Mr Len - Pity The Fool : Experiments in therapy behind the mask of music while handing out dummy smacks (2001)

Its no secret of my love for Company Flow ( search the archives on here), but up until a few years ago I never really dug into what DJ Mr Len did after the trail blazing Brooklyn trio called it quits back in 2001. I followed El-P pretty obsessively across all his solo works and spent some time absorbing Bigg Jus's Black Mamba Serums but Len seemed pass me by.
Mr Len, Leonard "Lenny" Smythe to his friends, followed the break up with this very album. Acting as a sort of mixtape, it showcases a sound you have come to expect from one of the guys behind the dark Funcrusher Plus album but also leans way more towards standard structures. Sort of like trying to jam a huge, dark, nasty creature into a presentable glass box for people to stare at. That makes sense right?
His choice of vocalists on here is pretty spot on. Each track obviously playing to that lyricists talents and vibe. Jean Grae stands out on her contribution "Taco Day", that's pretty intense in its narrative. Mass Influence, Lord Sear and Chubb Rock all provide pretty solid accompaniment. The only lull in the albums running is the collaboration with metalcore chumps Agents Of Man. Which is just lame. Despite that, Pity The Fool makes a pretty sweet mixtape for random journeys and in my experience household cleaning.

Mr Len - Pity The Fool........

 That's right Lenny, Agents Of Man was a bad idea.

Company Flow - End To End Burners EP (1998)

Following up the previous Company Flow posts here is maybe my most favourite track these hip hop renegades ever produced. From 1998, released as a single with the radio edit and instrumental versions of Krazy Kings Too and Blackout, End To End Burners is carried along on a bubbling, dense musical groove led by Bigg Jus's laconic stream of conscience rhyming. Superb stuff.

Company Flow - End To End Burners

Company Flow - Little Johnny From The Hospital (1999)

Following on from the hip hop post further down I thought I would upload the untouchable Company Flow and the final (and only second) album they released. Now, instrumental hip-hop may scare some folk of at the mere mention of the phrase. Company Flow are a perfect example of the Public Enemy school-of-noise approach to music production but with a far darker undertow. You always get the impression there is something just out of reach that you don't know about when listening to this. Superbly atmospheric beats and noise by one of hip hop's greats.

Company Flow - Little Johnny From The Hospital

No one comes near.