Jake One is a producer that harkens back to earlier days before multi-millionaire, beatmakers took over Hip-Hop. Not known for a signature sound or a fancy mixtape series, Jake One possesses a keen sense of what beats MCs will sound great over. The Seattle native drives this point home over 22 tracks with a diverse group of artists on his album, White Van Music.

It’s a shame that a Chameleon-based Hip-Hop name has already been taken, because the strength of White Van Music is Jake One’s ability to adapt to ever rapper that appears on the album.  It really feels as though the producer constructed his beats specifically for each artist that contributes to the project. Freeway and Brother Ali’s collaboration, “The Truth,” is met with a sample heavy, soul beat that the MCs have built their respective careers around. M.O.P.’s “Gangsta Boy” has a haunting siren over dirty drums fitting their gritty personalities. “Glow” featuring Elzhi and Royce Da 5’9 (duet album, please!) utilizes a drum pattern straight out of Dilla’s playbook.

Each rapper seems to feel right at home over each track, allowing them to spit quality bars within their comfort zone as opposed to trying to adapt to an unfamiliar beat. MF DOOM makes a rare appearance (twice), but sounds like he hasn’t lost a step spitting his stream of consciousness flow over dark piano keys that would make Madvillain proud. Arguably the most natural fit comes from “Bless the Child” with Little Brother. Rapper Big Pooh shows his patented ability to ride the beat as Phonte offers more gems like “If life’s a bitch, I’m throwing this D on her like it was my Cadillac.”

Jake has done a substantial amount of work with Interscope artists in the last year or so and the big name MCs return the favor album.  Unfortunately, star power for the tracklisting is the main contribution of the more famous collaborators. Young Buck’s “Dead Wrong” is obviously outdated (not to mention uninspired) as he shouts out G-Unit members he’s been beefing with all summer. Bishop Lamont barely shows up on “Kissin’ the Curb” sporting a hook from Busta that lacks the fire he’s been displaying this year. “Soil Raps” featuring Keak Da Sneak’s nonsensical and off-beat rhymes should simply be buried somewhere.

These missteps are easily overlooked due to the abundance of quality songs and beats on White Van Music. Although trimming the fat would go a long way to improving this already substantial work, efforts like this will guarantee that more MCs and fans will stay along for the ride to success.

4 CIGARETTES

Jake One – White Van Music (Instrumentals)

Previously Posted – VA-HipHopDX Presents Jake One-Great Beat Writer-2008 | Promo: Jake One Presents – White Van Music