There is
something fervent and cool going on with Count Bass D and DJ Pocket. In the Loop rings in 2010 with gusto, grandiose beats and a slice of hope and emphasis
on “mad activity from Nashville, Tennessee.” In a time of hip-hop-hegemony and national
recovery, Count Bass and Pocket have more than answered our prayers.
Kicking things off is the super suave seventies-horned stomper “Everyday
Ritual.” The infectious trumpet 'n' bass could convert any old school fan of the Chi-Lites or the Stylistics persuasion
to the doctrine of Count Bass D. On “It’s Just One of those Days,” Count Bass counts his blessings,“Lord, you
could have blessed anyone with a life like mine, fam, friends, wine and mad
studio time.” This appears at a lull where both Count and Pocket drop to a knee
in the heart of an album immersed in choice soul recording samples and smoking verses. “Mazel Tov” invokes down home celebration and solidarity in the rap game. “New
Day” has a smooth synth that emits an air reminiscent of Dr. Dre’s “The
Chronic” style of production, which is a testament to DJ Pocket's complex understanding of layering,
displaying a seamless arrangement of triumphant seventies soul horn sections to
a smooth eighties production almost fit for King Quincy Jones himself.
Nowhere is this better illustrated than on the “Cash on Delivery,” which is equipped
with synths and glittering diamond effects that would excite Toto into a
synthesizer solo. Count responds to the lush production with inspiration and direction through life lessons and family values. Count Bass embodies an unabashed passion that is central in his
work as an artist, exhibiting the importance of putting family first while
performing magic on the mic.
Count’s pianist talents are showcased as the chorus of “So Amitious
(Freestyle);” “True motivation for me, be the best I can to be a Count Bass D,
oh well,” making for a classic outro. Count shows a jovial sense of humor
accompanied by touting the virtues of “ambition.” Count's drive pushes Pocket’s ambitious work on
“Surprise,” which features a sequencing of strings with a well timed loop of a male
voice saying “Surprise” answered by an astonished woman responding with “Well,
I’ll be damned.” Count spills some real family talk, elaborating on the
complications of maintaining a strong loving bond with your spouse while
raising kids.
The Count is not all Cosby Show life lessons and Family Matters. He also keeps the mood light with eccentric numbers like “Palease,” delivering lines like “must think you Kelis… Palease!” The attitude is
big, the message will make you smile, making In the Loop a declaration that 2010
might be a great year for underground hip-hop.
