Slimkid3 & DJ Nu-Mark

On the heels of a Jurassic 5 reunion tour, DJ Nu-Mark adds to his momentum by teaming up with Pharcyde emcee Slimkid3 (Tre Hardson) on this self-titled album for Delicious Vinyl. DJ Nu-Mark, a crate-diggin' technophile with kid-like curiosity, drops a release catered to deejays for manipulation on all formats. The 38-track, “two-disc” partnership with Slimkid3 features 10 instrumentals, 10 a capella tracks, and 18 complete with both beats and rhymes (eight of which are edited versions—for the chil'ren). “Work Hard” features a haunting Isley Brothers-sampled hook laced with buttery-sounding strings and bells. Slimkid3 skips into the track like it's Double Dutch, spitting: “Well I'm just me/Same nigga I've ever been/Never been a crook/But music was the medicine” with a staccato rhyme pattern that perfectly matches the disjointed beat. The duo save the best for last with “Bouillon,” featuring Del The Funky Homosapien and MURS. Simultaneously percussive and melodic, the dark piano and xylophone-driven beat provide a sonic playground for the guests who rap, “The back beat never taking a back seat/ Verbal athletes have to eat at the track meet,” and “Mid-city monster/ Competition conquered/Grew up bumping Eazy-E and watching Cookie Monster,” respectively.