Blakroc - What You Do To Me (feat. Billy Danze, Jim Jones and Nicole Wray)

What You Do To Me (Feat. Billy Danze, Jim Jones & Nicole Wray) by Blakroc  
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I've been listening to the Blakroc album for two weeks now. Obviously, "Coochie," the track featuring ODB and Ludacris is one of the best first album tracks of the decade. "Coochie," however good, is not what keeps bringing me back to the album. That would be the interplay between the almost minimalist usage of the Black Keys, and specifically whatever tracks feature Nicole Wray.

Frankly, I'd give this whole thing back (maybe not "Coochie") to hear what Nicole Wray could do on a full album with the Black Keys. She is almost certainly the highlight of the Blackroc album, appearing on four tracks, one of which features only her.

This, of course, is the same Nicole who was discovered by Timbaland and Missy Elliot, who scored a few hits of her own and helped along those of a few other stars, Elliot included. From her Wikipedia entry, it sounds like she's almost been a casualty of the record industry. I say, let her do an album with the Black Keys, or White Stripes, or whoever - she sounds great with live drums and guitars behind her.

Whatever Damon Dash did to bring this album together is good. He's using the riffs and beats of one of the best garage blues bands out there as a heavy bottom for MCs that run the gamut, from Raekwon and RZA to Q-Tip and Pharoahe Monch. The album is cohesive, has flow and is of a length that when it's over you not only want to start it again, but actually do.

Of the four tracks featuring Wray, I posted "What You Do To Me" because it's got the whole package: you've got vocals from the Keys themselves, killer verses from Billy Danze of M.O.P. and Jim Jones, and Wray bringing it home between and behind choruses and verses throughout the song.

For more, check these out, including Wray's solo appearance on the Blakroc album:

Blakroc (Official Site)

Blakroc - Why Can't I Forget Him (feat. Nicole Wray)

Blakroc - Dollaz & Sense (feat. RZA and Pharoahe Monch)

Blakroc - Coochie (feat. ODB and Ludacris)

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