The Wiseguys
The Antidote
Ideal Records/Wall of Sound
Release Date: 1999
Although, Big Beat has gotten a bad name in the last year by being embraced by every American television watching teen, one thing you have accept is that the entire idea behind big beat is fun. That's the reason it can be so easily embraced by the masses.
But with the release of The Antidote, Touché, the central "guy" behind he Wiseguys, has brought to the big beat table another unexplored space. While Norman Cook brought us an arena rock view, and Bentley Rhythm Ace brought us kitsch, this British DJ/producer brings with his large sound a encyclopedic knowledge of hip hop. But this is not simply Jay-Z meets Fatboy Slim. The Antidote marries the world of old school breaking and beats with flair others can't seem to achieve.
Touché manages to navigate the album dangerously close to the oh-so-trendy worlds of lounge and nostalgic hiphop, but always steers clear of sounding simple. The hiphop tracks keep the rhymes tight and the music compelling. The more big beat leaning tracks are fun and fluffy ear candy, but never lose all of their credibility.
What the Wiseguys offer is a hip hop record that fearlessly allows for horns, swanky percussion and Spanish guitar. The tracks includes references to everything from Boogie Down Productions to Depeche Mode. Unlike others records though, instead of choking on these disparate influences Touché hides his cards enough for them to bubble underneath the surface and simply add texture to solid hip hop record that strives to be fun as well.
-- Miguel Banuelos
banuelos@outersound.com
