In early 2000 is released the debut studio album of the New York-based hip-hop group Diggin' in the Crates Crew aka DITC. The record presents all the members of the collective, Lord Finesse, Fat Joe, Diamond D, Buckwild, Showbiz, AG, OC and the late Big L. The music is provided by the in-house producers Show, Diamond D, Buckwild and Lord Finesse, along with DJ Premier, Rockwilder and Amed "DJ Timbalan" Harris. The guests are Big Pun, Milano Constantine, Cuban Link, and KRS-One.
The record is opened by "Thick", DJ Premier behind the keys and he keeps his formula, brief loop, dope samples, vibrant drum, bassline in the background, lively and cheerful vibes, ideal soundscape for the DITC emcee, AG sounds at his ease, then Big L stab the piece with a velvet rapping. OC at the last stanza rips the cut, one of the finest in the crew's catalog. Rightly choose as the first single of the effort. Showbiz produces his first tune in this album for "Get Yours", Big L and OC trade bars over a hypnotic and skinny rhythm before the contribute of Diamond D. The hook is forced, it could have been left out and weighs down the piece. Show invented even the beat for "Where Ya At", Terror Squad champion Big Pun and Diggin' in the Crates Crew affiliate Milano Constantine get one verse each over a bouncy production.
"Way of Life" is a pearl by Showbiz: lively samples, good drum, hypnotizing keys, Fat Joe and Big L are on the same track along with Terror Squad member Armageddon. "Day One" sounds like a classic hit, beautiful sample from Oliver Sain's "On the Hill", Diamond D in production, himself launches the posse even on the mic, before make room to Big L, AG, Lord Finesse and OC, while Fat Joe recites the chorus. Milano Constantine and Cuban Link are the main characters of the sixth track, on a ghosting beat provided by Lord Finesse, harsh drum, rough sounds, spooky atmosphere for the bars of the two rappers, flanked by OC for the chorus. "Foundation" is another posse from DITC, Show and Diamond D behind the keys, Diamond D, OC, AG and Lord Finesse exchange bars over a bouncy rhythm that seems to aim for the club. A little bit, at least.
Sounds like the track for the radio, maybe trying to attract and rediscover the same audience that was fascinated by Meth and Red's "Da Rockwilder", which had come out shortly before and was still causing a sensation. The whole tune is a bit like a Wu-Tang track without the Wu-Tang, without that Shaolin vibe, and most of all without the lyrics. It almost seems like the guys listened to "The Infamous" and "Cuban Linx" and thought they had to do the same thing, but without using the same lyrics, and having to drop verses that were as generic as possible. The unique beat of Buckwild in the entire effort is in "Champagne Thoughts", a solo by Omar Credle over a uptempo, skeletal, rough beat. It's followed by a remix of Big L's "Ebonics", DJ Premier creates the rhythm here. The next cut is the Show & AG hit "Drop It Heavy", featuring KRS-One and Big Pun. Preemo gives another classic to his friend on this album with "Da Enemy": splendid soundscape, dark, immense, underground, raw drum, Big L and Fat Joe at their best over this Premier, in one of the best tracks ever for DITC.
Big L opens the next tune, "Stand Strong", splendid beat invented by Show, Lord Finesse, AG and OC completed the track, that is a remix of DITC's "Dignified Soldiers". Showbiz stays behind the keyboards for "Weekend Nights", solo by Andre the Giant, good beat, dark, obscure. Rockwilder is credited for the remix of "Thick", the track just doesn't sound well. The record is closed by a track dedicated to Big L. Splendid sample from Art Farmer Quintet's "Mirage", vibrant drum, deeply soulful, jazzy, ethereal soundscape invented by Amed "DJ Timbalan" Harris for OC, AG and Lord Finesse, they provide a fitting tribute to one of the greatest ever. AG, Diamond D and OC are the rappers in the bonus track for the European market "Time to Get This Money": the performance of the DITC is fine, while the same speech can't be made for the beat of Ahmed Harris. The Ghetto Dwellas (Party Arty and D-Flow) joins AG over a lively soundscape created by Showbiz in "Q & A", bonus track choice for the Japanese market.
Released by Tommy Boy, the record is welcomed warmly by specialized critics, despite without being able to easily make its way in sales, entering the top ten among independent albums. It's a solid debut of one of the most underrated crew in the game, excellent producers, excellent MCs. Here, however, several pieces have already been heard elsewhere. Big L dominates every track on which he appears, O.C. shines in his own light, KRS-One & Big Pun highlighted "Drop It Heavy", the others surround it. The beatmakers of the DITC do great things, they set a jazzy/funky skeletal table and towards the end of the disc, gloomy, however they must bow to Preemo who regulates all with a couple of rhythms ("Thick", the remix of "Ebonics" & "Da Enemy"). Good album, consistent, full of glittering, unmissable gems.
Rating: 7.5/10.
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