This album is dope to me for a number of reasons: It’s produced by legendary Cadet icon, Charles Stepney and features arrangements from Stepney as well as Birmingham, Alabama bassist Cleve Eaton who provides the low end on the album, plus Earth Wind and Fire’s Maurice White is on drums. Maiden Voyage contains a mystical version of the title track, a spirited version of the Stepney produced, Rotary Connection recorded Les Fleur, and quite a few of my favorite samples. However, my grand discovery and The Beatminerz selection, Only When I’m Dreaming shows how a beautiful gem can be transformed into a haunting, urban soundscape on Smif N Wessun’s Hellucination. Still have dreams of becoming a MPC toting producer? Throw this album on and get to work!
