| The Main Ingredient | |
|---|---|
 Studio album by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth | |
|
Released |
October 8, 1994 |
|
Recorded |
August 1993 - July 1994 |
|
Studio |
Greene St. Recordings |
|
Genre |
|
|
Length |
76:07 |
|
Label |
Elektra Records |
|
Producer |
Damian Blyden (exec.), C.L. Smooth (also exec.), Pete Rock (also exec.) |
| Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth chronology | |
|---|---|
|
Previous |
Mecca and the Soul Brother (1992) |
The Main Ingredient is the second album by American hip hop duo Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, released in October 8, 1994 on Elektra Records. It would become the duo's last album together. Characterised by sultry soul and jazz samples, The Main Ingredient saw a more polished sound than the duo's debut album, building on the praise that they had already garnered. The album is notable for its snappy, crispy drums and extensive use of vocal scratches. Although missing a centerpiece on the scale of "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)", the album contains some of the duo's best known work, in the form of tracks such as the upbeat "In the House" and the piano-laden "Take You There".
Continuing a theme initiated by Mecca and the Soul Brother, brief instrumental interludes are placed at the beginning and end of songs. With the exception of just a few tracks, this feature is present throughout the album. In addition, The Main Ingredient saw Pete Rock fleshing out and defining his trademark production style, which is now recognised for often containing smooth basslines, swirling horns, filtered samples, and spacious grooves. The production on this album proved to be influential upon a legion of latter day producers, with the album being a favourite of the late producer J Dilla.
The album peaked at #51 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Though overlooked at the time of its release, the album has since been re-evaluated with high critical acclaim. The duo broke up in 1995 citing creative differences, although both parties have since admitted that an unstable working relationship was the main cause of their split.
Track listing
All songs produced by Pete Rock and co-produced by C.L. Smooth.
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Writer(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "In the House" | C.L. Smooth, Pete Rock | Duke, Odindo, Penn, Phillips | 5:27 |
| 2. | "Carmel City" | C.L. Smooth | Penn, Phillips | 3:52 |
| 3. | "I Get Physical" | C.L. Smooth | Penn, Phillips | 4:54 |
| 4. | "Sun Won't Come Out" | C.L. Smooth, Pete Rock | Penn, Phillips, Scales | 4:24 |
| 5. | "I Got a Love" | C.L. Smooth | Lewis, Penn, Phillips | 5:04 |
| 6. | "Escape" | Pete Rock | Lind, Odindo, Phillips, White | 5:14 |
| 7. | "The Main Ingredient" | Pete Rock, C.L. Smooth | Penn, Phillips | 5:17 |
| 8. | "Worldwide" | Rob-O, Pete Rock | Odindo, Phillips | 3:02 |
| 9. | "All the Places" | C.L. Smooth | Mizell, Mizell, Penn, Phillips | 5:39 |
| 10. | "Tell Me" | C.L. Smooth | Penn, Phillips | 4:17 |
| 11. | "Take You There" | C.L. Smooth, Pete Rock | Burke, Felder, Penn, Phillips, Wright | 4:47 |
| 12. | "Searching" | C.L. Smooth | Penn, Phillips | 4:45 |
| 13. | "Check It Out" | C.L. Smooth | Lyle, Penn, Phillips | 3:57 |
| 14. | "In the Flesh" | C.L. Smooth, Rob-O, Deda, Pete Rock | Dida, Odindo, Penn, Phillips | 5:48 |
| 15. | "It's on You" | C.L. Smooth | Penn, Phillips | 5:21 |
| 16. | "Get on the Mic" | C.L. Smooth | Penn, Phillips | 3:50 |
Credits
- Mixed by: Jamey Staub (track 1-7, 9-14, 16), Rod Hui (track 8, 15).
- Recorded by: Jamey Staub (track 1-7, 9-14, 16), Rod Hui (track 8, 15).
- Production Coordinator: Ruddy Phillips.
- Art Direction/Design: Mary Ann Dibs.
- Photography: Danny Clinch.
- Styling: Cathie Arquilla.
- Management & Direction: All Out Management