Artist: Kutmaster KurtTitle: Redneck GamesRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill Low-Key Heinzelman
Best known for his work with the legendary Kool Keith, artist/DJ/producer Kutmasta Kurt has long been revered as one of the underground’s hidden talents. While he has dabbled in the limelight by producing classic remixes for the Beastie Boys’ “Body Movin” and Linkin Park’s “In The End”, Kurt has remained a relative mystery to the average Hip-hop fan. Looking to help change all of that is Kurt’s Redneck Games (Waxploitation), a compilation full of his best work over the years. For those not familiar with Kurt’s work, Redneck Games is a perfect place for you to start. However, even if you have followed Kurt’s career from day one, the compilation will certainly not disappoint due to the variety of artists featured.
Kurt’s two biggest hits, Beastie Boys “Body Movin’ Remix” and Linkin Park’s “In The End Remix” are of course featured on the album, but they are not the only classic cuts Kurt has produced. The Dilated People song that put them on the map, “Work The Angles”, is one of Kurt’s most overlooked gems, as Kutmasta’s hard hitting drums and acute keys provide the perfect boom bap backdrop for Iriscience and Evidence. Rasco’s “Ready To Rock With Us” finds Kurt cooking up a razor sharp violin loop that is too ill to even describe. However, if that was not enough to prove he has some crazy skills, Kurt goes all out on Resorte’s Spanish rock remix of “Brota”. With a combination of edgy guitar riffs and lightening quick DJ cuts, Kurt proves he can produce on a variety of levels.
With a wide range of artists and beats to sink your teeth into, Kutmasta Kurt’s Redneck Games is an extremely satisfying compilation that should please long time fans and new jacks alike. Whether he is crafting classic beats for Linkin Park, the Beastie Boys, PMD or Kool Keith, Kutmasta Kurt has let his music done his talking, and it has certainly spoke loud. Redneck Games is an album that anyone can enjoy; no matter if you live in a red state or blue state, or you’re rockin’ a mullet or cornrows.