While hip-hop’s latest trend maybe implementing urban soundscapes into gaming outlets, its predecessor; label’s emptying their vaults, enabled a slew of previously unreleased LP’s to finally hit the shelves— Juggaknots, Last Emperor, Pep Love, Del, Dooley O, Nas, Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf, among many all finally saw the light of day in either 02 or 03.  Granted, fans will always clamor for what their not supposed to have, but if the majority of these efforts proved anything, its that unreleased material stays just that for a reason. 

 However, one of those castaways, the heavily sought after debut from InI, Center Of Attention, just happens to be the last LP crowned with HipHopSite’s vaunted @@@@@ rating (see review).  And now formally repackaged with yet another stowaway, Deda’s The Original Baby Pa, Pete Rock’s Lost And Found becomes a virtual eargasm for fans of hip-hop’s golden age.  Though there have been a variety of bootlegs, perhaps this is the version Pete, Grap Luva and Rob-O initially intended the masses to hear.  Whatever the case maybe, in any form, Center Of Attention is an essential piece of work, which captures Pete Rock at the apex (92-96) of his highly influential career.  Though Pete unleashes his signature horn blasts on “To Each His Own” w/ Large Professor and Q-Tip, diversity is at a premium as he bridges “Think Twice” with a crucial scratch chorus and immerses “What They Say” and “Center Of Attention” with eloping drums and day-dreamy piano loops.  And while its easy to get lost in the beauty of Pete’s beats, most tend too overlook Grap and Rob-O’s genuine chemistry and liberating messages.

 Deda’s The Original Baby Pa has its share of highlights; “Baby Pa”, “Can’t Wait”, “Rhyme Writer”, and “Blah Uno”, which incorporates a very trill Special Ed vocal sample, but fails to resonate like its companion piece, as Deda’s scatting style fails to appropriately mesh with the sophistication of Pete’s visceral production.  One of the LP’s sore spots, the embarrassing crossover attempt “How I’m Livin” serves as a telling indicator why Pete remains one of hip-hop’s most cherished sound-providers, but has yet to translate those daps into the mainstream appeal many of his contemporaries enjoy.

 While we all wait for the second installment of Soul Survivor and his impending reunion with CL Smooth, Lost & Found illustrates why Pete Rock is so revered and why he’s been an influence on so many producers (9th Wonder, Jay Dee).  You may not have to look very hard for it anymore, but Lost & Found is still a find.