Brooklyn, New York duo Smif-n-Wessun consisting of Tek & Steele of the Boot Camp Clik returning with Jamla Records’ in-house production team The Soul Council for their 8th studio LP. Their 1995 debut Dah Shinin’ is widely regarded as an East Coast classic & the Pete Rock produced Monumental, I enjoy almost as much. The All maintained the high quality consistency of Monumental by teaming with The Soul Council for the first time, looking to do it again 6 years later on Infinity.
The title track produced by Khrysis begins The All sequel by promising that they’ll be here for eternity whereas “Moses Promise” takes the soulful boom bap route instrumentally needing the whole team to be straight in order to catch wins. “Namaste” romantically tells their partners they ain’t in a rush tonight with the help of Ka$h behind the boards leading into “Medina” featuring Pharoahe Monch bringing it hardcore over a vocal sample from Sndtrak.
“Black Eminence” featuring the late Prodigy exuberantly turns it up after being asked to tone it down some while “Chuuch” works in a gospel flip talking about keeping it rolling whether it be better or worse. “Beautiful Trip” keeps the sampling chops going flexing that the reach they have has been global for 3 decades, but then “Enjoy Ya Life” brings these pianos in the fold courtesy of 9th Wonder talking about making the best of the short time we have here on Earth.
As for “Shine”, we have Tek & Steele heading for a groovier approach explaining that they value those they battle for while “Just Stay!” featuring Conway the Machine hops over this crooning vocal sample to talk about running through whole entire squads. “On My Soul” featuring Buckshot finds the trio tackling the theme of loyalty & camaraderie while “Heard About Me” featuring the late Sean Price soulfully asks if you heard everything said regarding them lately.
“Elephant in the Room” hits the final moments of Infinity with the 2nd & final single talking about never being traitors because they find those type of people to be worse than bitches & the Nottz-laced closer “Bad Guy” rounds it all out by making everyone listening choose between whether they want to hear the ugly truth or a pretty lie being told to them when most would rather pick the pretty lies since honesty hurts sometimes.
Several years after The Soul Council first got with Smif-n-Wessun, the Jamla in-house production team ensures that Infinity didn’t sound dated it all by giving the duo the classic sound they’re known for & making it feel new in the process. They reflect of their life experiences after all these decades refusing to curve to conformity & staying true to their roots with a great list of guests in addition to the stellar production.
Score: 9/10
