24.com/Music/Album.aspx?p_id=P+++173891&a_id=R+++232749&PersonID=P%20%20%20173891&prodid=SNY66434.2&si=rhino sprinkled with Nine Inch Nails' "Broken":http://www.thestore24.com/Music/Album.aspx?p_id=P+++++5033&a_id=R++++58506&PersonID=P%20%20%20%20%205033&prodid=NTHG92213.2&si=rhino. Track 10 is called “Believer” and I’ll admit that this one goes out there in comparison to the cuts it follows but there are quite a few remarkable instances. Take a listen. Next up is “Gone for Good” which is okay. The tune is a bit “been there, bought the t-shirt” but you can dot the “I’s” and cross the “T’s” for yourself, this one’s also worth a test spin. The interlude “Blip” is another one of those wiggy electronica interludes. I thought my player had blown up but realized it was the recording playing normally – cheeky bah-stuhd. The penultimate cut, “Dead Flowers” opens with more of those airy vocals and electro drums and eventually morphs into something completely analogous to anything before it on the song, no shite. It takes a while to get there but when it shifts you’ll know, so check this one. On the last cut, “Far Away”, Muggs closes the set with a sound that points to "Paula Jean Harvey":http://www.thestore24.com/Music/Album.aspx?p_id=P++++26498&a_id=R+++170348&PersonID=P%20%20%20%2026498&prodid=ISL514696.2&si=rhino but isn’t. There’s big drum action, juxtaposed with plush vocal textures that totally compliment each other – but you'll want to be in the proper mood for this dark piece. When taken as a whole the “Dust” LP is definitely one of the albums to find. After picking it back up a couple of weeks ago I had to pinch myself at times when I remembered that this is one of the guys that brought us “Phunky Feel One” - the plate's about three years old and it STILL kicks like karate. Look around for it, you won't be disappointed.
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