Large Professor - Main Source

Finally, after a really shitty weekend filled with bad news we have something to feel good about. That's right, your eyes aren't fooling you, right there smack dab in the middle of your computer screen is a brand new LP from one of the game's most profound and gifted beatsmith's. Staring you right in the face is Large Pro's new album "Main Source". It's been a little over six years since Large Pro has blessed us with a full length studio LP, and his last effort "1st Class", while a favorite of mine was met across the board with much more luke warm reviews. Since then Large has kept relatively busy thumpin out new beats and still comes highly requested as a producer for other projects. Earlier this year Large released "Beatz Vol.2", the second installment of the series that had many of his fans clamoring for a new album with someone actually rhyming over his thick, sample laden and boom bap infused rythmics. We asked and now we shall recieve. From the moment "Main Source" begins it's literally an aural treasure.

"The Entrance" leads off and sends you bobbing your head into the rest of the album via a funky sample and an uptempo pace. Large's rhyming skills haven't degraded at all, he still is keeping it pretty rapid fire, but under control and precise. There are plenty of really captivating beats on this album that feature that great, stripped down and swingin' production that was so popular in the 90's, so all of you hardcore Large Pro fans rest assured, he delivers the goods once again.

For the most part I think the people that check for a Large Professor album are expecting him to maintain his usual mode of work. While I'm very pleased that Large is sticking to the script, I do admit that many other critics most likely will complain about how he's coloring inside the lines too much. Those fans might have a point, but like I stated before, I know what I'm getting when I pick up a Large Pro album, and that's exactly why I pick them up. I don't wanna make it seem like this album is just totally "been there done that", on the contrary, there's a large dose of "new approach" on "Main source" you just have to listen for it because much of what Large does so well is translate stuff from the past into more modern terms so to speak. He makes sounds from the past come alive once again, but like never before.

If you wanna zone out to a hazy, laid back cut than "Maica Living" is for you, but if you wanna jump up and pump ya fist, then track four is most definitely gonna be your jam. Large delivers a hefty amount of lyrical word play this time around and to me definitely has stepped up his delivery and cadence quite a bit since 2002 and his last album. This album won't break any sales records and most likely won't break into the top 40 of anything, but it does provide something that I give Large the highest props for; Soul....long forgotten and ever so Sweet, Soul....this whole LP is drenched in it.

From the myriad of soul samples, funk loops and rock guitar riffs that Large lifted and re-worked so beautifully to the many choruses that were shouted with the same boisterous pride as James Brown's "I'm Black And I'm Proud", this album represents real music for real heads and a time when production didn't fear the now omnipresent royalty lawsuit. There is some definite history within the music on "Main Source" a history that many of hip-hop's new corporate-raised generation might not recognize and in turn shun. While this type of hip-hop might fly over the youngins heads', maybe a few will get it and then maybe a smaller few will even try to make it themselves. Alas, the cycle must continue, but it grows weaker.

Be sure to check out the Jeru Da Damaja, Lil' Dap and Big Noyd appearances, even though they're short they're ill and illustrate nicely how Large's beats should still be considered right up there with Premo's or Pete Rock's. All in all I really felt this album and I think it's one of the strongest of 2008 due in large part to it's consistent dedication to the legitimate aesthetics of hip-hip production and emceeing. That comes as no surprise to me though....just another day at the office for Large, who has been churning out great work beneath everyone's radar for such a long time and without complaint.

-BIG D O




01. The Entrance 2:15
02. Hot: Sizzling, Scorching, Torching, Blazing 2:57
03. Maica Living Feat. Killah Sha & Guardian Leep 3:47
04. Pump Ya Fist Feat. Mikey D Lotto 3:13
05. Party Time 2:44
06. In The Ghetto 2:49
07. Hardcore Hip Hop 3:18
08. Frantic Barz 3:02
09. Swein' Love 2:58
10. Ru Dope Feat. Jeru Tha Damaja 1:01
11. Dap Feat. Lil Dap 0:41
12. Noyd Feat. Big Noyd 0:47
13. Classic Emergency 2:31
14. Rockin' Hip Hop 3:22
15. Large Pro Says 2:02
16. To The Meadows 1:46
17. The Hardest Feat. Styles P & AZ 4:42

http://rapidshare.com/files/136376239/Large_Pro-Main_Source-2008.rar