Destination Funk

Stretch and Spyda tag team on a funk driven LP that Willie Hutch, Parliament, and Curtis Mayfield would endorse emphatically. These two MC's are outstandingly comfortable and confident with their vocal prescence on the tracks. Though their chemistry isn't that of predecessors Das EFX, Outkast, or Dre and Snoop, almost the entire album is fluid continuity that is demanded of veteran artists. Spyda's production is in classic form as a notched, cohesive brew of nostalgia for those of us raised on urban music in the mid 80's-early 90's, syphoning influences reminiscent of Roger and Zapp, Patrice Rushen, and S.O.S. Band. Both rappers seem intolerant and annoyed with the current state of hip-hop which may be more indicative of a generational gap between their inspirations and today's music. The subject content of this album tends to pedulum between admonishments of pop culture and the traditional bravado of their own talent and swagger. It's fairly brief in topic variety which leaves for more to be desired but makes for easy listening. Not to be pigeon-holed, a couple of tracks veer off the beaten path to stir in smooth R&B, edgy rock, and soulful gospel elements which somewhat disrupt the flow of the set if playing the entire LP, but offers something refreshed and exotic as standalone songs. Without any profanity and lack of mature subject matter, the album seems a bit too sanitized for fans of the likes of 2 Chainz, Plies, or Rick Ross, but more suitable for children whose parents favor Common, Pharell, or Chamillionaire.