This is one of those rare cd's that you can put in the player and play all of the songs. it's just that good. You're sleepin' heavily if you're not pickin' this joint up!!!

CLASSIC.
LYRICS ------- 10/10
PRODUCTION COURTESY OF D.J PETE ROCK -------- 10/10
THEME ------- 10/10
ALBUM COVER ------- 10/10
CONCEPT -------- 10/10
STAND OUT TRACKS ------- ESCAPE,GET ON THE MIC,MAIN INGREDIENT & CHECK IT OUT.
OVERALL -------- EXCELLENT.

O.KAKA AKA God's gift to the underground.

Back when MC's actually sat down and wrote intricate intelligent lyrics, there was a rapper name CL Smooth who was as respected as they came. Teamed with the super producer Pete Rock, the duo would combine for two all-time classics; Mecca & The Soul Brother and the Main Ingredient. Both offerings are equally timeless pieces of art. However, the second can be considered the more focused and polished work of the two. Going into this album Pete Rock made a name for himself as a producer who was adept in looping horn riffs into melodic and jazzy rhythms. Rather than following his own blueprint, he advanced his style on the Main Ingredient, creating a more ambitious and soulful album. He brings his A-game, because in the early 90's the rap game was generated by A-list producers and MC's. The standout production includes I Get Physical with its gentle guitar riff; I Got a Love with its driving energetic hook; All the Places with its soulful jazzy light cadence; I'll Take You There with its head bopping yet easeful kick; and the title cut which is laced with the aforementioned signature horn riffs. While Pete Rock provides the engine for this ship, CL Smooth directs the navigation with his well thought lyrics that compliment each track like french fries to a burger. There are no ignorant misogynistic references, or useless repetitious usage of the N-word. This is pure hip-hop when hip-hop seemed to matter as a true art form. This album represents a time when MCs maintained their respective pace and competition through the use of intelligence as opposed to lazy ignorance.

I dont have 2 advertise this album 2 much 2 those old bro's+ sisters out there but let me encourage those new/younger listeners 2 cop this album it truly epitomises that raw but yet smooth hip-hop now sadly lost in 2days music its an absolute classic the beats like i said b4 are 2nd 2 none +cl's rhymes are a step up from his lyrics on mecca..... its the perfect album non violent but hard enough 2 have u kiddies bangin it in front of your hardcore homies this will not dissapoint,beats 10/10 production 10/10
COP IT

The Main Ingredient is listening pleasure from start to finish. Each track is beautifully orchestrated, replete with jazz inflections. Pete Rock truly hones his production abilities on this album. Some claim that this sophomore LP represents a cross-over attempt, but this is clearly not the case. The samples are top notch and are perfectly attuned with PR's drums. In my opinion, CL Smooth never sounded better, although it is true that he deviates somewhat from the topics covered on Mecca and the Soul Brother. He rhymes very much alike on here as on the All Souled Out EP.
1994 was undoubtedly a golden year for hip-hop. Along with classic albums such as Nas' Illmatic and Between a Rock and a Hard Place by the Artifacts, to name only a couple, this brilliant follow up by Pete Rock and CL Smooth appeared late in the year and served to round out the true school flavour of hip-hop music which prevailed at the time.