Johnson & Jonson

If you happen to be in the Bay Area and you see a red baby doll out and about, chillin’ in Golden Gate Park or catching a Warriors game, don’t trip. That’s just Johnny, the good luck charm of Johnson&Jonson, the MC/producer team comprised of underground star Blu and up-and-coming producer Mainframe. Johnson&Jonson took Johnny everywhere, from meetings with record labels to shows. However, Johnny was last seen in San Francisco after the duo lost track of him at a show there.

Hopefully that lost doll isn’t the key to Blu and Mainframe‘s success because their eponymous album is pure dope. This is just the latest chapter in Blu‘s onslaught of material during 2008, having already released an album and a mixtape earlier this year. And Mainframe‘s sample-laden tracks are some of the funkiest beats that will come out of your speakers this year. Mainframe‘s beats are just as big an attraction as Blu‘s lyrics, which is saying a lot, as Blu is easily one of the most gifted MC’s on the west coast right now.

“The Only Way” works almost as a duet, with the soul sampled singer often starting or completing Blu‘s lines about surviving the hood and his takes on the current state of affairs in the hip hop industry. On “Wow,” Mainframe channels the 70s and lays down something my parents would be hearing while they rocked bell-bottoms and hit the skating rink. Yes, this beat is groovy. “Hold On, John” brings in a rather, ahem, imaginative guest to rock the hook: John Lennon. Blu ditches the swagger and unyielding confidence that is prevalent for most of the album for an introspective and mellow slow flow. Lennon serves to reassure Blu as he laments about life falling down all around him and the troubles he faces. Blu‘s interaction with Lennon is beautifully used; as if Lennon were speaking to the listener and Blu, encouraging them to persevere through hard times.

Johnson&Jonson will leave you wanting more, as about half of the songs clock in below 2 and a half minutes. The album seems very brief, as 16 tracks only last for 45 minutes. You’ll end up wishing tracks like “The Only Way” would last for another 3 minutes. Although in this regard, this album compares favorably to another sample-laden album that was short on length and paired one MC with one producer: Madvillainy. But instead of a guy in a metal mask mean mugging you on the cover, there’s Johnny’s backside. Hopefully the duo finds Johnny, because I’m certainly not opposed to that doll inspiring another dope Johnson&Jonson project.

85/100

Standout Tracks:

“The Only Way”

“Wow”

“Hold On”