Pete Rock was one of the great producers of this or any other era. His way of combining bass lines—from where? Did he play them?—and samples simply sounded like a band. His productions are unmatched today–they just sound like new songs, not like loops on a drum machine. CL Smooth is a kind MC, uninterested in the bragging that was the basic fare. “They Reminisce Over You” is still one of the most intense story raps every put down, and the rest of the album keeps up. CL Smooth deserves the same due Pete Rock has gotten. (If you don’t know his productions, also check the Pete Rock remix of Public Enemy’s “Shut ‘Em Down” and Run-DMC’s “Down With The King“.)