The
Yalloppin' Hounds
New Yalloppin' City
Following
up on their hugely popular 1999 debut, Ghetto Swing Extreme!,
The Yalloppin' Hounds have finally released their second album,
New Yalloppin' City (Yallopin' Entertainment). The
record features a new line up, due to the departure of former
lead vocalist Queen Esther and trumpet player Lord Sledge.
Lead Hound Joey Cavaseno, a.k.a. G-Clef, has combed the five
boroughs of New York City to assemble a talented bunch of
young replacements. With solid backing, Cavaseno once again
proves that he is a masterful lyricist and jazz musician,
who over the past several years has helped lead and pioneer
jazz and hip-hop into what is now being referred to as "Swing-hop."
New
Yalloppin' City opens with a reprise appearance by Lord
Sledge on vocals, lending a Sammy Davis touch to "Romantic
Thugz." "Sun Ray" is perhaps one of the best arrangements
of Cavaseno's career with The Hounds and spotlights new vocalist
Vickie Natale. "You're Taken" is the heartfelt sequel to "Where
Have You Been?" (Ghetto Swing Extreme!), which features
bassist Peter Hartman on vocals. He again shares vocal duties
with Cavaseno on "Keep It Tight" and "Jacquet, Here's Your
Jacket." On the hip-hop tip, "Thugbrat" tells the tale of
an affluent young girl who likes to hang out with the "gangstaz"
in a fun blend of rap and swing that you will likely hear
on dance floors across the nation. Overall, this album is
striking because it plays on so many different levels. From
upbeat dance numbers to soul searching ballads, Cavaseno and
The Hounds have kept their stride.
Smilin'
Buddha Joe
|