Mecca and the Soul Brother
Mecca and the Soul Brother is the 1992 debut album from the Mount Vernon, New York hip-hop duo, Pete Rock & CL Smooth. The album contains their best known song, "They Reminisce Over You ". Mecca and the Soul Brother has been widely acclaimed as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. The album was mostly produced by Pete Rock and executive produced by DJ Eddie F of Heavy D & the Boyz.
Background
Mecca and the Soul Brother followed on the heels of the duo's EP; All Souled Out, released in 1991. Despite being a critical success, it had little commercial success in comparison to other noteworthy releases of 1992, such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic. The first single, "They Reminisce Over You ", a dedication to their deceased friend; Trouble T Roy, has gone on to become not only their signature hit, but also one of hip hop's most highly regarded songs.Other topics on the album range from life in the ghetto, the teachings of the Nation of Islam, bootlegging, and love.
Reception
Mecca and the Soul Brother brought considerable acclaim to the duo. They were often compared to the group Gang Starr, which also featured one MC, and a producer/DJ. Although the album garnered a great amount of acclaim, sales were slow. The group only grew more popular, however, and next appeared on the Menace II Society soundtrack, followed by Who's the Man? and Poetic Justice respectively, before returning in 1994 with The Main Ingredient.Accolades
The information is taken from AcclaimedMusic.net. and other website links below.Track listing
- All tracks produced by Pete Rock & CL Smooth, except #4 co-produced by Nevelle Hodge and #5 co-produced by Large Professor.
| # | Title | Performer | Time |
| 1 | "Return of the Mecca" |
| 5:42 |
| 2 | "For Pete's Sake" | 5:48 | |
| 3 | "Ghettos of the Mind" | 5:01 | |
| 4 | "Lots of Lovin'" | 5:07 | |
| 5 | "Act Like You Know" | 4:01 | |
| 6 | "Straighten It Out" | 4:12 | |
| 7 | "Soul Brother #1" | 4:30 | |
| 8 | "Wig Out" | 4:10 | |
| 9 | "Anger in the Nation" | 5:31 | |
| 10 | "They Reminisce Over You " | 4:44 | |
| 11 | "On and On" | 5:10 | |
| 12 | "It's Like That" | 3:55 | |
| 13 | "Can't Front on Me" | 4:18 | |
| 14 | "The Basement" | 5:22 | |
| 15 | "If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right" | 5:04 | |
| 16 | "Skinz" | 4:14 |
- The cassette and 2xLP versions contain two bonus tracks: "The Creator " and "Mecca and the Soul Brother "
- Symbolizes co-producer
Album singles