Emcee PremRock and producer Willie Green have been slowly gaining momentum over the last couple years, trying to find their own space in an always crowded New York scene. However difficult it can be to get that first bit of attention, people will recognize talent when they hear it, and these two have been getting respect from their peers. Nowhere is this more apparent than this remix album. An interesting cross section of producers tried their hand at re-interpreting their music, from the firmly established, such as Blockhead, to the newer voices such as Man Mantis or Has-Lo. The result is one of the best remix albums you’ll come across this year.

A remix album is always a bit tricky to analyze. There’s the source material, the individual remixes, and the album as a whole. The first aspect that hit me as I listened to the album is just how well it comes together as a complete listening experience. This is not an easy task, but Green and Rock did an excellent job in selecting the remixes and sequencing them in a way that flowed naturally. As far as the original material goes, it’s clear that both Rock and Green came up on some classic New York boom bap and battle raps, but they’ve also moved past these influences to incorporate some additional storytelling and production styles to develop a more unique identity. As far as the individual remixes, there are of course a few that stand out more than others, but there aren’t any tracks that don’t work. One of the biggest successes on the album is actually Willie Green’s Fedora Raps Remix of “Jogger.” It’s one of those rare occasions where the remix sounds like the song was always meant to have sounded that way. Green employs some big band horns over a beat that trades off syncopated toms with a solid snare clap. This all compliments Rock’s rhymes quite well, which deliver a humorous, self-deprecating monologue about a guy hanging out in a park drinking when he tries to pick up a female jogger. With the tone that’s set by Rock and Green, it made a lot of sense to bring in Open Mike Eagle, who is also great with that style of humor. The pieces just really came together well on that one. Another stand out track is the Dirt E. Dutch remix of “How’d You Get So Fresh?” which brings to mind someone like Beans, with it’s careful blend of straight ahead braggadocio rhymes and funky beats that mix with more abstract elements, such as a dissonant minor jazz piano line and fuzzed out synthesizers. It’s challenging, yet very accessible, making for a really entertaining listen. Has-Lo’s remix of “Move” is subtle, yet very effective, pushing the rhythm of a slower song with more of an uptempo disco beat, while not sacrificing the introspective and emotional lyrical content that PremRock laid down on the original track.

If you don’t know PremRock & Willie Green, this album is an excellent entry point. If you’ve already been following these two, you now have some really great new versions of some really strong original material. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better remix album this year.