Warp, 2001
My review of Vocal Studies + Uprock Narratives is long overdue. This is one sweet release. Scott Herren (aka Delarosa and Asora, aka Savath & Savalas) has a knack for wrapping hip-hop snippets in catchy grooves. A couple of the best tracks—“Nuno” and “7th Message”—have already appeared on compilations—Warp:Routine and Rapid Transit, respectively. Nonetheless, there are some other cool cut-up masterpieces, including the diverse “Radio Attack,” with its amusing radio DJ-inspired intro and outro and “Point to B,” which takes vocal manipulation to the extreme with a stuttering rap that complements the beat perfectly. My only complaint about this release is its mastering—the levels seem way too high on the CD. I hope the vinyl fairs better, because this material deserves a pristine presentation.