The Lone Catalysts have been around since the time when only talented underground acts put records out on Rawkus and their sound was most definitely a part of the distinctive groove that the label had going on back in the days of the first Reflection Eternal EP and Mos Def and Talib Kweli's Black Star album. Producers of some of the best cuts from the latter, and local to fellow jazz-sampling producer Hi-Tek in Ohio, the Lone Catalysts' influence has been felt.
When a twelve inch called 'Due Process' hit British shores a couple of years ago it signalled very clearly that a talented production crew had just become a very talented act in their own right. That essential track is included here in all its lazy glory and remains one of the album's highlights.
A little while after this release, a tape landed in the dotmusic post box with a couple more killer cuts on it, accompanied by the Lone Catalysts' business card. The point being that these fellas are doing it for themselves, from mail-outs to album covers, it's like a downmarket version of what Rawkus used to be all about and the music is just as fine.
It's a cliche, but Lone Catalysts are strictly about two turntables and a microphone. They're reassuringly unglamorous. If that makes you want to run straight down the Scala and start kicking the shit out of the nearest oversized t-shirt with a backpack slung low round its shoulder: hold up, CHILL!
These are not bland beats and limp lyrics hiding behind exhortations about the 'underground'. It ain't the latest party-rocker from MOP either. But one thing's certain, the Native Tongues legacy hasn't seemed more alive since Mos Def dropped his debut album and even that didn't capture the blissed out summertime chill - often hip hop's most potent weapon - with quite the same aplomb as this.
J. Rawls and J. Sands don't always hit the spot but on tracks like 'Ayanna Monet', 'Part Of The Game', 'Due Process' and 'Politix' they employ beautifully tinkling jazz piano licks, lazy beats and shuddering basslines with J. Sands' louche hip hop vernacular flowing lovely. The best reference point is Reflection Eternal's classic '2000 Seasons'.
It's over long and quality control ought really be a little tighter but what do you expect, these guys are their own A&R man. Anyway, if it sounds this good with the rain beating at the window just imagine how good it's going to be flipping this on a sunny Saturday morning…
