Eight years after Social Comment, the acclaimed collaborative album from All Good Funk Alliance and Swamburger, the two forces of beat-nature have joined up once again for the rousing 6-track EP Raised on Ten. All Good Funk Alliance consists of Frank Cueto (Vested Soul) and Rusty Belicek (Late Night Workshop), a production duo that's always ready to let the rhythm hit 'em. Swamburger is an MC's MC, one-half of the duo Mugs and Pockets, and previously of Solillaquists of Sound, who is never at a loss for crafty lyrical wordplay. Raised on Ten delivers a delicious stew of bass, breakbeats, and potent rhymes in an old-school style that'll thrill a diverse menagerie of DJs and listeners. It's boom bap to the max.
The tone is set from the start with "That's Deep," a full-on display of DC-flavored go-go beatology, devastating bass drops, rollicking piano riffs, and Swamburger getting his point across in the funkiest manner. "Face The Polls" furthers the groovy mayhem, complete with the staccato stabs and growling bass bits that All Good Funk Alliance is known for. There are also a couple of slower, pensive cuts, like the evocative and spacious "Nursery Rhymes." These nostalgic moments bring home one inspiration for the EP — Swamburger and Frank both lost their mothers during the recording of Raised on Ten, and the release's title is indeed a reference Swam's mom.
The entire EP is captivating, both for its musical and lyrical prowess. Whether grooving on a packed-out dancefloor, cruising on a sunny afternoon, or chilling at home with the ones you treasure, Raised on Ten will shoot vibes straight into the heart as well as the hips.