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Dungeon Family member Slimm Calhoun is first out of the box from Aquemini Records, Outkast's new label, with
The Skinny. His hallmark is a lilting Georgian intonation and mile-a-minute flow that bears marked similarities with his mentors. The rapper's identity is smothered further by Earthtone's solid, gothic-funk production that displays but a few brief glimmers of brilliance. A full-throttled funk workout erupts out of nowhere on the chorus of "Well," then hides behind a plink-plonk keyboard motif and jangling rhythm. "Timelock" is a breezy head-bobber over which Slimm relates the day-to-day strife of a cashless life. Big Boi and Andre 3000 guest on three tracks, the former on the filthy "Why Ya Smilin" and the low-key "Dirt Work." The latter graces "It's OK" with vocoder-enhanced vocals, which sound like Lenny Kravitz minus guitar masturbation--emasculated but kind of catchy. Coherent but workmanlike,
The Skinny is a quick fix of Southern-fried rap for those fiending for a follow-up to Outkast's
Stankonia. But it's several helpings short of a satisfying meal.
--Chris Campion
Reader Reviews
Slimm Cutta Calhoun delivers a smash debut. As The first artist to sign to Outkast's label Aquemini Records, he establishes himself as a tight southern rapper with an attitude. I first heard Slimm on some other songs but mainly on Outkasts Gangsta [ISH] from Stankonia but he wasn't nearly as good rapping there as he is on this album. Slimm has plenty of lyrical skills to go around. He raps about wack emcees, females, thug and pimp stuff you know the same ol topics, but it is the way he delivers them. Packed with a smooth flow and compelling voice backed by Organized Noize and Earthtone III, Slimm Cutta Calhoun is his own artist and separates himself from the clichéd rappers out today. As with almost any Dirty South album, the album is packed with many anthems and tight hooks making it easy to digest. The production is top notch as well but you wouldn't expect anything less than excellence with the Dungeon Family. The playability is also off the chain as you can play the cd the whole way through ( save for the intro which is pointless) and never skip a single song. This cd is most likely the best Southern debut since Youngbloodz Against Da Grain in 99. Every song on here is near perfect and most of them are excellent. You don't feel a need to skip songs at all. My favorite songs include the first single It's OK which is sonic bliss. It's amazing this song was slept on. Another tight cut has to be The Cut Song. This song is just pimp tight. The video for the song destroyed it because it was not a good video but this is one of the better songs produced by Earthtone III. Other hit songs include Well, Timelock, Dirt Work, The Skinny [the most mellowed out song], Characters- a superior chorus, Worldly Ways-getting political. My favorite song has to be How Much Can I featuring Sleepy Brown. The instrumental is so settling and calm and Sleepy Brown is butter on the breakfast toast. This song will get comparisons to the instrumental Funky Ride off Outkast's first offering SouthernPlayalisticCadillacMuzik. This song is so tight. To Conclude, The Skinny is one of the best debuts of 2001 and easily one of the best albums of the year. If you like Dirty South music, Dungeon Family, or any affiliated artists you should definitely give Slimm a listen...you won't be disappointed.
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