By shelz.

Right before Black Milk dropped his one man study in sonic evolution, Tronic, he released Music From the Color Purple.  The free beat tape was 11 tracks of Prince samples that were slowed down, sped up, looped, chopped, spread over thump and sprinkled with adlibs. It was an interesting display of what one person can do to an already funky track with the right skill and equipment.  Well, Big Pooh has added a lyrical layer to the classic tracks and released The Purple Tape (Yeah, I know.) But what he lacks in title originality, he more than makes up with a sharp, energetic delivery that fits quite well over Black Milk’s ode to the purple one.

This project is enjoyable on a couple of different levels.  First you have Pooh, whose quality even with Lil Brother has been pretty spotty, sounding like he’s on his “A” game.  Yes, it’s just mixtape material, and there isn’t any real album quality stuff here, but Pooh goes through these tracks with a confidence that’s well earned considering the windy, sputtering paths that Black Milk’s tracks can take at times.

Another plus for this tape and the Prince fans that download it is going through Black Milk’s dissection of these songs. I almost wish he didn’t append the actual sample to the tail end of each one.  Then you could use the tape like a party game, name that Prince tune.  Lame, I know, but we music nerds enjoy shit like that.  Don’t judge me.  Anyway, the samples are there so the ends of the songs provide Ah Ha! moments for those of us who find the production process interesting.

There are some filler moments; audio snippets from Purple Rain that serve no purpose outside of driving home the point that the music is inspired by Prince. It’s especially odd since most of the samples aren’t from that album, but the tape is free and if you like Black Milk, Pooh and Prince, you’ll get over it. So let’s take a look at what’s inside.

“Blueprint” is  respectfully removed from “The Beautiful Ones.” Prince’s piano tinkering from the beginning of the song is sped up and the intensity is removed as it sort of fades into the upbeat track.  You can hear wispy fragments of his opening “Baby, baby, baby” but that’s just for ambiance as Pooh is the star of the show.  He challenges people to remember that he and his crew laid down some musical law back in the day and they should be respected as innovators.

This is followed by “Impatient.” It’s a tale of work ethic, being in a state of constant artistic progression, and the edginess associated with knowing you’re better than those who are winning and having to wait your turn. My Prince fandom has let me down on this one though. If you know that song, let me know. It’s a definite winner.

Then there is “Put It In the Air” with Joe Scudda.  The arrangement of this song is pretty awesome.  There is a lot of repetition, but new elements are mixed in perfectly as the track seems to stutter step forward. Pooh and Scudda are lively and amusing as they stomp on the hearts of less talented and younger emcees. Prince’s heavy panting from “Sexy Dancer” provides the foundation for this track.  Strange selection, but a great outcome.

There is an R&B chick on “Holding Back” who does exactly that to the song.  The song trudges through and unfortunately she’s the primary weight. I think it wouldn’t have been that bad if she wasn’t the first half of the song, but well she is. I’m not really feeling this track either.  It’s a slow drag on a guitar riff from “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” Pooh goes in on fake ass studio thugs who remind him off guppies even though they claim they swim with the sharks.  Cool premise, weak song.

The tape progresses into Princes “If I Were Your Girlfriend” with “Girlfriend,” “Erotic City” turns into “Camera Tricks” featuring Chaundon and “Law Order” with Jozeemo snatches a snippet from “Delirious.” All are songs that find Pooh musing about scandalous women and filming all your casual bedroom exploits just in case she comes back with some charges after the act. Do chicks really do that? I’m just sayin..

Anyway, the tape wraps up with “Say Something,” an absolutely awesome use of the frenetic keys at the end of “When Doves Cry.” Pooh bemoans his ups and downs in the rap world, talks about how building his respect is on a level above his money count, and then lets you know the fight ain’t over. If you don’t like it, say something.  There’s a shout out bit at the end but this song closes the tape aptly.  Golf clap for you Mr. Pooh.  This is one tape everybody should be adding to their hard drive. It’s shelz approved.  Say something.

3.75 out of 5

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