Grandmaster Flash, 'The Bridge' (Adrenaline/Strut)
A more reliable guide to the '80s than usual.
By Thomas Golianopoulos 02.19.09 5:25 PM
Flash's first studio album in more than two decades isn't for wallflowers. "Tribute to the Breakdancer" and "Here Comes My DJ" (with the effusive DJ Kool of "Let Me Clear My Throat" fame) showcase the legendary turntablist's ear for party starters. Overall, The Bridge has a very Reagan-era vibe, and not just due to appearances by KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane; the synth-laden "Unpredictable" rivals Timbaland's recent '80s-influenced productions. Flash's experimentation with 21st-century slang, however, isn't as successful -- the sluggish "Swagger," featuring Snoop Dogg and Red Café, is as generic as its title.












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