The Future Sound — The Whole Shabang, Vol. 1

David Osman and David Thomas form New Rochelle's East Coast duo, The Future Sound. They go by the names of Flashback, the Funky Tactitioner and Rhythm King Pin Relay, and deliver their only studio album in 1992. The production and lyricism, entirely provided by Flashback and Relay, are inspired by music made by Native Tongues, alt rap of discrete level, with a generic delivery.

After the intro on a good jazzy rhythm, he opens a second skit, then slow syncopated delivery on a thin and simple jazzy beat, with a thin light drum machine distant in the background. "The Function" is one of the best cuts, simple, lean, vibrant and positive jazzy rhythm, with light syncopated drum machine, bridge with sax dope samples on the hook and light, easygoing slow syncopated delivery.

The next two choices, including the title track, are more generic cuts in both lyrics and rhythm, jazzy with an uninspired delivery. "Lady / What's a Bro to Do?" it has a bland, decent jazzy production, and even the following track is no better. "Pixie Groove" instead presents a jazzy production close to ballad, light, with light and thin drum machine, it appears as a relaxed and calm cut, with an annoying sound that completely ruins it: this sound is a kind of carousel squeak looped tightly in background.

The 10th piece has a decent beat, while "Primates in Stitches" has an annoying sound, with the usual slow syncopated delivery. The remix of the fourth track follows, with a decent sample, precedes three of the best cuts of the tape. There are some decent piano keys on the hook of "Sucka Set", a light jazzy boom bap simple rhythm track, vibrant skinny drum and usual delivery. "Jungel-O" is a musical filler, jazzy-rockin' rhythm with skinny syncopated drum machine, uninterpreted hook with simple bridge, and light-hearted smooth delivery. Closes a simple and minimal jazzy beat, lo-fi, better than usual.

Album that could interest fans fond of alt rap: it's managed by brothers Damon and Darien Dash and by Clark Kent, who produces the tenth cut together with Larry Larr, and is distributed by EastWest Records, division of Atlantic. Nonetheless, it has had little commercial success and little critical response.

Rating: 6/10.