Record Reviews

Get It On Productions

(Castrato)

Right now, the world needs more rap-rock fusion like another season of Temptation Island. Thankfully, Austin's Get It On Productions bypass most of the knuckle-dragging mookishness and head straight for a slippery, air-tight groove. The four-piece's debut hews much closer to Prince in his "Sexy MF" days than the typical Family Values fare, substituting jazz-tempered cohesiveness for Limp alpha-male posturing. Main vocalist Alvin Dedeaux possesses a relaxed, steady flow, and moves easily from rhyming to ranting without sounding forced either way. Guitarist Robert Martinez knows when to lay back with the wah-wah vamps and when to drive straight up the middle with the power chords. Bassist Sean Hopper and drummer Trevor Detling hardly seem to break a sweat, yet manage to fill in all the holes and create a seamlessly funky panorama. Various local musicians, including Mark Addison on keys, cellist Sara Nelson, and saxophonist Carlos Sosa, provide just enough filigree to keep things interesting. An opening nod to Stravinsky and entertaining spoken-word rant about our soon-to-return Texas heat are but two instances that suggest GIOP know more than they're letting on, and while this self-titled effort sometimes comes up a little short in the originality department, it's a whole lot more worthwhile than Lenny Kravitz.