Mr. Complex is from what some might label as the “first generation” of (contemporary) underground artists – a relatively small grouping of emcees and producers who made names for themselves in the mid-Nineties more through word of mouth than today’s intricate marketing and promotional schemes. In its short-lived (nevertheless grand) time, consumers sought out the “new shit” sans most “independent” labels and distributors practically feeding it to them. Making a mark circa 95′ with the self-released “Against The Grain”(Core) 12″, Complex found himself chattered about by heads worldwide. It would be another 2 years until he would grab the ears of hungry followers again, this time with the revered “Why Don’t Cha” slab. Riding the wave of fanfare, had an album dropped at this point Complex probably would have blown fans out the water. But alas, like many artists coming up at that time, full-length albums were more the stuff of wishful thinking then such a regular trend as today.
A handful of singles and cameos later, the still album-less Mr. Complex takes the DIY initiative and compiles a collection of past jams, recent treats and juicy unreleased gems in radio show format hosted by homeboys DL & Emmo. It might not be the LP fans want, but surely proves solid, based on Complex’s thick catalog of quality material. The classic “Against The Grain” and it’s partners “Feel Me” and “I’m Rhymin” rightfully commence the project. For heads who might only be familiar with the Mr. from his Rawkus 12″ or the Polyrhythm Addicts album, all his other notable singles make appearances, from “Visualize Remix”, “I’ma Kill It” to the most recent “Stabbin’ You”. Still proving fresh in the ever changing easily stagnated Hip-Hop game, Complex’s newer and unreleased tracks hold the weight just as much as their commercially released brethren. Once a Japan-only import, “Divine Intervention” finds it way in the mix, and rightfully so because the moody Pharaohe Monch track masterfully melds with Complex’s paranoid contemplation. 96′s “Relax” pairs DJ Spinna and Complex together again, collectively creating a soothing head-nod factor. And the updated version of “Visualize” remixed by the UK’s Beyond There works nicely with new vocals recorded by Com.
With close to 20 tracks of Complex material, even the heads with all of the singles will find something to like about this compilation – if not for the sake of having all these great songs on one CD. Like many from that early generation of onetime “underground” Hip-Hop artists, faithful fans had the opportunity watch Complex’s maturation from release to release, The Complex Catalog marks a page in the innovative emcee’s career to what hopefully will be a novel of music to come.
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