Review of Cobra's self-titled Artists Only! Release

Out of all the longer-term DJs, there are only a couple that I really check for when they release something new. Despite my penchant for conscious DJs, Cobra (formerly Mad Cobra) is one who I still enjoy listening to. I kind of dug "Flex," and got a kick out of the four tracks he released in the mid-90s with hooks based on "The Flintstones."

Cobra's been a little quiet the last few years with only a few unremarkable albums and singles, but as part of Artists Only! recent onslaught of reggae releases comes Cobra's latest full-length self-titled effort.

The album kicks off with an interesting collaboration with MIA emcee C.L. Smooth titled "Gunslingers." Since his split with hip-hop producer Pete Rock, not much has been heard from him, but this return pairing with Cobra works out pretty well. Production by Hassan is relatively solid. Also on the track is an unknown rapper named Brick Game who is OK, but brings nothing special to the cut.

I also dug the slow-drawn out Computer Paul production on "Sorry" (with Fiona on backup vocals), the strange-but-intriguing production on "Door Knob" (provided by John Forte), the aggressive "Ants in a Milk," and the classic Cobra style of "Ma Fans." For the more R&B-oriented listener, "I Didn't Know" (featuring Calivin Richardson) or "Between da Sheets" (featuring Monifah) should fit the bill. "I Didn't Know" works significantly better, as Richardson's productions and vocals add a lot to the track. It vaguely reminds me of Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me" as far as style.

There are a couple places where the album falls flat. The most notable is the painfully awful collaboration with Queen Pen titled "Da Money," where everything that could be wrong, is. I also wasn't particularly fond of his duet with Derrick Parker on "Gangsta Roll," which incorporates the melody of El Debarge's 80s hit "Rhythm of the Night" (which, has already been used in reggae tracks).

While not Cobra's most solid album, it is his most solid album since the mid-90s. Worth checking out for Cobra fans.

For more information, visit http://www.artistsonly.com/cobra.htm.

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